Mercury Sources in the Environment

The two major sources of mercury in the environment are:

1. Natural mobilisation of mercury from Earth’s crust. Mercury becomes airborne in large amounts through volcanic eruptions and forest fires.

2. Anthropogenic emissions from mobilization of mercury impurities in fossil fuels, incinerators, chlor-alkali industries, mining, processing/refining of mercury ore, gold mining, as well as the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, lime, cement and batteries.

Small amounts are also contributed from paints, landfills, laboratories, crematoriums, and electric bulb breakage. While most of the mercury released into the environment by human activity is in either elemental or inorganic form, biological processes convert inorganic mercury into highly dangerous forms of organic mercury, such as methyl mercury. This form is the most harmful to people and wildlife because of its ability to take part in biochemical reactions and accumulate in the food chain.

Day-to-day anthropogenic activities such as fossil fuel combustion, mercury disposal and burning of mercury-bearing waste has led to a dramatic presence of this highly toxic metal in air and water.