What’s behind the toxic levels of mercury in tropical birds? Gold mining, study shows

A Black-spotted Bare-eye (Phlegopsis nigromaculata) captured next to an artisanal gold mining operation in Madre de Dios, Peru. Credit: Chris Sayers/UCLA

The tropics are home to more than 75% of all species and are projected to support 50% of the world’s human population by mid-century, but little is known about mercury pollution in these life-filled regions.

A new study published in the journal…