Arctic mercury pollution threatens the food chain

Methylmercury concentrations in Arctic cod from Greenland waters reached 0.8 μg/g, causing a 40% decline in the immune system function of beluga whales that feed on them, and a 12% increase in the rate of neurological developmental abnormalities in calves. Isotope analysis indicates that the primary source of contamination stems from historical industrial emissions transported by the Atlantic Ocean current. Even if global mercury emissions were to cease immediately, the Arctic ecosystem would require 300 years to recover.