Mercury in the atmosphere dropped 70% in 20 years
In the last 20 years, mercury levels in the atmosphere have declined by nearly 70%, mainly due to reducing emissions from human activities. But there is another problem: The floor is releasing more mercury.
Frank Augustin / AP
Mercury concentrations in the past two decades have been significantly reduced, especially due to reducing emissions caused by human activity. Still, soils – the largest natural reservoir of this toxic metal – continues to release it, and with greater intensity, warns a new study.
Mercury weather concentrations Has been reduced by nearly 70% since 2000, Concluded an investigation published in the magazine ACS ES & T AIR. This descent is mainly associated with the reduction of emissions caused by human Q.Eama Fossil fuels, waste incineration and mining.
“We have shown that global efforts to reduce pollution by overseas over four decades in the world have been the results of the world:” We have declined in the air around Everest in the last two decades, “said the author Indong Tong.
Toxic Mercury to human and environment
Mercury is released by environmental and humanistic processes. Some forms, especially methylmercurie, Is toxic to humanWere, and,, and,, and,, and,.. It affects the nervous system, especially in children and embryos.
Therefore, policies and regulations have been implemented to limit mercury emissions around the world.
Not only the poisonous metal
The fall of mercury levels can be seen as a positive sign of environmental policies Meeting of MinamataHas been in effect since 2017. This international meeting is aimed at Limit the major resources of mercury pollutionAnd its effect is measured by the levels of this element in somewhat atmosphere.
But there is another problem: The floor is releasing more mercury.
Although from the emissions of the human source, the researchers have identified it Emissions from the ground are gaining weight.
The largest natural reservoir in the soil mercury and can be re -released to the atmosphere – a phenomenon called the re -ISS publication – especially with the influence Changes in increased temperatures and vegetation.
Everest plants keep the last record
In order to distinguish between new emissions from human resources and earthly mercury re -sessions stored in the soil, researchers may notice Mercury isotope standards in the atmosphere.
However, the usual dimensions of atmospheric isotopes took place only a decade ago. Therefore, Tang, Ruu Sun and his colleagues wanted to rebuild information about the previous level of weather mercury, to understand how they changed.
To go back in time, researchers resorted to The leaves of a small permanent plant (androsus carpet) that grow on the top of the mountain of Everest. As with the trunk rings of the tree, this plant develops a new layer of external leaves every year, which reflects how its environment is.
When collecting old leaves samples in the middle of two Everest factories, the team received The idea of climate mercury levels since 1982.
Between 2000 and 2020, they found that the total climate concentrations of the basic mercury were down by 70%, and the geography emissions represent a large portion of the total annual emissions. At the moment, The soil is significantly higher than artificial resources (28%).
The authors of the study, although human emissions control procedures, should focus on further efforts The limit of soil re -sessions, especially in the case of climate change.
These resolutions have been linked to other studies data conducted in the Northern Hemisphere, which also indicates normal decline in mercury levels in the atmosphere in recent decades.
