Scientists have found that the highest recorded levels of atmospheric mercury exist in an unlikely place Peru’s Amazon rainforest (nature.com)

Illegal gold mining is the leading cause of the high mercury levels in Peru’s Amazon rainforest. The miners use mercury, which binds to gold, to separate the precious stone from river sediments, according to the international team communications of researchers (Nature.com). Illegal mining is defined as the extraction of minerals or materials from the Earth without state permission. State permission often requires mining licenses and mineral transportation permits that seek to make the extraction processes safer.

Gold mining is prohibited because of the potentially hazardous effects extraction of resources can have on the environment and human health. “The mercury acts like a magnet to the gold, drawing the flecks of gold from the sediment to bind with the mercury, to become a small silvery-gold clump” (Amazon Aid 2020). After the gold has been collected, the mercury water is often dumped back into the river and is now ethylated mercury, which can be consumed by fish. The miners also often burn the mercury off of the gold clump, which can be very toxic if inhaled by the miners. Governments and organizations have tried to support the substitution of mercury in the process, says Panoramos.

Governments and organizations have tried to support the substitution of mercury in the process including other methods like panning, sluicing, and shaking tables, however, none have gained traction against mercury, as these solutions are not entirely accessible in these communities. The illegal gold mining process is very dangerous and is growing due to the international increase in the price of gold. People mining should be using mercury to mind for gold or find a different way to search for gold