The US Geological Survey published a study today that describes the mechanism by which anthropogenic mercury gets into the seas and into the seafood we eat. While it has been surmised that human use and emissions of Mercury were the source of mercury in the oceans and seafood, the mechanism by which anthropogenic mercury gets there has not been known.

A new landmark study published documents for the first time the process in which increased mercury emissions from human sources across the globe, and in particular from Asia, make their way into the North Pacific Ocean and as a result contaminate tuna and other seafood. Because much of the mercury that enters the North Pacific comes from the atmosphere, scientists have predicted an additional 50 percent increase in mercury in the Pacific by 2050 if mercury emission rates continue as projected.

source