Lorenzo Pasqualini 08/31/2024 3:44 PM 7 min
A recent study carried out by the Institute of Atmospheric Pollution of the National Research Council (CNR-IIA) in Rende (Cosenza) has determined, for the first time, the “brand” of mercury pollution of anthropogenic origin – in terms of emitting sectors and geographical areas (zones, regions of origin) – on the consumption of fish from the different fishing areas of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The research, published in the journal Environment Internationalcross-referenced numerical models and information found in databases made available by international institutions, including data from the AMAP/UNEP 2013 global mercury emission inventory, and quantified the anthropogenic mercury emitted in 2012 and deposited during the same year in the different fishing zones.
The researchers then evaluated the persistence of this pollutant through the analysis of fish consumed in subsequent years (years 2012-2021, mercury, in fact, is a persistent pollutant that has long-term effects on ecosystems), and estimated its signature in ‰, on fish from various “fishing areas” consumed in the world.
Mercury’s Impact on the World’s Seas
If in the Mediterranean Sea -or fishing zone 37- The greatest impact is caused by mercury emissions from energy production plants in Europeat a global level it emerges that the production sector that has the greatest impact in all fishing areas is that of artisanal gold mines and small-scale (ASGM), while the geographical area with the highest emissions that promote mercury contamination is East Asia.
In the Mediterranean Sea, among power plants, coal-fired plants contribute almost entirely (over 95%) to mercury pollution. Most of these emissions come from Central and Eastern Europe (almost 40%) and Germany (25%), while Italy contributes only 2%.
Other sectors identified as sources of emissions are – in addition to artisanal and small-scale gold mining – industrial production of gold, production of chlor-alkali; industrial energy combustion; residential combustion; cement production; glass production; non-ferrous industries; iron and steel industries; waste incineration; and road transport.
The regions chosen to track the origin of emissions are instead United States and Canada (NAM); Europe and Turkey (EUR); South Asia (SAS); East Asia (EAS); Southeast Asia (SEA); Australia and New Zealand (PAN); North Africa (NAF); Sub-Saharan Africa (SAF); Middle East (MDE); Central America (MCA); South America (SAM); Russia and Central Asia (CIS); Arctic Circle (ARC).
The Minamata Convention
Francesco De Simone, a researcher at Cnr-Iia who signed the study together with his colleagues Ian Hedgecock, Delia Bruno, Sergio Cinnirella, Francesca Sprovieri and Nicola Pirrone, explains:
“Anthropogenic emissions of mercury are regulated by the Minamata Conventiona 2013 international treaty with the primary objective of protecting health and the environment. The mercury, in fact, is very toxicand exposure to it occurs mainly through the consumption of contaminated fish because it is in the aquatic environment that this element is transformed into the methylated form (in short, MeHg), rapidly assimilated by aquatic organisms.
Il mercury is very toxicand exposure to it occurs mainly through the consumption of contaminated fish because it is in the aquatic environment that this element is transformed into the methylated form (in short, MeHg), rapidly assimilated by aquatic organisms
His concentration then amplifies within the food chain, becoming extremely dangerous for human health: it is associated with various neurological disorders and – being able to penetrate through the placental barrier – also poses serious risks for pregnant women and the development of the fetus”.
In this context, It becomes of primary importance to establish which sectors and regions originate the anthropogenic emissions that most impact human health through, precisely, the consumption of fish:
“With this study, on the one hand we wanted to provide useful information for the development of emission reduction policies, aimed at particular sectors and/or regions, thus bridging the gap between the scientific world and political decision makers; on the other hand, we wanted to address the general public: by using the same nomenclature of FAO fishing zones reported in accordance with the law on all fish products sold in large and small-scale distribution, in fact, it is possible to provide consumers with greater awareness regarding what pollutes the products they buy and use”, adds the researcher.
The research represents a contribution of the Cnr-Iia to the EIRENE-RI “Environmental Exposure Assessment Research Infrastructure” of the ESFRI network, the first pan-European research infrastructure aiming at promoting integrated multidisciplinary studies in the environment-health sector by combining environmental exposure sciences with toxicology and epidemiology.
This research infrastructure, distributed in 17 European countries (Nodes), sees Cnr-Iia in the role of coordinator of the Italian National Node. EIRENE RI aims to integrate and harmonize the complementary capacities available in the Member States, investigating the exposure to harmful chemicals with related effects on the health of the European population (health effects from environmental stressors), and addressing the problem of non-genetic risk factors underlying the development of chronic diseases.
To learn more
From Simone et al. “Modelling the anthropogenic Hg pollution fingerprint on the marine fishery production worldwide: A preliminary exposure assessment for people living in countries having different income levels“, Environment International,