RESUMEN
Mercury contamination from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) currently accounts for 37% of the global total, often affecting tropical regions where regulations, if they exist, are often poorly enforced. Ingestion by people and other animals damages the nervous, reproductive, and cognitive systems. Despite the efforts of many organizations and governments to curb mercury releases from ASGM, it is increasing globally. There are many possible interventions, all with significant complexity and cost. Therefore, we recommend taking an established systematic approach to articulate the current situation and construct theories of change (ToC) for different possible interventions for any government or organization trying to solve this problem. Here we present a high-level situation analysis and generic ToC to support a more coordinated approach that explicitly builds upon previous experience to identify organization- and situation-appropriate engagement on this issue. We then illustrate the use of these generic models to construct a specific ToC with a policy-focused entry point. This includes interventions through (1) engagement with the global Minamata Convention on Mercury; (2) support for existing national laws and policies connected to ASGM and mercury contamination; and (3) engagement of indigenous people and local communities with governments to meet the governments' legal obligations. By methodically articulating assumptions about interventions, connections among actions, and desired outcomes, it is possible to create a more effective approach that will encourage more coordination and cooperation among governments and other practitioners to maximize their investments and support broad environmental and socio-political outcomes necessary to address this pernicious problem.
Asunto(s)
Oro , Mercurio , Minería , Mercurio/análisis , Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Humanos , Política Ambiental , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodosRESUMEN
⢠Here, the hypothesis was tested that nitrogen (N) translocation from older to younger parts of Sphagnum decreases as N inputs from atmospheric deposition increase. ⢠Nitrogen translocation in Sphagnum mosses was compared in bogs with contrasting atmospheric N deposition (Adirondack - relatively high N deposition; Maine - relatively low) and by following the movement of a 15 NH4 15 NO3 tracer applied to plots of Sphagnum capillifolium over 2 yr. ⢠Annual N translocation ranged from 11% to > 80% in the lower and higher influx sites, respectively. Nitrogen translocation was an important process for the N budget of the Sphagnum mosses, contributing 0.5-11% of the annual N requirements. These results suggest that N translocation is as important as direct N retention from atmospheric deposition for the N budget of the mosses. Contrary to expectations, N translocation was greater in the high (Adirondack) than in the low (Maine) deposition sites. ⢠If N translocation is closely tied to water availability, the relative positions of the water tables in the sites over the course of the experiments might account for differences in N translocation among sites. The lower translocation (Maine) sites had lower water tables in the first year of the experiment and experienced a more severe drought in the second year than did the Adirondack sites.