A price to pay for the riches we seek.

        What if the beauty we seek along with the Jewelry we wear has an adverse affect on our environment? What if the the most worn and sought after element for the purpose of profit and flattery is, in fact, the largest source of Mercury pollution in the world? In the recent article, "The most surprising source of mercury pollution," (http://www.livescience.com/39982-surprising-mercury-pollution-sources.html) David Main discusses one of the most lucrative elements sought in mining practices, Gold, and how it has been causing an exponential increase in the amount of mercury that is invading the environment. The ability for mercury to bind to most precious metals has made the small scale technique of "artisanal" mining an attractive means to extract gold from the ground. This extraction is accomplished by burning mercury off the mined gold, which subsequently releases it into the atmosphere. Due to the volatility of mercury, it can persist for centuries by reacting in the atmosphere, being rained out and recombining with the soil and ocean water, only to repeat the seemingly interminable process.

The reason these practices warrant great concern from many scientist is the amount of mercury that winds up in the ocean. This is due to the chemical processes that result in the highly toxic methlymercury that bioaccumalates into fish and eventually,  human beings. The health affects of such chemicals are severe and much is yet to be discovered about the pernicious affects they have on the human body. 

    But what is to be done? How can we stop such practices. Unfortunately, practices such as these are taking place in countries that lack the government oversight over the mining industries who utilize this technique.  Some countries have taken the initiative to reduce mercury in consumer products , set goals to reduce the amount of mercury being released in the environment and close some of the aforementioned mercury mines. The initiative is a certainly a step in the right direction but the short term will be more problematic. It will take decades for the mercury that has usurped our atmosphere to reduce. Fortunately for us, we can take steps to reduce our intake- primarily avoiding eating fish. 

     Like climate change, I find the apathy amongst most nations to be a reason for concern. Yes, if smaller steps by the individual to reduce their intake- thats great. But if there is going to be substantial change, there must be a global initiative and consensus about what is to be done. I also was surprised to learn of the high reactivity of mercury and to truly respect the element. I also didn't realize how something so trivial, like a gold necklace, can be the source of so much destruction to our environment (indirectly of course). I will certainly keep that in the back of my mind the next time I am at the mall!