A Review of the Ecological Effects of Mercury Pollution in Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems

Mercury (Hg) is a toxic and persistent environmental pollutant released into ecosystems through both natural processes and human activities. Its environmental persistence, potential transformation into methylmercury (MeHg), and capacity for bioaccumulation and biomagnification pose substantial risks to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Although the Minamata Convention on Mercury provides an international framework for reducing mercury emissions and releases, climate change, permafrost thaw, and land-use changes may alter mercury mobilization, transport, and transformation, potentially complicating ecosystem recovery. Vegetation also plays an important role in the global mercury cycle by facilitating the transfer of atmospheric mercury to terrestrial surfaces, although the magnitude of this contribution varies among ecosystems and environmental conditions. This review examines the major sources and biogeochemical cycling of mercury, its toxicity mechanisms, its effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms, the consequences of bioaccumulation and biomagnification, and approaches to monitoring and managing mercury pollution. Important knowledge gaps remain regarding mercury uptake and cycling in plants, the interactive effects of climate change on mercury methylation and methylmercury accumulation, and the incorporation of socioeconomic scenarios into environmental risk assessment models. Addressing these gaps through international cooperation, capacity building, improved monitoring, and the development of cost-effective remediation technologies could strengthen mercury risk management and support long-term ecosystem recovery.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ecological effects ، climate change ، Mercury ، methylmercury