TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - The silver linings of mercury: reconsideration of its impacts on living organisms from a multi-timescale perspective
JO  - Environment international
A1  - Li, Chengjun
A1  - Shen, Jun
A1  - Zhang, Jin
A1  - Lei, Pei
A1  - Kong, Yaqi
A1  - Zhang, Jichao
A1  - Tang, Wenli
A1  - Chen, Tianyu
A1  - Xiang, Xin
A1  - Wang, Shuxiao
A1  - Zhang, Wei
A1  - Zhong, Huan
SP  - 106670
EP  - 106670
VL  - 155
IS  - 
N2  - Research on mercury (Hg), a naturally occurring element in Earth's lithosphere, has been extremely hot in the past few decades due to the outbreak of a series of disastrous poisoning incidents. However, such studies might provide us a biased view towards Hg if no thorough review about its long-term effects on living organisms from a multi-timescale perspective was performed. Hg might have played a mysterious role in critical intervals (e.g., mass extinction and oceanic anoxia events) in several geologic periods due to the elevated Hg levels induced by volcanism whereas it has long been used for various purposes in human history. Therefore, it is necessary to go through previous studies and historical records of different timescales (10(0) to 10(6) yr). In this work, we conducted a thorough review of Hg knowledge at three different timescales, i.e., geologic periods (10(6) yr), human history (10(3) yr), and contemporary history (10(0) yr), summarizing recent advances and indicated potential research gaps. By doing so, we demonstrated that it is possible to achieve safe and sustainable Hg applications despite the current Hg crisis. However, such silver linings depend on a better understanding of ecosystem dynamics. Besides, considering the possible dire consequences of erupted Hg levels as suggested in geological periods, swift actions to mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the Hg cycle will be another key point. Overall, this review presented a unique perspective of Hg combining different timescales, shedding light on the importance of a better understanding of the global ecosystem as a whole and maintaining the sustainability of planet Earth in the future.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0160-4120
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106670
ID  - ref1
ER  -