A recent study conducted by researchers from Kottayam Kerala school of Environmental sciences revealed that the level of sediment mercury is high in Arctic region.
- The study was conducted in Kongsfjorden-one of the fjord situated at Ny-Alesund
- It was conducted by a group of researchers from Kottayam Kerala school affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University
- The report was presented in 5th International conference on Eco toxicology & Environmental Sciences between February 15-17
Researchers : Chandini PK, Mahesh Mohan and Gopalakrishnan VG
Method: The fractional distribution of mercury in the sediment samples were analyzed along with total concentration of mercury using an analyzer
Main reasons
- Mercury contamination in polar environment has increased since Industrial revolution
- The trans bound nature of mercury has helped in deposition in polar environment where it undergoes chemical and biological transformation
- The development activities being high in northern half and the very small size of Arctic ocean compared to others made it more susceptible to pollution
Source – Oxidized Gaseous Mercury in spring is the main source of contamination
Nature of sediment
The low concentration in residual fraction indicate mercury in sediment to be Anthropogenic (Environment pollution caused by Human Activities)
Points to note
- Average depth of Arctic ocean– 3406 feet
- Deepest spot- Eurasian basin(17880 feet)
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