User:E1allen/sandbox

Reasons for Regulation:

The form of mercury released by human activity is called methyl mercury, and it bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in organisms, particularly marine fish. When mercury is released into the atmosphere, it goes into plankton and other small fish as methyl mercury. The bioaccumulation and biomagnification occurs as larger fish consume the smaller fish and magnify the mercury concentration as it goes up the food chain. Currently, humans around the world collectively emit 2000 metric tons per year. With strict regulations, the number could be decreased to 800 metric tons, however, if humans continue without stricter regulations, the number will increase to 3400 metric tons. Furthermore, some areas in the world are more sensitive to mercury than others, meaning that fish in these areas become highly contaminated at relatively small levels of mercury. One factor that increases the effects of mercury contamination is the presence of coniferous forests. Additionally, the fact that mercury can travel far distances from its location of release provides further justification for regulation. For instance, mercury contamination occurs in the Arctic and Antarctic, where it has not been released.

Because mercury can travel from its release location to areas all over the world, and because fish is traded worldwide, mercury regulation that only focuses on the state or national level is not sufficient. Examples of this ineffectiveness include states in the U.S. that regulate water quality with respect to mercury. Even if that state has strict mercury regulations, water quality can be negatively affected by mercury emissions from a neighboring state or country, demonstrating further need for global regulations. Lastly, scientists stress the importance of developing long-term solutions to mercury contamination because, currently, the advice to avoid consuming high amounts of fish prevents people from getting vital nutrients, and is impractical in places where fish is the main source of food.