Study: historical mercury pollution in the ocean threatens Arctic wildlife and people

A study published in Nature Communications by researchers from Aarhus University and the University of Copenhagen reveals that ocean currents may be transporting centuries-old mercury pollution to the Arctic, endangering its ecosystem. Professor Rune Dietz from Aarhus University said the research team analyzed hundreds of environmental samples from Greenland collected over the past 40 years, finding that the Arctic region continues to see high concentrations of the chemical despite decreasing global emissions. By examining the composition of six common mercury isotopes, they identified distinct regional differences that align with ocean current patterns. It means that most of the mercury affecting the Arctic is from the ocean, where the chemical can persist for hundreds of years. So, while current emissions go down, the Arctic region is contaminated by elevated mercury levels produced centuries ago.
According to the researchers, the implications of such a phenomenon are huge, including serious health risks for wildlife and indigenous communities relying on marine animals for food. Professor Christian Sonne from Aarhus University emphasized that mercury affects the immune, reproductive, and sensory systems of the creatures absorbing it, threatening their survival. The research findings may influence the UN’s Minamata Convention on Mercury, which aims to reduce global mercury pollution. Meanwhile, the research team continues to examine mercury isotopes across the Arctic to assess their impact, contributing to international projects such as WhaleAdapt and ArcSolutions.