Mercury Toxicity: Impacts on Ecosystems and Mitigation Strategies

Abstract

Global ecosystems are seriously threatened by mercury, an extremely hazardous environmental contaminant. The ramifications of mercury poisoning on plant and animal life are discussed in this chapter, with an emphasis on the effects, underlying mechanisms, and potential mitigation measures. Most mercury contamination comes from natural sources, such as volcanic eruptions, but manmade activities, particularly mining and industrial processes, have significantly increased their amount in the environment. Mercury changes into methylmercury (MeHg), an extremely poisonous form, once it is released. Mercury in plants impairs crucial physiological processes including photosynthesis, which results in slower growth and different dynamics within plant communities. As it bioaccumulates inside plants, its toxicity rises at higher trophic levels. Due to mercury exposure, top predators like fish, birds, and mammals experience neurological problems and decreased reproduction. And lastly there is a section specifically for the environment that is being cleaned up of mercury using a variety of techniques and technologies. They consist of activated carbon absorption, extractions, phytoremediation, bioremediation, and others. Emissions are to be decreased by mitigation measures, which include international agreements like the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Innovative cleanup techniques and mercury routes are the subject of ongoing research. © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Ravindra Kumar Gautam, Subhash Chandra, and Radha Rani; individual chapters, the contributors.