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Century-old mercury pollution causing harm to polar bear population

Poisonous tides carrying harmful pollutants endanger wildlife and humans in polar regions

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Harmful contaminants carried by ocean currents pose a threat to wildlife and humans residing at the...
Harmful contaminants carried by ocean currents pose a threat to wildlife and humans residing at the Earth's poles.

Century-old mercury pollution causing harm to polar bear population

Hot Off the Press: Arctic Wildlife Continues to Suffer from Long-lasting Mercury Toxins

Old school mercury pollution from coal burning and gold mining has been haunting Arctic wildlife for over a century, according to a groundbreaking study in Nature Communications. Despite global efforts to tame emissions, mercury levels in top predators like polar bears and toothed whales remain alarmingly high.

Researchers attribute this unpleasant surprise to legacy pollution winding its way to the Arctic, powered by ocean currents. A team of scientists scrutinized over 700 environmental samples spanning Greenland over the past four decades. By investigating the chemical "signature" of mercury isotopes, they discovered that mercury levels in Arctic ecosystems have not plummeted and, in some cases, are still on the rise.

"This sheds light on the lack of a decrease in Arctic mercury levels," said Professor Rune Dietz, one of the study's co-authors, in a statement. "Transport of mercury from major sources like China to Greenland via ocean currents can take up to 150 years."

Mercury emitted from human activities can dance around the globe for about a year before landing on Earth. But once it settles in oceans, it disappears like a chameleon, lingering for centuries, slowly tiptoeing north through deep, chilly currents.

Case in point, Central West Greenland is under the wing of the Atlantic inflow courtesy of the Irminger Current in the North Atlantic, while other regions are bathed in mercury-laced water from Arctic Ocean currents.

In polar bears and toothed whales, mercury levels have skyrocketed to 20 to 30 times higher than pre-industrial levels.

"We haven't noticed any direct kills of top predators," Dietz explained to BBC our website via email, "but the loads in toothed whales and polar bears, as well as the Inuit populations in the most affected areas, are high enough to display neurological effects."

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can also wreak havoc on the immune system and reproductive health. The World Health Organization lists it among the top ten chemicals of major public health concern.

The findings of this study carry significant significance for the UN Minamata Convention, a worldwide agreement dedicated to reducing mercury pollution. Cutting emissions remains crucial, but the study suggests the road to recovery for the Arctic might take a few generations.

The team plans to delve deeper into mercury's impact on the fragile Arctic ecosystem. Dietz thinks modeling how long mercury takes to travel from primary emitters like China to various Arctic regions might be the key to understanding and eventually confronting the long-term threat.

fun Fact:

Dietz and his team discovered that mercury can travel over 12,000 miles on the wings of the North Atlantic Drift!

Learn More:

  • Where are the 10 coldest places on Earth?
  • Are polar bears actually white? The surprising truth
  • Does every fish and shellfish contain mercury? Separating myth from reality

Meet the Expert:

Professor Rune Dietz, a shining star in the Department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University, has dragged his research into the limelight with publications in illustrious peer-reviewed journals such as Environmental Research, Molecular Ecology, and Ecology and Evolution. Durable and steadfast, he remains dedicated to shining a light on the dark corners of the Arctic ecosystem.

  1. The study in Nature Communications has revealed that mercury levels in Arctic ecosystems, including top predators like polar bears and toothed whales, have not significantly decreased despite global efforts to reduce emissions.
  2. Mercury, a potent neurotoxin and a major public health concern, according to the World Health Organization, has been found to be 20 to 30 times higher in polar bears and toothed whales compared to pre-industrial levels.
  3. Mercury emitted from human activities can travel around the globe for about a year before settling in oceans, where it can linger for centuries.
  4. The research team plans to investigate further the impact of mercury on the fragile Arctic ecosystem, possibly modeling how long mercury takes to travel from primary emitters like China to various Arctic regions.
  5. The findings of this study carry significant implications for the UN Minamata Convention, a worldwide agreement dedicated to reducing mercury pollution, as they suggest a long road to recovery for the Arctic ecosystem.
  6. Climate change and environmental science play crucial roles in understanding the movement of pollutants like mercury across the globe, particularly in the Arctic.
  7. This research also underscores the importance of health and wellness, not just for humans, but for wildlife as well, as mercury can affect the neurological system, immune system, and reproductive health in both.

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