气候变化重塑全球汞循环

Aryeh Feinberg1 and Alfonso Saiz-Lopez1 Human-driven mercury emissions over millennia have increased its concentrations in the atmosphere, soils, and oceans (1). Once in the environment, it can undergo methylation where a methyl group binds to inorganic mercury, forming methylmercury, which is a highly toxic organic compound. In addition, mercury salts (e.g., mercury sulfate) have been historically used as industrial catalysts in chemical plants, producing methylmercury as a byproduct. The concentration of methylmercury multiplies as it moves up the food chain, harming top predators, such as humans, by impairing their reproduction, neurological, and cardiovascular functions (2). Research and policy have generally focused on controlling the anthropogenic emissions of mercury to reduce its public health and environmental damages. …