Isabel Smith, right, and Josh West prepare to collect sediment samples from an exposed riverbank in Huslia, Alaska. (Photo: Edda Mutter.)
As Arctic temperatures rise, toxic mercury is being released into the environment
Original story by Darrin S. Joy
As Arctic permafrost melts due to climate change, vast amounts of mercury, previously trapped in the frozen soil, are being released into the environment, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health.
In a recent study, co-authored by USC Wrigley Institute faculty affiliate and professor of Earth sciences and environmental studies Josh West, a USC Dornsife-led team of researchers have developed a more accurate method to assess how much mercury is being released, which is crucial for understanding its long-term impact, especially on communities dependent on the Arctic’s natural resources.
Read the full story on Dornsife News >>
Read the full study in IOPscience >>
In the News:
Melting permafrost releasing toxic mercury into the Arctic, scientists say, ABC News, August 17, 2024