Mercury (Hg)

• is extremely poisonous

• enters the atmosphere when coal is burned

• can be consumed by fish after reaching water

• has recently been shown to affect birds that eat 1. 

Research into mercury’s effects on birds Claire Varian-Ramos is studying:

• changes in birds’ 2.  and mental processes such as memory
• changes in birdsong, which young birds normally learn from their 3. 

Findings:

• exposure to mercury results in songs that are less 4. .
• this may lower successful 5. .

Laboratory studies:

• provide researchers with greater 6. .

Implications for humans

• Migratory birds such as 7.  may contain mercury and later be eaten.
• Mercury may interfere with the learning of 8. .
• Mercury entering a mother’s body through 9.  may harm her unborn child.
• Regulations controlling mercury emissions will increase everyone’s energy 10. .