Global Mercury Issue Research, Elemental, Inorganic

South Asia (India, Indonesia & Philippines) First Draft
Lily Clarke, Rebecca Jacobson, Xinkai Ma, Johnathan Schiff, Bryan Schnapper, Jake Slye, Brian Trainor
https://jschiff.expressions.syr.edu/mercuryproject/
Intro:
Mercury is an element that is produced both naturally and by means of anthropogenic and travels throughout the atmosphere. Mercury is naturally present in the earth due to processes such as weathering of minerals containing mercury, volcanic eruptions and other geothermal activities such as remissions from the ocean. These natural-mercury-emitting processes only account for 10% of all the global mercury. It is the addition of mercury that is caused by coal burning, mining, chlor-alkali facilities, production of cement and gold mining that causes the main issue of contamination worldwide (Todorova 4). Mercury is such an important topic to study because an excess amount of mercury in the world’s environment can lead to a major impact for civilian health as well as a destruction of worldwide ecosystems. This report will be investigating the mercury pollution issue that is seen today throughout the world, and will include an in-depth focus on the South Asian region of the world, specifically India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Globally, mercury has caught the attention of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) governing council because of the increase in concentrations since 2005. Our research will have a focus on the scientific studies by UNEP Chemicals Branch that proves that long-range mercury transports contribute to global mercury pollution and that mercury persists in the environment due to its chemical properties and tends to bioaccumulate in the food chain, which ultimately leads to exposure to humans and wildlife.In coordination with the UNEP Governing Council, the goals of this mercury convention will focus on an attempt to agree upon a mercury treaty for the future that will have a focus on regulation of all emissions, to compose a list of products, processes and industries that need to be regulated in order to reduce their contribution towards the global mercury issue and lastly to establish time sensitive goals that will act towards limiting mercury emissions (Todorova 10).Southern Asia has a significant contribution to global mercury pollution, but also has great potential to make meaningful contributions in efforts to take control of mercury pollution. The three countries of focus within the South Asian region, India, Philippines and Indonesia each range greatly in populations, geographical orientations and socioeconomic statuses. As a result of this, each country significantly impacts mercury levels in a different way.
Global Mercury Issue:
Mercury emissions are 30% anthropogenic sources, 10% natural geologic sources, and 60% is inorganic mercury that is volatilized back into the atmosphere from soil and oceans. Mercury is emitted anthropogenically mainly from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), coal burning and other industrial sources of pollution.
Mercury in the atmosphere, whether it be elemental, inorganic or organic, has an effect on human health similar to other particulates in the air.
* Mercury poses a threat to human health because it is broken down i...