New Study on Mercury's Impact on Wildlife

We hear a lot about mercury's impact on human health, and rightfully so. However, a new study finds that mercury may be just as much of a concern for birds, bats and other wildlife.

The New York Times is reporting on a new study -- Hidden Risks -- which describes the widespread harm to wildlife from mercury. The report makes the case that new restrictions on mercury emissions from power plants intended to protect human health could also benefit wildlife.

The study was conducted by the Biodiversity Research Institute. The findings have a lot of relevance for river groups including the a finding focusing on particular concentrations in some of our most productive water systems:

Dr. Evers said levels of contamination were highest in habitats like marshes and beaver ponds that go through cycles of wet and dry, even if they are far from power plants. He also found that threshold levels at which some species begin to feel the effects of mercury are much lower than previously thought.