Molecular And Phylogenetic Characterization Of Mercury Reductase Gene ( Mera ) From Newly Isolated Bacillus Sp

     Heavy metals, such as copper, lead, mercury, and selenium are another group of toxins that pollute the water as well as the rest of the environment. The source of many of these pollutants are industries, automobile exhaust, mines, and even natural soil.

If mercury biomagnifies, in which of the organisms would you expect to find the highest mercury levels in a lake with mercury contamination?

Volcanic activity around the world has been associated with high level of mercury in the area. In a 20 year research on 100 different volcanoes around the world, it was estimated that 1140 metric tons of mercury were released into the earth atmosphere, and the average flux would be 57 metric tons. The degassing plumes of 35 around the world volcanoes release 752 metric tons of mercury, and the average flux is 37.6 tons (1). Mercury geochemical belts can form in the Mediterranean, and contain richly valued mercury deposits in the upper layer. Mediterranean has two major sources of natural contamination volcanoes and seawater. Volcanoes Etna, Vulcano and Stromboli, where measured for amount of mercury they released into the atmosphere. Vulcano had mercury emission ranging from 1.3 to 5.5 kg/year, and Stromboli had levels of 7.3 to 76.6 kg/year. Etna had extremely high fluctuated readings ranging from 61.8 to 536.5 kg/year (2). Volcanoes on islands can have high amounts of methyl mercury in oceans and lakes around them, and this is due to the submarine ground water discharge from them. This means that any mercury discharge can flow out across the sea floor, but this can vary depending on the permeability of the volcano rock.

Mercury is another toxic pollutant that may be found in the tailings and in the surface and ground water supplies of the Silver Bow Creek area. While mercury is

Karen Nelson, Neuroepidemiology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; and Margaret Bauman, Children’s Neurology Service, Harvard Medical School conducted a study on neuropathology of mercury toxicity. Nelson and Bauman asserted ethylmercury lacks the active transport mechanism across the blood-brain barrier that other found available to methylmercury however; they provided no evidence to support this assertion. The L system is the major transport

For instance, certain seafoods are known to have high concentrations of mercury. The same can be found inside of certain dental fillings, such as silver fillings or mercury amalgrams.

As already stated, many other locations around the world are affected by mercury poisoning and contamination. For example, Canada and Japan have an extensive history of mercury poisoning, including neurologic symptoms and contaminated fish. These studies have has been documented since the 1950’s in these locations. In fact, the contamination became so problematic the Ontario health department formed a task force on organic mercury in 1972. Further, recent protesting throughout Toronto has asked for Canada to address the contamination of mercury. Findings revealed levels of mercury exceeding those of international standards and included the highest recorded mercury contamination among in the western part of the world. (CITE 6)

Mercury is an element that can be found in our environment through air, water and soil. Being exposed to constant levels of mercury may be detrimental to one’s overall health since it can impact the nervous, digestive and immune systems of human (WHO). In 1960, the demand of Mercury (Hg) increased significantly as it was needed in many commercial and medical practices, despite its high toxicity levels (dwivedi). Thus, the increase in mercury consumption was due to industrialization. Mercury should be gaining increased medical concerns as it can impact the lives of several classes of society. In Canada, it is found that the vast majority of marine mammals contain methylmercury (MeHg) (Laird). Methylmercury is highly more lethal than Mercury

Often, toxic substances are being drained into the air, waterways, and undergrounds wells. According to the report by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over 60 million pounds of deadly chemicals are produced by industries in Florida. Notably, Florida’s water has been suffering mercury contamination until the state’s department of migration issues a circular regularly for regulations of eating freshwater fish in the region (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). In fact, such metals emanate from coal combustion’s emissions which run into water bodies. Not to mention, pesticides and herbicides utilized by government and homeowners pollute the environment (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). Indeed, all chemicals released into the atmosphere find themselves in rivers.

The health hazards for humans who come in contact with contaminants from exposure to polluted water can have long term effects on the body causing possible organ failure and death. Contaminants and chemicals such lead and mercury can bring about many minor illnesses ranging from nausea, lung irritation, skin rash, vomiting, and dizziness, to the major diseases that include cancer, liver and kidney damage, disorders of the nervous system, damage to the immune system, birth defects and even death.

Mercury is extremely dangerous to humans due to its extreme conditions not suitable to human life. Missions to Mercury must be conducted with infallible safety standards to prevent incidents such as what has happened in the past. These safety standards must consider all possible circumstances in which measures must be taken. When doing missions on Mercury safety should be the number one priority.

Elemental mercury, which is a liquid at room temperature is less toxic than inorganic or organic bound mercury. However, it can easily evaporate. Breathing in large amounts can cause harm. Inorganic mercury compounds are formed when mercury combines with elements such as chlorine, sulfur, or oxygen. Mercury salts can cause toxic effects if they are ingested. The high toxicity of mercuric ions can be explained by the high affinity to sulfhydryl groups of amino acids, which are building blocks for enzymes. In organic mercury compounds, mercury is covalently bound to carbon. Organic mercury is the most dangerous form of mercury to human health. The most common organic mercury compound in the environment is methylmercury which bioaccumulates in fish and can be harmful if

The article describes briefly how the mercury ends up in the fish we eat, how the rain grabs the mercury from the atmosphere and deposits it into the lakes and oceans. Because of the food chain, the largest of the aquatic animals will have the highest amount of mercury, whales and sharks for example. So, communities high in whale and shark consumption will show the greatest risk of mercury poisoning.

The CTBC claims that e-waste accounts for approximately 40 percent of these three toxins that end up landfills, noting that "just 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury can contaminate 20 acres of a lake, making the fish unfit to eat."

Kennedy, Robert F., and Marc A. Yaggi. "Mercury Poisoning Is a Growing Global Menace We Have to Address." The Guardian. N.p., 10 Jan. 2013. Web. 24 Sept. 2013. .