Small-scale mining now represents the largest contributor to atmospheric mercury pollution after only fossil fuel combustion; nearly 1/3 of all mercury pollution comes from largely unregulated, individual activities.
We are beginning a project in the Madre de Dios Watershed (MDD), Peru to explore the impacts of mercury contamination from small-scale gold mining in the region (map to the right, in pink). We, along with our collaborators in the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) will be taking sediment, fish, and human hair and blood samples in the region, and administering an extensive questionnaire with community members in the region. This past month, we traveled to Peru to meet with our international partners in Puerto Maldonado. And here are my reflections on the trip!
http://sites.duke.edu/hsukimlab/category/small-scale-artisanal-mining/
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