Context:
Melting permafrost releasing toxic mercury into the Arctic: Study
Permafrost:
- Any ground that remains frozen or colder for at least 2 years straight.
- Made up of – Combination of soil, rocks and sand, held together by ice.
- Global distribution – Common in regions of high mountains and along Earth’s higher latitudes– Arctic and Antarctica.
- Not always covered in snow despite the ground being frozen.
Mercury:
- Toxic heavy metal
- Also known as quick silver
- Sources –
- Natural sources such as volcanoes, geothermal springs, geologic deposits, oceans
- Mining
- Coal combustion
- Present in products like batteries, some lightbulbs and even mascara
- Health hazard – Affects the nervous, digestive and immune systems, etc.
- Minamata disease (neurological) is caused due to mercury poisoning.
- Mitigation methods – UNEP Global Mercury Partnership, Antarctic Treaty and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals, Minamata Convention
Source: Times of India
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:
1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
