Scientists have linked global warming to increased runoff, and in turn, increased levels of mercury in the ocean and fish:
Rising temperatures could boost mercury levels in fish by up to seven times the current rates, say Swedish researchers. They've discovered a new way in which warming increases levels of the toxin in sea creatures. In experiments, they found that extra rainfall drives up the amount of organic material flowing into the seas. This alters the food chain, adding another layer of complex organisms which boosts the concentrations of mercury up the line. The study has been published [open, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1601239] [DX] in the journal, Science Advances.
I, for one, welcome our newly mercury-enriched diets.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday January 30 2017, @11:07PM
The problem is that increased rain washes mercury pollution into the oceans. But is it any better to keep the toxic mercury on land where people live? TFA also mentions that most environmental mercury comes from burning coal. For people who care about the environment (even if they are skeptical of global warming), this sounds like another reason to insist on stringent toxic-emission rules for all power plants. If coal can't compete, that means they are too dirty. I feel like the environmental movement is taking its eye off the ball by focusing so much on CO2...