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Source: This post “Mercury Contamination” is based on the article “Tropical birds show signs of mercury contamination, due to artisanal gold mining operations: Study” published in “The Hindu” on 3rd November 2023
Why in the News?
According to a study, tropical birds are being affected by mercury pollution due to expanding artisanal and small-scale gold mining operations in jungle areas.
What is Artisanal Mining?
Artisanal mining refers to small-scale, subsistence-based mining activities typically carried out by individuals or small groups using basic tools and limited machinery.
This form of mining often occurs in rural or remote areas, focusing on extracting minerals or precious metals like gold, diamonds, or gemstones.
It usually involves manual labor and simple equipment, distinct from large-scale industrial mining operations.
Why is Mercury used in gold mining?
Mercury is commonly used in small-scale gold mining to separate gold from other minerals due to its ability to bind to gold and form amalgam.
Due to this, small-scale gold mining releases large amounts of mercury to the environment and is estimated to contribute approximately 37% of mercury emissions on a global scale.
What are the key findings of the study about the impact of mercury pollution on tropical birds?
According to the study:
1. Mercury may be playing a role in the declining biodiversity of tropical birds like kingfishers, wrens, warblers among others.
2. Birds living within 7 km (4 miles) of such gold mining activity were found to have mercury concentrations over four times higher than those living at other sites across the tropics of Central and South America.
Note: Birds are called the “canary in the gold mine” because the condition of birds in an ecosystem serves as an indicator of the health of the environment impacted by gold mining.
What is Mercury?
| Specifications | Details |
| What is it | Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and soil |
| Natural Sources | Volcanoes, geothermal springs, geologic deposits and the ocean |
| Human related sources | Coal combustion, waste incineration, industrial uses and mining |
| Impact on Health | (1) Exposure to mercury can cause severe health problems, particularly neurological and developmental issues in fetuses, infants, and children. (2) Long-term exposure can lead to damage to the brain, nervous system, and kidneys in humans. |
| Convention | Minamata Convention: It obliges government Parties to take a range of actions to address mercury emissions to air and to phase-out certain mercury-containing products. |
UPSC Syllabus: Environment
