The oceans are a major biological and geochemical reactor and processor for Hg at the Earth s surface. They play a pivotal role in the global mobilization and recycling of natural and anthropogenically derived Hg. Yet, there is limited study of Hg in the marine environment, and this includes the highly productive coastal regions.
Most research is focused on terrestrial systems.
Here, a variety of important issues relating to the marine and global cycling of Hg are considered. The biogeochemical cycling of Hg is fascinatingly complex, and an extraordinary scientific challenge to decode. In contrast to other trace metals, there is significant involvement of its gaseous species in chemical, biological, and geological reactions and interactions at the Earth s surface. These broadly based anxieties and other interests related to Hg in the environment have led to an expansion in research. A sixth conference is scheduled for Minamata, Japan, October, 2001.