The presence of mercury in the waterways, oceans, and aquatic species of the world is a pressing issue which demands attention. This issue is most troubling, to the author at least, when coupled with the environmental, ecological, and archaeological holocaust which occurs in the construction of massive hydroelectric dams. The construction of these dams floods river valleys, creating an anaerobic environment over formerly dry and verdant land which is prime for the proliferation of bacteria that methylate mercury and other toxic heavy metals. Mercury and other metals are present in trace amounts in almost all rock and sediment and those found in the reservoirs produced by dams are no different. This troubling fact is compounded by the countless other problems that dams create, including a destruction of native fishes, plants, and sediments as has been observed in the Grand Canyon. Furthermore, archaeological sites which represent irreplaceable cultural knowledge are indiscriminately destroyed by dam reservoirs such as was seen at Marmes rockshelter in Washington where some of the earliest remains on the West Coast were uncovered.
The most significant issue encountered here however, is human health, and such health is endangered when large populations of the Southwest are supplied by water which passes through such reservoirs. Hydroelectric power represents a well intentioned idea which has produced unintended yet irreversible consequences.
http://www.briloon.org/pub/media/ValleyNews1.10.07.pdf
Does water that passes through a large dam pick up methylated mercury? Or is there some other health hazard associated with this water? I am not familiar with this concern about drinking water that you mention at the end of your post.
ReplyDeleteMost commonly, Heavy metal pollution is outsourced by from the purification of metals. Processes of copper smelting and nuclear fuel preparation contribute to this accumulation. Heavy metals concentrations of chromium and cadmium are increased due to Electroplating. These pollutants localize by precipitating into soils and exchanging ions. They lay dormant and do not decay, making it difficult to remediate their existence.
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