The Canadian Press 23/05/2024 12:37 A new study suggests industrial discharge from a paper mill in northern Ontario is exacerbating mercury contamination in a nearby river system and its fish. Researchers from the University of Western Ontario say that while the wastewater from the Dryden, Ont., mill doesn’t contain mercury, the sulphate and organic matter in it contribute to the elevated production of methylmercury in the Wabigoon River. They say the levels of methylmercury — the most toxic form of mercury — in the river’s fish may be twice as high as they would be without the mill discharge. The Wabigoon River is upstream from the Grassy Narrows First Nation, which has been plagued with mercury poisoning for more than 50 years. Brian Branfireun, who led the research team, says…
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