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Climate Change Impacts on Environmental and Human Exposure to Mercury in the Arctic

Author

Listed:
  • Kyrre Sundseth

    (NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Department of Environmental Impacts and Economics, Instituttveien 18, P.O. Box 100, NO-2027 Kjeller, Norway)

  • Jozef M. Pacyna

    (NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Department of Environmental Impacts and Economics, Instituttveien 18, P.O. Box 100, NO-2027 Kjeller, Norway
    Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Chemical Faculty, PL 80-952, Gdansk, Poland)

  • Anna Banel

    (NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Department of Environmental Impacts and Economics, Instituttveien 18, P.O. Box 100, NO-2027 Kjeller, Norway)

  • Elisabeth G. Pacyna

    (NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Department of Environmental Impacts and Economics, Instituttveien 18, P.O. Box 100, NO-2027 Kjeller, Norway)

  • Arja Rautio

    (Center for Arctic Medicine, Thule Institute, P.O. Box 7300, University of Oulu, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland)

Abstract

This paper reviews information from the literature and the EU ArcRisk project to assess whether climate change results in an increase or decrease in exposure to mercury (Hg) in the Arctic, and if this in turn will impact the risks related to its harmful effects. It presents the state-of-the art of knowledge on atmospheric mercury emissions from anthropogenic sources worldwide, the long-range transport to the Arctic, and it discusses the likely environmental fate and exposure effects on population groups in the Arctic under climate change conditions. The paper also includes information about the likely synergy effects (co-benefits) current and new climate change polices and mitigation options might have on mercury emissions reductions in the future. The review concludes that reductions of mercury emission from anthropogenic sources worldwide would need to be introduced as soon as possible in order to assure lowering the adverse impact of climate change on human health. Scientific information currently available, however, is not in the position to clearly answer whether climate change will increase or decrease the risk of exposure to mercury in the Arctic. New research should therefore be undertaken to model the relationships between climate change and mercury exposure.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyrre Sundseth & Jozef M. Pacyna & Anna Banel & Elisabeth G. Pacyna & Arja Rautio, 2015. "Climate Change Impacts on Environmental and Human Exposure to Mercury in the Arctic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:4:p:3579-3599:d:47518
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kyrre Sundseth & Jozef M. Pacyna & Elisabeth G. Pacyna & Nicola Pirrone & Rebecca J. Thorne, 2017. "Global Sources and Pathways of Mercury in the Context of Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Kaj M. Hansen & Jesper H. Christensen & Jørgen Brandt, 2015. "The Influence of Climate Change on Atmospheric Deposition of Mercury in the Arctic—A Model Sensitivity Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-15, September.

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