Global Warming May Affect Fish We Eat
The declining of sea ice in the Arctic has many implications, but the most recent research published in the journal Nature Geoscience finds that this decrease may also affect Arctic sea life, including some of the fish we eat. The Arctic is particularly vulnerable to the impact of mercury emissions from industrial activities because oxidized mercury can deposit easily on snow and ice. When the ice melts, anaerobic organisms in the water convert this to methylmercury which then accumulates in the fatty tissues of cold water fish. Overconsumption of this compound can cause central nervous system damage, particularly in unborn babies and young infants. For this reason, pregnant women and children are discouraged from eating certain fish including swordfish, king mackerel, and shark.
No comments:
Post a Comment