Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Mercury in Mackenzie River delta dramatically higher than previously believed

Mercury in Mackenzie River delta dramatically higher than previously believed

June 17, 2009

Edmonton-University of Alberta researchers conducting a water study in the Mackenzie River Delta have found a dramatically higher delivery of mercury from the Mackenzie River to the Arctic Ocean than determined in previous studies.

Researcher Jennifer Graydon analyzed water in the Mackenzie River as it flowed north into the Beaufort Sea. She collected samples for three months and discovered the total amount of mercury exported from the river during that three-month period was equal to an entire year's worth of mercury calculated in previous studies.




Graydon's research and previous studies measured export of all chemical forms of mercury in water including methyl mercury.

"Methyl mercury is a neurotoxin and it's primarily passed on to humans through contaminated fish muscle," Graydon said. "This leaves northern communities vulnerable, because a large part of their diet is Arctic fish species and Beluga whales." Gradyon says existing studies already show Beluga whales in the western Arctic have higher mercury levels in their flesh than Belugas in the eastern Arctic. The Mackenzie River empties in the Beaufort Sea at the western edge of the Northwest Territories.

Graydon's new estimates were confined to the three months the research team spent on the delta while previous research used data to model mercury export over the course of an entire year.

"Previous annual mercury delivery estimates are premature because of the understudied effects of spring ice-jamming and of 45,000 delta lakes," said Graydon. "That influence water chemistry as the Mackenzie River passes through the delta."

"There are very few point sources for mercury in the Arctic," said Graydon. "Mercury is a metal that undergoes long range transport so the Arctic is getting mercury from a global pool." Graydon says the biggest contributor of man-made mercury pollution is coal-fired power production.

This summer U of A researchers will return to the Mackenzie region after it floods to study mercury levels in the thousands of lakes in the delta when flooded by the river. Graydon's Mackenzie River research was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment earlier this year.

University of Alberta



Related Mercury Current Events and Mercury News Articles Mercury Current Events and Mercury News RSS Mercury Current Events and Mercury News RSS
Consumption of certain fish during pregnancy associated with poorer cognitive performance
Children who eat fish more than 3 times per week show a worse performance in the general cognitive, executive and perceptual-manipulative areas.

Study finds mercury levels in children with autism and those developing typically are the same
In a large population-based study published online today, researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute report that after adjusting for a number of factors, typically developing children and children with autism have similar levels of mercury in their blood streams. Mercury is a heavy metal found in other studies to adversely affect the developing nervous system.

Report examines hidden costs of energy production and use
A new report from the National Research Council examines and, when possible, estimates "hidden" costs of energy production and use -- such as the damage air pollution imposes on human health -- that are not reflected in market prices of coal, oil, other energy sources, or the electricity and gasoline produced from them.

How the Moon produces its own water
The Moon is a big sponge that absorbs electrically charged particles given out by the Sun. These particles interact with the oxygen present in some dust grains on the lunar surface, producing water.

A woman in space
In the early years of the "space race" (1957-1975) two men sought to test a scientifically simple yet culturally complicated theory: that women might be innately better suited for space travel than men.

UT Knoxville and ORNL researchers reveal key to how bacteria clear mercury pollution
Mercury pollution is a persistent problem in the environment. Human activity has lead to increasingly large accumulations of the toxic chemical, especially in waterways, where fish and shellfish tend to act as sponges for the heavy metal.

NAE announces award winners John Casani and Sheila Widnall
During its 2009 annual meeting, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) will present two awards for extraordinary impacts on the engineering profession.

Simulation suggests rocky exoplanet has bizarre atmosphere
So accustomed are we to the sunshine, rain, fog and snow of our home planet that we find it next to impossible to imagine a different atmosphere and other forms of precipitation.

Cosmic Rays Hit Space Age High
Planning a trip to Mars? Take plenty of shielding. According to sensors on NASA's ACE (Advanced Composition Explorer) spacecraft, galactic cosmic rays have just hit a Space Age high.

Air pollutants from abroad a growing concern, says new report
Plumes of harmful air pollutants can be transported across oceans and continents -- from Asia to the United States and from the United States to Europe -- and have a negative impact on air quality far from their original sources, says a new report by the National Research Council.
More Mercury Current Events and Mercury News Articles
Diagnosis: Mercury: Money, Politics, and Poison

Diagnosis: Mercury: Money, Politics, and Poison
by Jane M. Hightower M.D. (Author)

One morning in 2000, Dr. Jane Hightower walked into her exam room to find a patient with disturbing symptoms she couldn’t explain. The woman was nauseated, tired, and had difficulty concentrating, but a litany of tests revealed no apparent cause. She was not alone. Dr. Hightower saw numerous patients with similar, inexplicable ailments, and eventually learned that there were many more around the nation and the world. They had little in common—except a healthy appetite for certain fish.

Dr. Hightower’s quest for answers led her to mercury, a poison that has been plaguing victims for centuries and is now showing up in seafood. But this “explanation” opened a Pandora’s Box of thornier questions. Why did some fish from supermarkets and restaurants contain such high levels...

Attwood Custom-Fit Mercury Motor Covers, 4-Stroke (EFI, 40HP, 50HP, 60HP)

Attwood Custom-Fit Mercury Motor Covers, 4-Stroke (EFI, 40HP, 50HP, 60HP)
by Attwood

4-stroke EFI 40 - 60 HP

Mercury Meltdown: Revolution

Mercury Meltdown: Revolution
by Ignition Entertainment Ltd

Mercury Meltdown Revolution is a brain-teasing puzzle game that challenges players to immerse themselves in a colorful world of sci-fi machines, crazy characters, and bubbling test tubes. Using the Wii Remote, players guide a liquid mercury 'blob' around traps, door switches, spikes, moving floors, and other hazardous elements in order to complete the level.

Pro.Fit International FO-72-08-G3 Vehicle Specific Mount VSM G3 for Select Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Models

Pro.Fit International FO-72-08-G3 Vehicle Specific Mount VSM G3 for Select Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Models
by Pro.Fit International

Pro.Fit International Vehicle Specific Mounts install neatly behind your vehicle’s dashboard panels providing a low-profile, professional mounting platform for all your mobile electronics. Safely and legally keep your electronic devices at your fingertips on the open road. Pro.Fit VSM G3 (Generation 3) mounts include a 4-Hole AMPS adaptor plate, and a J-Stem (optional swivel arm). Their ball and socket mounting pattern allow for quick release and fit perfectly with Garmin Nuvi GPS units. All VSMs are compatible with all Pro.Fit International Holders and come with easy to follow installation instructions and photos. Proudly designed and manufactured in the USA for the following vehicles: 2007-2009 Ford Expedition 2007-2008 Ford F-150 2008-2009 Ford F-250 SD 2008-2009 Ford F-350 SD...

Mercury

Mercury
by Long-View

Despite sharing a weakness for sweeping, bittersweet guitar rock with Coldplay, Long-view is not just another smudged Xerox of the original. Mercury finds the British group not only grasping for its own identity but other, more elusive things. Melodies unravel slowly, each note of every song aims to pull at the heartstrings, and the lyrics seem to indicate that singer Rob McVey spends just about every night flopping around his bed mulling all kinds of existential conundrums. But redemption is always around the corner in storming tunes like "Further" and "Will You Wait Here." And at least they don't sound like Travis--much. So a work in progress, to be sure, but the end result could be something quite fetish-worthy. --Aidin Vaziri

Pocket Mercury Thermometer Max Reg (box of 3 - NOT FOR ORAL USE)

Pocket Mercury Thermometer Max Reg (box of 3 - NOT FOR ORAL USE)
by Sper Scientific

Mercury column remains at the maximum temperature reached until it is shaken down like a clinical thermometer. White backed, total immersion, 6" (155mm) long, in blue plastic holder. NOT FOR ORAL USE.

Mercury in Retrograde: A Novel

Mercury in Retrograde: A Novel
by Paula Froelich (Author)

When Mercury is in retrograde, the only guarantee is anything that can go wrong, will.

Penelope Mercury, an intrepid reporter at the New York Telegraph, has pounded the pavement for five years from city borough to borough, carrying out her boss's eccentric orders to break stories that seem inconsequential to everyone but him. Finally, she is inches away from being promoted to her dream job -- covering courtroom drama for the paper -- but after one spectacularly disastrous day, she is fired instead.

Lena "Lipstick Carcrash" Lipp encrass has a pretty fabulous life, even by a socialite's standards, as a top editor at the high fashion magazine Y. Long lunches with her girlfriends and afternoons spent shopping at Bergdorf's are all in a day's work. But when Lena's always indulgent parents...

Zoo York Mercury Lounge Flannel - Blue X Lrg

Zoo York Mercury Lounge Flannel - Blue X Lrg
by ZOO YORK

Lounge your way into fresh threads. Small Zoo York patch on chest. Authenticity patch on side. Logo-embossed button front, button cuffs. 2 button chest pockets.

Genuine Mercury Dime Coin Cufflinks in 14kt. Gold Overlay Setting with Presentation Box

Genuine Mercury Dime Coin Cufflinks in 14kt. Gold Overlay Setting with Presentation Box
by Cuff-Daddy

Genuine coin cufflinks are a great way to celebrate the history of our country. This set features a genuine mercury dime with a date ranging from 1916-1945, dates in which the "Winged Liberty Head Dime" was produced. Each coin is in good condition and only the fronts (aka. "heads") are shown on the cufflinks. Cufflinks arrive in chrome gift box suitable for gifting. Covered by Cuff-Daddy's Satisfaction guarantee. Great for wedding parties!

Chessex Dice: Polyhedral 7-Die Speckled Dice Set - Mercury

Chessex Dice: Polyhedral 7-Die Speckled Dice Set - Mercury
by Chessex

CHX25323 Mercury Speckled Dice Set of 7 by Chessex

Mercury Speckled Dice Set of 7 by Chessex

© 2009 BrightSurf.com