CURRICULUM VITAE - JEROME NRIAGU

Updated curriculum vitae (November 2020)http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163513/2/CURRICULUM VITAE - JEROME NRIAGU (OCTOBER 2020).pdfSEL

Mercury pollution from the past mining of gold and silver in the Americas

The development of the patio amalgamation process into an industrial scale operation in 1554 stimulated the massive production of silver in the New World but left behind an unprecedented quantity of mercury pollution. The annual loss of mercury in the silver mines of Spanish America averaged 612 tonnes/year (range 292-1085 tonnes/year) between 1580 and 1900. The production and importation of mercury into the United States ranged from 268 to 2820 tonnes/year and averaged ~1360 tonnes/year between 1850 and 1900. Approximately 90% of the mercury consumed in the United States during this period was employed in gold and silver extraction. The cumulative losses of mercury to the environment due to the production of precious metals in the Americas totalled ~257 400 tonnes, with 196 000 tonnes dispersed in South and Central America and 61 380 tonnes in the United States. Approximately 60-65% of the mercury lost is believed to have been released to the atmosphere, suggesting that gold and silver mines were a dominant source of atmospheric mercury pollution. Because of its high volatility, any deposited mercury can readily be re-emitted to the atmosphere. The continuing recycling of this large mass of mercury may partly be responsible for the high fluxes of mercury in many parts of North and South America and the high background levels of mercury in the global environment.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/31497/1/0000419.pd

Mechanistic steps in the photoreduction of mercury in natural waters

Elemental mercury accounts for 10-50% of the dissolved mercury in lakes but plays a vital role in the cycling of this element in lacustrine environments. The view is advanced that a large fraction of the Hg(0) is generated by photochemical reactions in the surface waters. Possible mechanisms for the Hg(0) production are discussed including homogeneous photolysis of dissolved Hg species and photoreduction processes involving organic molecules and inorganic particulates in water.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/31336/1/0000246.pd

Geostatistical modeling of the spatial variability of arsenic in groundwater of southeast Michigan

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94929/1/wrcr10188.pd

Environmental injustice and childhood lead exposure in peri-urban (ger) areas of Darkhan and Erdenet, Mongolia

Abstract Background The ger (“tent city”) areas in Mongolia are a product of rapid urbanization and transitional economic development combine with lack of institutional, administrative and financial capacity of governments to cope with the pace. These areas have become traps for inequities in social and environmental services and the associated effects on human health. Disparities in childhood lead exposure in such communities are largely unexplored. Methods We measured the concentrations of lead in blood of children, aged 4–7 years, in Erdenet (Orkhon Province) and Darkhan (Darkhan-Uul Province), the second and third largest cities in Mongolia. A survey instrument was used to gather information on influencing factors on lead exposure and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess a spectrum of behavioral problems among the children. Results The mean blood lead level (BLL) of children in the two cities was found to be 3.8 ± 2.6 μg/dL (range: < 1.5–17.2 μg/dL) and 27.8% of the children had BLLs ≥5 μg/dL. Average BLL of children in Erdenet (a mining center) was significantly higher than that for children in Darkhan, and there was statistically significant difference between average BLL of children who live in ger district (4.2 ± 2.8 μg/dL) compared to those of children in housing units within the city (3.2 ± 2.4 μg/dL). In spite of the low values, BLLs was significantly associated with a number of effects on the spectrum of behavioral disorders, specifically with the scores for hyperactivity, conduct disorder and pro-social behavior. Conclusions This study shows that childhood lead poisoning is common especially in ger communities of the urban areas of Mongolia. It contributes evidence showing that BLL low as 3.8 μg/dL can selectively activate some effects from a spectrum of likely behavioral disorders in children.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147734/1/12889_2019_Article_6486.pd

Acute Toxicity of Thallium to Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia dubia

No abstract available.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48000/1/128_2005_Article_760.pd

Thallium Concentration in Lake Trout from Lake Michigan

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42357/1/128-67-6-921_10670921.pd

Cadmium concentrations in recent snow and firn layers in the Canadian arctic

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47997/1/128_2004_Article_BF00195499.pd