Mercury Menace: Unraveling Accumulation and Impact in China's Southern Lakes: A Mini Review

Abstract

This review explores mercury pollution in China's southern lake region, focusing on its accumulation in aquatic plants and the resulting ecological and human health impacts. Mercury's transformation within ecosystems disrupts biodiversity and food webs, posing significant environmental threats. Human exposure, primarily through contaminated fish, leads to serious health risks. The review highlights future research directions, including advanced detection technologies, phytoremediation strategies, and the influence of climate change on mercury dynamics. Emphasizing the need for improved risk assessments and effective policy frameworks, the article advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to mitigate mercury pollution. By integrating scientific innovation and community engagement, sustainable management and protection of both ecosystems and human health can be achieved.