Coastal fog linked to mercury poisoning in mountain lions, researchers say
Ocean bacteria convert mercury to methylmercury, which is then brought to land by upwelling and released back into the atmosphere. The methylmercury is carried by fog, which then drips to the ground and begins to bioaccumulate.
(Peter Weiss-Penzias)
By ALEJANDRA REYES-VELARDE STAFF WRITER
DEC. 2, 2019
10:01 AM
In a study published last week, researchers found that methylmercury levels were three times higher in mountain lions living along the coast than among those in inland areas. The increased toxin levels could threaten the big cats’ survival and reproduction as they struggle to navigate their increasingly populated habitats.
Mercury is a naturally occurring pollutant that is released into the environment through mining and coal-fired power plants. It’s so widespread that almost everyone has small amounts of the neurotoxin in their system, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Humans are typically exposed to the chemical when they eat fish and shellfish.
However, at high levels, the toxin can cause neurological damage and decrease fertility.
UC Santa Cruz researchers — including lead authors Chris Wilmers and Peter Weiss-Penzias — examined fur and whisker samples from 94 coastal mountain lions and 18 noncoastal mountain lions for the study. At least one animal had mercury levels known to be toxic to species such as mink and otters, and two other mountain lions had sublethal levels that reduce fertility and reproductive success.
Even mother nature is sick of #Catset
Coastal fog linked to mercury poisoning in mountain lions, researchers say
Ocean bacteria convert mercury to methylmercury, which is then brought to land by upwelling and released back into the atmosphere. The methylmercury is carried by fog, which then drips to the ground and begins to bioaccumulate.
(Peter Weiss-Penzias)
By ALEJANDRA REYES-VELARDE STAFF WRITER
DEC. 2, 2019
10:01 AM
In a study published last week, researchers found that methylmercury levels were three times higher in mountain lions living along the coast than among those in inland areas. The increased toxin levels could threaten the big cats’ survival and reproduction as they struggle to navigate their increasingly populated habitats.
Mercury is a naturally occurring pollutant that is released into the environment through mining and coal-fired power plants. It’s so widespread that almost everyone has small amounts of the neurotoxin in their system, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Humans are typically exposed to the chemical when they eat fish and shellfish.
However, at high levels, the toxin can cause neurological damage and decrease fertility.
UC Santa Cruz researchers — including lead authors Chris Wilmers and Peter Weiss-Penzias — examined fur and whisker samples from 94 coastal mountain lions and 18 noncoastal mountain lions for the study. At least one animal had mercury levels known to be toxic to species such as mink and otters, and two other mountain lions had sublethal levels that reduce fertility and reproductive success.
Even mother nature is sick of #Catset
Coastal fog linked to mercury poisoning in mountain lions, researchers say
nikka that's there home. They already destroyed most big animals over there You want the big cats gone too?
