Peru’s Madre de Dios, nestled in the Amazon at the foot of the Andes mountains, is a treasure trove of biodiversity. Jacqueline Gerson, a biogeochemist, embarked on a journey to this rich region in 2017. Cruising down the river on a boat, she marveled at the changing scenery along the riverbanks.
What she witnessed was artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities. Unlike large industrial operations, these miners rely on basic tools or their hands to extract ore. This informal mining sector plays a significant role in supporting half of Madre de Dios’ economy.
However, this economic gain comes at a cost. The miners use mercury to extract gold from riverbank sediments, creating a toxic amalgam that releases harmful fumes when burned. Gerson’s work at Cornell University focuses on tracing how these contaminants move through the environment due to human activities.
2024-09-23 08:00:00
Explore more about Jacqueline Gerson’s research on mercury movement here.
