Although the swamps have earned a reputation that there are huge spaces with dangerous species and witty images, they play a key role in the ecosystem. That is why the recent discovery made in some Georgia and South Carolina swamps, researchers were excited.
What is going on?
Based on a recent study of environmental toxicology and chemistry, increased mercury levels have been detected in several swamps throughout the deep south. The discovery was done when the research team conducted an investigation with alligators in the region. They chose the Jkyll Island and the Ocefenokee swamp in Georgia, as well as the Yawkey Wildlife center in South Carolina as the main places.
Today, talking to Uga, Kristen Zemaitis, the main author of the study and graduate of the University of Georgia, noted the importance of alligators. “Alligators are very ancient creatures, and we can look at these areas as an indicator, which can still happen in the ecosystem,” Zemaitis said. “Their study can be associated with many different things food online.”
That is why the research team was astonished when they began to measure mercury levels in three studies. Mercury naturally exists in the Earth’s crust and can be released into the environment through natural processes. However, as noted in the study, mercury is “severe neurotoxin, usually assessed by the burden of pollutants”.
Why is the increased level of mercury in the swamps important?
Often human activity, such as industrial pollution and urbanization, can occur in regional “hot spots” with increased mercury concentrations. With this in mind, the research team spent several months analyzing blood samples from more than 100 alligators through the Ocefenokee swamp, Jkyll Island and Yawkey Wildlife Center.
Their findings revealed that the mercury concentration was about eight times higher in alligators living in the Ocefenokee swamp than any other places. “This is one of the results of the study that was most surprising to me,” said Jeb Byers, co-author of the study.
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“Mercury is a neurotoxin that is very fatal to organisms. If it accumulates, it moves through the food network and creates a perfect storm. That’s what we have Ocefenokee,” added UGA professor byers.
Researchers found that Mercury might be moving faster through the food chain than before. When mercury enters the sea environment from various sources, it can be absorbed by small organisms in the food chain. Because larger species eat these smaller organisms, in larger predators such as alligators, it can lead to a higher level.
What is done due to these high levels of mercury?
High levels of mercury may appear to be problematic for local communities that depend on their food supply on the fishing industry. “Mercury contamination can be a major concern for people who can consume many fish or game species from rivers, swamps or oceans that have a lot of mercury,” Zemaitis noted.
Although the study revealed the alarming results, Zemaitis said it could help us learn more about which species are most affected in our environment. “Now that we know this about one of the tops of these systems, we are wondering what is still affected?” Added Zemaitis.
The researcher explained that further research could better explain where the excess of mercury appears and how pronounced neurotoxin is in the ecosystem.
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