Global Mercury Study Reveals Widespread Contamination in Fishes and Wildlife: How Does This Affect People Eating Them?

Researchers have shown the alarming amount of mercury pollution in fish and wildlife worldwide in a groundbreaking research article published in Ecotoxicology.

This paper discusses the widespread occurrence of mercury and how it may affect the environment and human health under the heading "Global Mercury Concentrations in Biota: Their Use as a Basis for a Global Biomonitoring Framework."

Unusual Data Collected and Key Revelations

The study, headed by the Biodiversity Research Institute's (BRI) executive director and lead scientist David Evers, Ph.D., represents a significant turnaround in mercury research. The researchers gathered information from the Global Biotic Mercury Synthesis (GBMS) database, which provides insights into mercury concentrations across different species and habitats, by consulting a plethora of peer-reviewed literature.

Since 2013, BRI has meticulously collected over 588,000 data points from individual species sampled in over 4,100 places across 139 countries. This massive dataset offers a thorough understanding of mercury distribution and its ecological implications, spanning the joint efforts of 32 researchers over ten years.

The study's results highlight how widespread mercury pollution is in freshwater and marine settings. The amount of mercury in different species varies greatly; some fish, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals have dangerously high mercury levels.

Large predatory fish, including billfish, sharks, barracuda, and several species of grouper and mackerel, are especially concerning since their levels of methylmercury, the most hazardous form of mercury humans can consume, exceed acceptable limits. The freshwater systems in the South, parts of North America, and the Mediterranean Sea are geographical hotspots for mercury contamination.

How Does This Affect People Eating Them?

Mercury absorption varies depending on its form and exposure route. Elemental mercury is mainly absorbed through inhalation (80%) but minimally through ingestion (<1%). Methylmercury is readily absorbed regardless of exposure, with about 95% uptake through the lungs and skin.

Both types can impact the kidneys and brain by bridging placental and blood-brain barriers. Inorganic mercury compounds mainly collect in the kidneys, and the absorption rate varies depending on the type of salt. Mercury builds up in the kidneys, brain, liver, and central nervous system, among other organs.

Mercury is usually excreted in urine and feces but is slower than uptake, leading to tissue accumulation. It is also found in hair and breast milk, posing risks to infants because it crosses the placental barrier, affecting fetal development.

The Path to Global Action

The paper's publication coincides with global attempts to combat mercury contamination at a critical moment. Countries that have joined the Minamata Convention on Mercury must monitor and take steps to lessen the negative impacts of mercury pollution.

The GBMS database provides stakeholders and policymakers with the evidence-based information and data-driven insights they need to create focused actions and regulations. The report also emphasizes the critical need to step up global biomonitoring initiatives to protect biodiversity and public health.

As part of the Minamata Convention, BRI is still dedicated to furthering research on mercury and encouraging global cooperation to tackle this urgent environmental issue. Stakeholders want to guarantee future generations have a sustainable future by reducing the adverse effects of mercury contamination through ongoing research and awareness-raising campaigns.