Nature Notes Mining Minerals

As noted earlier, diverse forms of organomercury are released into the environment as a consequence of human activity. Methyl mercury presents a particular case. As a product of the chemical industry, it may be released directly into the environment, or it may be synthesized in the environment from inorganic mercury which, in turn, is released into the environment as a consequence of both natural processes (e.g., weathering of minerals) and human activity (mining, factory effluents, etc.). 

Table 6.8 summarize natural and anthropogenic riverine fluxes (Holland and Petersen 1995). Anthropogenic fluxes for many elements exceed natural fluxes. Examples include S, N (ammonia), P, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Sn, Mo, Cd, Hg, Au, and Pt group elements. Most of them are toxic and are derived from metal mines and industries to river water, while anthropogenic effect of Al, Ni and Mg is small. However, it has to be noted that not aU of anthropogenic elements move to river water. Concentrations of pollutant in river water are variable in place to place. When waste water from mines comes into river water, and mixes with river water, the precipitation of minerals, adsorption by iron hydroxides and clay minerals and uptake by organisms decrease their concentrations in river water. It is important to... 

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