Mercury concentration data for aquatic, terrestrial, atmospheric, and biological components across the Amazon Basin

Mercury (Hg) in the Amazon arises from natural mineral deposits and as a by-product of legal and illegal gold mining activity. Increased gold mining within the basin is strongly linked to economic demand, human health, and the integrity of freshwater ecosystems. While Hg is a trace metal inherent to the natural environment, sufficiently high concentrations are toxic to plants and animals, especially in its organic form. The fate of Hg in the Amazon basin has been well-documented in studies of air, soil, water, sediment, plants, fish, and humans, though no holistic effort has been made to characterize spatial and temporal trends in Hg exposure across the Amazon basin. This database collates the results of 50+ studies and 26,000+ observations that have measured Hg in the Amazon and presents key findings over 30 years of research. Data is organized into mean, median, ranges, and maximum Hg concentrations.