Mercury Pollution in Aquaresources and its Effects

Abstract

Mercury is a very toxic and dangerous substance which has severely contaminated land, air, water, and food chain throughout India. Mercury contamination in India is reaching alarming levels largely due to discharge of mercury bearing industrial effluents ranging from 0.058 to 0.268 mg/l. This is several times higher than prescribed Indian and WHO standards of 0.001mg/l (for drinking water) and 0.1 mg/l for industrial effluents. Studies made by various agencies have revealed that aquatic ecosystems of some areas are critically polluted by mercury in India. High levels of mercury in fish stocks mainly in coastal areas have been detected. Mumbai, Kolkata, Karwar (Karnataka) and North Koel (Bihar) are severely affected. Mercury is poisonous in all forms-inorganic/organic/elemental. Methyl mercury is a neurotoxicant which can damage developing brain easily. It also triggers depression, suicidal tendencies, paralysis, kidney failure, alzeimer's disease, speech and vision impairment, allergies and impotence. With rising mercury imports, mercury pollution in India is reviewed, indicatings that the country virtually sits on brink of disaster.