NASA field study shows possible Mercury increase in the sea due to cracks in Arctic Ice

Co-author Daniel Obrist, also from the Desert Research Institute, said, “The ‘aha’ moment came when we combined the surface measurements with the satellite data and model. We considered a bunch of chemical processes and sources to explain the increased levels of mercury we observed, until we finally realized it was this pumping process.”
Nghiem points out that this new finding has come at a turning point for action on Arctic mercury pollution. The Minamata Convention, a global treaty to curb mercury pollution in which Arctic vulnerability is particularly noted, has been signed by 94 nations since it was opened for signatures in October 2013.
Arctic mercury pollution originates almost entirely in nations as far south as the tropics, from sources such as wildfires, coal burning and gold mining.
http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2014/01/18/nasa-field-study-shows-possible-mercury-increase-sea-due-cracks-arctic-ice/