Mercury inputs into the Amazon Region, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Mercury inputs into the Brazilian Amazon ecosystem due to goldmining activities are quantified based on data from various Brazilian Mineral and Environmental Agencies as well as field works. Total losses of Hg were estimated to be 1.32 kg Hg/kg Au from which 45% are released into rivers and 55% into the atmosphere. Total Hg input to the Amazon may contribute with up to 6% of the global anthropogenic Hg emissions to the atmosphere and the releases into the rivers are at the same order of magnitude as the inputs into the North Sea.