Environmental Clean-up: Mercury

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Protection from Mercury

Bioremediation

Genetically engineered microorganisms are being developed for efficient cleanup.

Algae and fungi absorb mercury from water and soil.

Use bacteria (Geobacter, Pseudomonas) to convert methylmercury into less toxic forms.

Environmental Measures

Increase public awareness about mercury risks and safer alternatives.

Test fish mercury levels and issue public consumption advisories.

Use water treatment technologies like activated carbon filters to remove mercury from contaminated water.

Prevention at Source

Train miners in mercury-free gold extraction methods, such as borax use or gravity separation.

Replace mercury thermometers and fluorescent lights with digital and LED alternatives.

Regulate emissions from coal plants using mercury capture technologies.

Effects on Human Health

Affected Glands, Hormones, and Neuronal Processes

Developmental Effects

In children, mercury exposure can interfere with brain development, affecting neuronal growth, synaptic pruning, and learning.

Endocrine Disruption (Inorganic Mercury)

Adrenal Gland: Changes in mercury levels can disrupt the production of cortisol and other stress hormones, leading to mood swings and stress-related symptoms.

Thyroid Gland: Mercury exposure may interfere with thyroid hormone production (T3 and T4), affecting metabolism, growth, and energy regulation. Symptoms include fatigue, weight changes, and sensitivity to cold.

Neurons and the Central Nervous System (CNS)

Impaired Calcium Ion Channels: Mercury affects calcium signaling, which is crucial for neurotransmitter release, leading to coordination problems, memory issues, and motor dysfunction.

Neurotransmission Disruption: Mercury binds to neurons, interfering with synaptic transmission, causing symptoms like tremors, cognitive dysfunction, and mood disorders.

Severe Cases

Effects on Children (Prenatal Exposure): Lower IQ, motor skill impairments, and developmental delays.

Minamata Disease: Numbness, paralysis, vision loss, and developmental disabilities from severe methylmercury poisoning.

Neurological Symptoms

Long-Term Exposure (Chronic): Muscle weakness, memory loss, impaired coordination, and cognitive decline.

Short-Term Exposure (Acute): Headaches, tremors, mood swings, and irritability.

Exposure to Mercury

Forms of Mercury

Inorganic Mercury (Hg²⁺): Found in industrial waste, toxic when ingested or absorbed.

Methylmercury (CH₃Hg⁺): Highly toxic organic form bioaccumulated in aquatic food chains.

Elemental Mercury (Hg⁰): Vapour inhalation is toxic, but liquid ingestion is less harmful.

Pathways to Humans

Environment: Inhaling mercury in polluted air or drinking contaminated water near industrial zones.

Occupation: Gold miners, factory workers, and healthcare professionals exposed to mercury vapors or spills.

Diet: Eating fish or seafood contaminated with methylmercury (e.g., tuna, swordfish).

Environmental Clean-up: Mercury

Environmental Source of Mercury

Contaminated Environment

Bioaccumulation occurs in aquatic organisms, concentrating in large predatory fish like tuna and swordfish.

Mercury in water bodies is converted by microorganisms into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that bioaccumulates in fish.

Human-Made Sources

Industrial Processes: Mercury is used in batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and chlor-alkali plants, which release mercury waste.

Artisanal Gold Mining: Mercury is used to extract gold, often dumped into rivers or vaporized into the atmosphere.

Coal-Burning Power Plants: Mercury vapor is released as a byproduct, settling in soil and water.

Natural Sources

Natural deposits leach mercury into groundwater and nearby ecosystems.

Forest fires emit mercury stored in vegetation and soil.

Volcanic eruptions release mercury vapor into the air.