A silver influx could occur in the future. Mercury deposits have been trapped in the Arctic for centuries, but global warming could lead to their release into the environment. Mercury is toxic and can cause serious health problems in high concentrations. Melting permafrost could also have other ecological effects that threaten humans and ecosystems.
Thawing of mercury
The Arctic is covered in permafrost, which is exactly what it sounds like: a vast area of ice that remains frozen forever. That was the case until recently. Climate change is causing record high temperatures and slowly thawing the permafrost. Buried within the ice are tons of mercury waiting to be released. This release could have adverse health and environmental effects, reports a study published in the journal Nature. Environmental Research Letter“The Arctic may be a giant mercury bomb waiting to explode,” said study co-author Josh Wess. statement.
Mercury has been trapped in the Arctic for thousands of years, and natural air currents pick it up in the atmosphere and push it up toward the Arctic, “where it gets absorbed by plants and accumulates as a toxin in the soil,” he said. Yale Environment 360“Over the centuries, mercury has accumulated in the frozen soil, and today, Arctic permafrost may contain more mercury than the atmosphere, oceans, and all living organisms combined.” Mercury content in the Arctic has increased especially in the last 500 years as a result of industrialization. Permafrost covers 25% of the Arctic, but certain areas are at risk of losing it completely by 2050.
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To determine the mercury hazard, the researchers took deeper permafrost cores than had been taken before. “Scientists analyzed mercury in sediments taken from riverbanks and sandbars, and down to deeper soil layers,” the researchers said. Independent“This method gives us a more accurate picture of how much mercury is being released and how much more could potentially be released as Arctic permafrost continues to melt,” he said. The results of the study provide higher mercury estimates than previous studies.
Long-term damage
Mercury is a toxic metal that poses a threat to both humans and other wildlife. “Mercury accumulates in the food chain over time, and continued ingestion, even at low levels, can pose serious health risks,” says The Independent. “In communities that rely heavily on fishing and hunting, this can mean a slow and steady increase in mercury levels in the diet.” If ingested in large quantities, there is a risk of mercury poisoning, which can cause coughing, nausea, seizures, and even brain damage in extreme cases. Fortunately, mercury poisoning is not necessarily an immediate threat. Mercury takes time to accumulate in the food chain, and the risk from drinking water is minimal. Additionally, “some of the mercury released by permafrost is buried in river sediments, but it is not clear how much is trapped,” says Yale Environment 360.
Heavy metals aren't the only culprit Melting permafrostThe ice prison also contains large amounts of carbon dioxide. Pathogens “For thousands of years, the Arctic has been trapping toxic metals and keeping the planet healthy and happy.” Popular Mechanics“But after two centuries of relentless reliance on fossil fuels, this particular environmental bill may soon be due.”