According to a recent article published by Nature, mercury levels in the ocean are even higher than anticipated, with human activities since the industrial revolution to blame.
Researchers working on this study found “that human activities – mostly the burning of fossil fuels, but also mining – had boosted the mercury levels in the upper 100 metres of the ocean by a factor of 3.4 since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.”
“Circulation patterns that drive very cold, salty and dense water to sink into the deep ocean carry large amounts of mercury from shallower depths where life abounds. That provides some protection to marine life, as mercury’s toxic effects magnify with every step up the food chain. For example, the mercury levels in a top predator such as tuna are 10 million times higher than those in the surrounding seawater,” explains the article.
A growing body of scientific evidence demonstrates that fish are sophisticated animals who exhibit intelligence, complex social structures, long-term memory, and the capacity to feel pain, but the fishing industry treats them as if they were nothing more than inanimate objects.
Ready to ditch mercury-laden animal cruelty? Check out ChooseVeg.com for delicious meal ideas, and tips on making the transition to a fish-free lifestyle.
