James Cizdziel, Associate Professor of Chemistry

Mercury is a persistent and toxic global contaminant that is transported through the atmosphere, deposits to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and concentrates up the food chain.  Prof. Cizdziel recently edited a Special Issue in the journal Atmosphere titled “Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals”.  In it eight original research articles report the latest findings on the distribution, deposition, and measurement of this airborne pollutant as well as the human and environmental impacts of artisanal mining of Hg and gold. Dr. Cizdziel’s editorial provides highlights of these papers and presents them in the broader context of modern atmospheric Hg research and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global treaty now signed by 127 parties designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions of Hg. The Special Issue and his editorial can be found here.