2006-12-20 12:20:20 · 13 answers · asked by Jerry347 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Well, it doesn't come from people just throwing away their broken thermometers, that's for sure. Here is what I've discovered:
Mercury is used in its pure form in thermometers and barometers. Many batteries contain mercury. It is used in floodlights, streetlights, and other outdoor or powerful lights. It is also used as a catalyst in the chemical manufacturing industry. It is used to conduct electricity (i.e. thermostats). Mercury is used in dental amalgams. It is also used in the mining industry to extract gold and silver ores. Mercuric chloride is used in the manufacture of disinfectants, other chemicals, and as a catalyst. Mercuric chloride is used in photography and embalming. Bacteria in the water and the soil primarily produce methyl mercury.
Fossil fuel power plants emit to air, precious metal mining operations may emit to water or land, metal smelters may emit to air, cement manufacture may emit to air. Municipal landfills, sewage, metal refining, and chemical manufacturing are also significant potential emitters of mercury to land and water.
Historically, one of the largest releases was from the Colex plant, a lithium-isotope separation plant at Oak Ridge. The plant operated in the 1950s and 1960s. Records are incomplete and unclear, but government commissions have estimated that some two million pounds of mercury are unaccounted for.
The primary sources of mercury to the environment are fossil fuel burning (primarily coal) and solid waste incineration (Nriagu & Pacyna, 1988). Power plants in the U.S., according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are one of the main sources of mercury pollution—48 tons a year
2006-12-20 17:10:50 · answer #1 · answered by Professor Armitage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It comes from factories that pollute the air. Mercury gets caught up in the smoke billowing out of factory smokestacks and drifts cloud like up to a 100 miles into the ocean. Then it settles and ends up on the bottom of the sea. Small life forms feed on the vegetable the mercury has settled on, then it works its way up the food chain until it gets into the system of fish like swordfish, which has high mercury content because of digestion reasons.
2006-12-20 20:30:46 · answer #2 · answered by mac 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Small pieces of Freddy Mercury the deceased lead singer of Queen.
2006-12-21 00:44:40 · answer #3 · answered by Stephen D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an astro collided with the still forming mercury some 4.5 billion yrs ago sending chunks of the planet hudeling through space hence the mercury on earth and water
2006-12-20 20:25:09 · answer #4 · answered by ibebarbie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
mercury occurs naturally in rocks on the bottom of lakes and rivers small creatures absorb it and are eaten by larger fish .
it has a relation ship with acid rain wich is not fully understood.
2006-12-20 20:27:07 · answer #5 · answered by Shark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mercury that was dumped in the water from industrial processes.
2006-12-20 20:22:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury compounds in coal, burned in power plants goes into the atmosphere and rains down, accumulating in bodies of water where it accumulates in the bodies of alpha predators and large long lived scavengers.
2006-12-21 11:05:22 · answer #7 · answered by corvis_9 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
findings imply that the high levels of methylmercury in fish are not coming from increased pollution, but from a natural source. The specific source is not yet clear, it could be hydrothermal vents and deep ocean sediments.
2006-12-20 20:32:05 · answer #8 · answered by pinkcallalillie3 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Generally pollutants from run off, that eventually make their way to the gulf, or ocean. That is why it is recommended that you do not dispose of mercury batteries in your household trash.
2006-12-20 20:24:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It accumulates from the water and moves up throught the food chain to higher levels of concentration.
2006-12-20 20:23:00 · answer #10 · answered by pechorin1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋