Media Availability: What effect does mercury have on fresh water?
Mercury can cause a wide range of physical and mental symptoms in humans.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury aims to reduce the amount of mercury released into the environment. The global community is currently meeting in Geneva to discuss how to enforce the treaty.
IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) has a wealth of expertise on the effects of mercury on fresh water and fish, and its impacts on ecosystems overall.
To speak with any of the experts below, please contact Sumeep Bath at [email protected] or +1 (204) 958 7700 ext. 740.
Dr. Michael Paterson has focused his work on issues related to mercury for over 25 years. He has explored how mercury affects food webs and fish, and the relationship between hydro electric reservoir development and elevated concentrations of mercury.
As a biologist with IISD-ELA, Lee Hrenchuk monitors and assesses the effects of a variety of environmental stresses, including mercury deposition, on fish ecology and behaviour in lakes in the boreal shield.
About IISD
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank working to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resource management, and fair economies. Our work inspires better decisions and sparks meaningful action to help people and the planet thrive. We shine a light on what can be achieved when governments, businesses, non-profits, and communities come together. IISD’s staff of more than 200 experts come from across the globe and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries.
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