Mercury in the Environment

Mercury contamination in the environment has been extensively documented and studied. Fish mercury contamination arises because of natural processes in the base of the food web that result in bioaccumulation, with subsequent biomagnification up the food web. Over the years mercury studies have been plagued with sample contamination, poor analytical reproducibility, and "what is the question that we are really even trying to ask?" (i.e. this is a rather complex problem that has both natural and anthropogenic beginnings. Is our focus on the environment? Is our focus on human health? Is our focus on litigation? (i.e. find the bad guys and make them pay). Researchers worldwide have performed fine, quality research and gathered good, defensible data (this in contrast to the flawed research that we must be able to identify and navigate around). Since there are so many "starting points" in research, it is a monumental task to draw the entire body of knowledge together to characterize the problem in its entirety. So, our objective is to be mindful of this complexity and do everything in our interpretive power to ask the right questions, access the appropriate data, and the make claims that may be defended by our investigation. AND BEWARE...there are many folks out there who have an opinion and will use your data to fit their objective. For example, the first identification of elevated mercury in the Everlgades sportfish spurred on immediate and fervent accusations by activist groups. Accusations that agriculture in the north part of the Everglades were the "cause" of elevated fish mercury. Other groups immediately, and without documented evidence, accused the West Palm Beach area "trash-to-energy" plant for the mercury problems in the Everglades fish. We must always be wary of fervent accusations.

A Global Warming Example: Vice President Al Gore infamously presents wild claims about the impact that humans are having on "global warming". He has also claimed that the scientific community, as a whole, supports his claims. Many of us who are trained in the science of the environment find fault with Mr. Gore's claims, yet he makes money from this effort by establishing an entity, listed on the Stock Market, for industries to buy "carbon credits". This, at the same time that he has purchased a $9 million dollar home on a California beach (hmmmm, I thought the sea levels were going to rise, and the ice caps were going to melt, and the polar bears were all dying, and, and, and, ......." Where is the science? Sadly, many of the scientists who have made the claim of human-driven-global-climate-change have been caught modifying their data. This happens alot, and having the opportunity to become famous or wealthy can lead many to say whatever is convenient at the time. Our class will talk about global warming later in the term...with an open eye, an open heart, an open mind...trying to find elements of truth that may be derived from either extreme viewpoint. Remember, it is not the job of a scientist/researcher to become involved in "extreme" claims or dialog...rather, it is our job to answer questions based on factual evidence...this typically directs the researcher toward moderation. Your credibility as a scientist is the most valuable possession that you have in your discipline...don't lose it, even for fame or fortune...leave that to the politicians and other's who wish to be in the newspapers.

The mercury story is riddled with many other similar circumstances. Be aware of this when you venture out into Google or Wikipedia or even the professional literature. ...and, again, if you see extreme claims...check the data for yourself! :)

My first post to MPH 720

Hey Everybody,
Thanks for working on getting your blogs set up. If you are not familiar with this method, I hope you enjoy learning something new. Ashlyn!...those fish are cool...where did you find them? :)
We currently have the class blog plus Drew and Ashlyn. ...more to come... :)

This is a GIS that one of my students made based on data I collected for my Ph.D. Computer mapping was much more tedious and less visually appealling than the maps we can produce with geospatial databases these days. Just wanted to share. :)