Why I’m Sailing To The Arctic In Search Of Missing Mercury

Plants and Animals





Photo credit:

Methylmercury in the fur sounds nasty – but this bear isn’t too bothered. HimmelrichPR, CC BY-SA

If you’ve ever eaten fish from the sea, especially an older or larger fish, you’ve probably been exposed to the pollutant mercury. It’s invisible, odourless, and dangerous. When ingested by humans, mercury is a neurotoxin, attacking the brain and nervous system, and the development of babies and infants can be particularly hampered.