Thunderstorms have 50 percent higher concentrations of mercury than other rain events. Mercury is a heavy silvery white metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures and a naturally occurring chemical element that is used in several devices such as thermometers, barometers, fluorescent lamps and other devices. Exposure to high levels of mercury can be dangerous because it can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption. Being exposed to mercury can cause cancer, neurological and behavioral disorders, insomnia, memory loss, and cause harm to the kidneys. In the southern United States, an afternoon thunderstorm is part of any other ordinary day, but now new research shows that those storms might be causing more trouble than we think. These storms are moving amounts of significant mercury to the ground. Christopher Holmes an assistant professor of meteorology and his research team collected rain in a variety of locations in Florida, as well as Vermont, Georgia and Wisconsin. They found that more mercury was in rain from the clouds that reached the highest altitudes. "The highest concentrations occurred during thunderstorms and the lowest during a regular rainstorm," Holmes said. Usually, the Southeast has a high number of thunderstorms in the summer months. Holmes and his colleagues believe that this is the reason the Southeast has higher levels of mercury in rain.
I find this of particular importance because mercury is dangerous to the human population and also can be very bad for the environment. Mercury can cause the death of many animals that get in contact with it. We need to have awareness and alert people to stay inside during thunderstorms that contain mercury. This can be achieved by alerting people through social media like the news and the internet. The more we bring awareness the more humans and wildlife can be saved from the affects of mercury.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160831103023.htm
I find this of particular importance because mercury is dangerous to the human population and also can be very bad for the environment. Mercury can cause the death of many animals that get in contact with it. We need to have awareness and alert people to stay inside during thunderstorms that contain mercury. This can be achieved by alerting people through social media like the news and the internet. The more we bring awareness the more humans and wildlife can be saved from the affects of mercury.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160831103023.htm