The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences continues its fall 2012 Science and Nature Speaker Series at the Cornwall Public Library on Oct. 24 with speaker Roxanne Razavi from Queen’s University.
Razavi, who began her study of mercury in aquatic ecosystems on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, will detail her work on mercury in reservoir fish of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China.
In addition to sharing her knowledge about the mercury issue, she will provide details of her daily experiences of this rich culture, her observations of graduate student life and the scientific endeavour in China, as well as descriptions of the beautiful and fascinating places she had a chance to visit.
Mercury has become a ubiquitous pollutant, and a global effort to eliminate this harmful neurotoxicant comes into effect in 2013.
China has a critical role to play with the largest releases of mercury to the air of any nation. But little is known to what extent these large emissions have resulted in pollution of the Chinese environment and its implications for ecosystem health. As fish constitutes a major part of the Chinese diet, it is also an important human health concern.
Razavi will be at the Cornwall Public Library on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. Admission is free, however space is limited. Please call the River Institute to reserve your seat (613) 936-6620.
The Science and Nature Speaker Series is hosted by the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences and the Cornwall Public Library, and funded entirely by sponsorships and community donations.
