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News Release 14-094

Mercury in the world's oceans: On the rise

New results show three times as much in upper oceans since Industrial Revolution times

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Ahi tuna heads on display at the market

Ahi tuna, often a favorite on dinner tables, carries very high amounts of mercury.

Credit: NOAA


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One drop of mercury

One drop of mercury. How much is in the world's oceans? Scientists are finding out.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons


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Scientists Carl Lamborg (left) and Gretchen Swarr of WHOI working in the lab

Scientists Carl Lamborg (left) and Gretchen Swarr of WHOI work to estimate the amount of mercury in the oceans.

Credit: Ken Kostel, WHOI


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Scientists on ship lower instruments to collected water samples from the ocean.

Instruments that collected water samples used in the mercury study are lowered into the ocean.

Credit: Brett Longworthy, WHOI


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Orange roughy fish

Orange roughy are among the fish with the highest levels of mercury.

Credit: NOAA


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catfish fillets on a table ready to be cooked

Mercury in catfish is usually comparatively low.

Credit: NOAA


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