Rise of mercury emissions in the Amazon rainforest: an evaluation of artisanal and small-scale gold mining and biomass burning sources

Two important global sources of mercury emissions to the atmosphere are biomass burning (BMB) and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) operations. These activities, prevalent in the Amazon rainforest, are driven by agricultural and cattle ranching expansion and rising international gold prices, respectively. Although there are indications of increasing ASGM activities in the Amazon, there are no studies of corresponding mercury consumption and emissions within this context.
http://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/256/