Mercury
Mercury is a natural element, but it is also a toxic pollutant that could have devastating effects on wildlife and human health, as well as the economic vitality and way of life of our coastal communities, if humanity cannot adopt stringent measures to curb mercury use and emissions. Mercury has been used in a great variety of industrial, commercial, and pharmaceutical applications, despite knowledge of its toxic effects. Thermometers, switches, fluorescent lamps, batteries, and dental fillings are just a few of the products that may contain mercury. Major emission sources include metal processing, fossil fuel combustion, municipal waste and sludge incineration, oil refining, crematoria, and landfills. Though mercury is released from natural sources, scientists estimate that over two-thirds of global mercury emissions are from human sources. Read more
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Gulf of Maine Council’s related activities
- Mercury is one of three priority contaminants in the Council’s Action Plan 2001-2006, with several objectives for mercury research, monitoring, and education.
- The Gulfwatch program measures mercury and other contaminants in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) to understand spatial and temporal trends in contamination in Gulf of Maine coastal areas.