Worrying: Not only water but mercury is also flowing in rivers around the world, slow poison for health, there is a risk of these diseases.
The increasing mercury in rivers is an invisible danger for wildlife and birds. This toxic metal gets deposited in fish and other aquatic creatures through micro-organisms. When birds and wild animals eat these creatures, mercury reaches their body and affects the nervous system. This affects their fertility.
Now not only water but also the extremely dangerous element mercury is flowing in the rivers of the world. This mercury reaching the oceans through rivers has now more than doubled compared to before the industrial era. This has been revealed in a joint research by Tulane university and international scientists. Mercury is not only a growing threat to aquatic life but also to human health, food chain, and biodiversity.
The researchers conducted this study with the help of a computer model called Mosart-HG. The model analyzed the amount of mercury reaching the oceans through rivers, which is much more today than before the industrial era. The results of the model match the sediment samples collected from coastal areas around the world, which proves the accuracy of the study. Before 1850, rivers carried an average of 390 metric tons of mercury to the oceans every year. Today this amount has reached close to 1,000 metric tons.
Deadly for birds and wildlife
The increasing mercury in rivers is an invisible threat to wildlife and birds. This toxic metal accumulates in fish and other aquatic creatures through micro-organisms. When birds and wild animals eat these creatures, mercury enters their body and affects the nervous system. This affects their fertility.
Dangerous for human health
Mercury is a slow poison for humans. It damages the nervous system, having a detrimental effect on memory, attention, language, and motor skills. It is even more dangerous for pregnant women, as it can affect the development of the fetus. The risk of kidney and heart diseases also increases.
America has the highest mercury pollution at 41%
Mercury pollution has increased the fastest in North and South America since 1850. 41% of the total increase in the world came from here. After this, South-East Asia accounted for 22% and South Asia for 19%.
Horrific situation in the amazon River
More than 200 metric tons of mercury is now flowing into the amazon river every year, 75% of which is coming from human activities. Deforestation and gold mining are the major reasons for this. Mercury levels in China's Yangtze River have more than doubled due to industrial activities. The rivers here alone are bringing up to 70% of the regional mercury.
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