Eisler Mercury Hazards to Living Organisms

Erscheinungsjahr 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4200-0883-8
Verlag: Taylor & Francis
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 336 Seiten

Complex and ever changing in its forms and functions, the element mercury follows a convoluted course through the environment and up the food chain. The process is complicated further by the fact that the difference between tolerable natural background levels and harmful effects in the environment is exceptionally small and still not completely understood. Written by recognized national and international authority on chemical risk assessment, Ronald Eisler, Mercury Hazards to Living Organisms explores the biological, physical, and chemical properties of mercury and its compounds. Rich in facts and information, the book provides a fundamental look at the issues.

A synthesis of current scientific reviews, the book documents the significance of mercury concentrations in abiotic materials, plants, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, elasmobranch, fishes, and birds, as well as humans and other mammals. The author reviews historical and current uses and sources of mercury along with its physical, chemical, biological, and biochemical properties. He summarizes mercury transport and speciation processes and analytical techniques for mercury measurement. The book includes coverage of lethality to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans; administration routes and their effects; and sublethal effects such as cancers, birth defects, and chromosomal aberrations.

Zielgruppe

Researchers and graduate students in toxicology and environmental policy experts.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Eisler, Ronald

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften

Inhaltsverzeichnis

MERCURY SOURCES, USES, PROPERTIES, TRANSPORT, POISONING MECHANISMS, AND TREATMENT
Introduction

References

Mercury Uses and Sources

Uses

Sources

Summary
References

Properties
Physical
Chemical
Biological

Biochemical
Mercury Transport and Speciation

Mercury Measurement

Summary

References

Mercury Poisoning and Treatment

Poisoning
Mercury Treatment
Summary

References

MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS IN FIELD COLLECTIONS OF ABIOTIC MATERIALS, PLANTS, AND ANIMALS
Mercury Concentrations in Abiotic Materials

Air
Coal

Sediments

Sewage Sludge

Snow and Ice
Soils
Water

Summary

References

Mercury Concentrations in Plants and Animals
Algae and Macrophytes

Invertebrates

Elasmobranchs and Bony Fishes

Amphibians and Reptiles

Birds

Humans
Other Mammals
Summary

References

Mercury Concentrations in Abiotic Materials and Multitaxonomic Field Collections
Asia
Brazil

Caribbean Region
Europe

India
North America
Polar Region
Summary

References

LETHAL AND SUBLETHAL EFFECTS OF MERCURY UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS
Lethal Effects of Mercury
Aquatic Organisms
Terrestrial Invertebrates
Reptiles
Birds

Mammals
Summary

References

Sublethal Effects of Mercury
Carcinogenicity, Genotoxicity, and Teratogenicity

Bacteria and Other Microorganisms
Terrestrial Plants
Terrestrial Invertebrates
Aquatic Plants

Aquatic Animals
Birds

Mammals
Summary

References

CASE HISTORIES
Case Histories: Mercury Poisoning in Japan and Other Locations

Minamata, Japan

Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Tokuyama Bay, Japan

Guizhou, China

Faroe Islands

Republic of Seychelles
New Zealand

Ontario, Canada

Summary

References

Case Histories: Mercury Hazards from Gold Mining
History
Ecotoxicological Aspects of Amalgamation
Summary

References

PROPOSED MERCURY CRITERIA, CONCLUDING REMARKS
Proposed Mercury Criteria for Protection of Natural Resources and Human Health

Agricultural Crops
Aquatic Life

Birds

Mammals
Human Health

Summary

References

Concluding Remarks
Index