Mercury in Rainfall

In this module, explore the long-term record of mercury deposition from rainfall (1996-2021) from sites across the US and Canada.

Mercury occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. Human activities, such as mining and fossil fuel combustion, have led to widespread mercury pollution. Mercury emitted into the air eventually deposits into water or onto land where it can be washed into the water. Once in the water, mercury can build up in animals (mainly fish, shellfish, and animals that eat shellfish), including humans.