Put the Cure in Mercury

Mercury contamination in fish declines when emissions go down

Posted at 2:41 PM on 18 Sep 2007

Mercury contamination of waterways and marine life doesn't have to be an ongoing problem -- all we have to do is limit industrial mercury emissions. Easy! After a seven-year experiment in a Canada lake, researchers publishing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that mercury concentrations in fish would decline relatively quickly if their ecosystem was no longer contaminated. So someday, if we all lobby hard enough against mercury-spewing (and otherwise evil) coal plants, you may be able to eat your sushi without fear of being poisoned. But we'd still watch out for the Kool-Aid.

sources: ScienceNOW, Edmonton Journal, New Kerala

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	Read more about: coal \| fishing \| food \| health \| news \| toxics \| all of these topics Tools: print \| email \| write to the editor \| subscribe \| RSS Share: digg \| hugg \| stumbleupon \| reddit \| newsvine \| fark \| facebook Bookmark: del.icio.us \| google \| yahoo Put the Cure in Mercury Mercury contamination in fish declines when emissions go down Posted at 2:41 PM on 18 Sep 2007 Mercury contamination of waterways and marine life doesn't have to be an ongoing problem -- all we have to do is limit industrial mercury emissions. Easy! After a seven-year experiment in a Canada lake, researchers publishing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that mercury concentrations in fish would decline relatively quickly if their ecosystem was no longer contaminated. So someday, if we all lobby hard enough against mercury-spewing (and otherwise evil) coal plants, you may be able to eat your sushi without fear of being poisoned. But we'd still watch out for the Kool-Aid. sources: ScienceNOW, Edmonton Journal, New Kerala ADVERTISING POLICY < Previous \| Next > Comments: There are no comments. Be the first to post! You are not logged in. Thus, you cannot post a comment. If you have a Gristmill account, log in below. If you don't have a Gristmill account, well, by all means go make one! Meet you back here in five. Username: Password: Forgot your password? Enter your username and click: The comments of Grist users reflect the opinions of those individuals only, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Grist, its staff, its board members, their psychotherapists, or their aestheticians. Got it?	Also in Grist No Beefeater Allowed Celebs go meatless at vegetarian rehab centers. Slow Down, Slow Food! Slow Food Nation had tasty, sustainable food but overshot its mandate. America's Top Sheaf Should you buy recycled or certified paper? Umbra offers page advice. Spokes People Tips on how to bike to work. The Week's Most Popular Viewed Commented Emailed Alaskan greens say McCain's VP pick has anti-environmental record The eco-rundown on Alaska guv Sarah Palin, John McCain's veep pick See at a glance where the presidential contenders stand on climate and energy issues Ask Umbra on recycled vs. certified paper 15 Green Colleges and Universities A look at Palin's preferred method of killing wolves Alaskan greens say McCain's VP pick has anti-environmental record The eco-rundown on Alaska guv Sarah Palin, John McCain's veep pick VP acceptance speech hits on energy issues New sea-level rise research, part 1: 'Most likely' 0.8 to 2.0 meters by 2100 Stunning interview with incoherent GOP denier running for Congress The eco-rundown on Alaska guv Sarah Palin, John McCain's veep pick Enviros generally pleased with Biden's record on environmental issues Ask Umbra on buying big cars Alaskan greens say McCain's VP pick has anti-environmental record How to start composting From the Archives Don't Worry, White Billionaires, We Haven't Forgotten You. Native Americans likely to be hit especially hard by climate change, says report. Fear to Tread. Alt-fuel industry recycles rubber tires, contributes to air pollution. Nuisance Review. Judge tosses out lawsuit brought by California against automakers. News Archives