Mercury

Mercury is a naturally occurring chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80, known for being a dense, silvery metal that is liquid at room temperature. It is found in rocks, soils and the atmosphere and can be released through volcanic activity as well as human activities such as coal combustion and mining. Mercury is toxic in certain forms, particularly methylmercury, which can accumulate in aquatic food webs and pose risks to wildlife and human health.

Image: Present day Hg redox chemistry - Conceptual representation
Atmospheric changes linked to mercury pollution in tropical oceansScience

Atmospheric changes linked to mercury pollution in tropical oceans

Atmospheric mercury chemistry has evolved over time due to changes in atmospheric composition, especially for changing concentrations of bromine radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and ozone Summary:…
SourceSourceMarch 7, 2026 Full article
Image: ringed seal (Pusa hispida)
Arctic warming and toxic pollutants linked to malnutrition in ringed sealsScience

Arctic warming and toxic pollutants linked to malnutrition in ringed seals

New research shows a single year of warmer-than-average Arctic temperatures can cause malnutrition in Arctic seals, intensifying risks to Inuit food security and northern ecosystems…
SourceSourceFebruary 23, 2026 Full article
Image: Tinned Tuna
Tinned tuna contaminated with mercury: NGOsNews

Tinned tuna contaminated with mercury: NGOs

Paris, France | AFP Tinned tuna in many European countries is contaminated with dangerous levels of mercury, according to two environment pressure groups who called…
SourceSourceOctober 29, 2024 Full article
Image: US Supreme Court Building
Supreme Court lets stand rules to curb mercury, methane emissionsNews

Supreme Court lets stand rules to curb mercury, methane emissions

Washington, United States (AFP) - The US Supreme Court declined on Friday to block environmental regulations aimed at reducing harmful emissions of mercury from power…
SourceSourceOctober 5, 2024 Full article
A 2022 drone image of the Yukon River and its floodplain downstream from Beaver, Alaska, shows accumulations of sediments, which harbor the toxic metal mercury
“Mercury bomb” threatens millions as Arctic temperatures soarClimate

“Mercury bomb” threatens millions as Arctic temperatures soar

The rapid melting of Arctic permafrost, driven by climate change, has unleashed a significant environmental threat as vast reserves of toxic mercury are released into…
Adrian AlexandreAdrian AlexandreAugust 15, 2024 Full article
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Rising mercury levels in soil could be linked to climate change, study suggestsClimate

Rising mercury levels in soil could be linked to climate change, study suggests

A new study highlights a concerning connection between climate change and rising mercury levels in soil, suggesting that current global efforts to control mercury emissions…
Adrian AlexandreAdrian AlexandreAugust 14, 2024 Full article
Image: Dolphins in the ocean
Research finds dolphins with elevated mercury levels in Florida and Georgia, USScience

Research finds dolphins with elevated mercury levels in Florida and Georgia, US

In a study with potential implications for the oceans and human health, scientists reported elevated mercury levels in dolphins in the U.S. Southeast, with the…
SourceSourceJune 14, 2024 Full article
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Climate change and mercury pollution stressed plants for millions of yearsScience

Climate change and mercury pollution stressed plants for millions of years

The link between massive flood basalt volcanism and the end-Triassic (201 million years ago) mass-extinction is commonly accepted. However, exactly how volcanism led to the…
SourceSourceMay 1, 2024 Full article