IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/nat/natcom/v16y2025i1d10.1038_s41467-025-62176-0.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Aligning global mercury mitigation with climate action

Author

Listed:
  • Chengjun Li

    (Ministry of Ecology and Environment)

  • Mengjie Wu

    (Nanjing University)

  • Wenli Tang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Ben Yu

    (National Research Center for Environmental Analysis and Measurement)

  • Alfonso Saiz-Lopez

    (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC))

  • Alexandre Poulain

    (University of Ottawa)

  • Michael S. Bank

    (Institute of Marine Research
    University of Massachusetts Amherst)

  • Qinghua Zhou

    (Nanjing University)

  • Paul L. E. Bodelier

    (Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW))

  • Zhen Yan

    (Shandong University)

  • Beat Frey

    (Snow and Landscape Research WSL)

  • Haiyan Hu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jiaxing Chen

    (Guangzhou University)

  • Yuelu Jiang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Huan Zhong

    (Nanjing University)

Abstract

Environmental mercury (Hg) pollution affects microbial community structure and functions. Yet, whether and how this influence cascades through microbe-mediated cycling of major greenhouse gases (GHGs) remains poorly understood. This Perspective synthesizes emerging evidence on the Hg-microbe-GHG nexus, exploring the possibility that global Hg emission reductions, while critical for human and planetary health, may cause alterations to microbe-mediated GHG fluxes. Significant knowledge gaps persist, however, regarding the Hg-microbe-GHG nexus, particularly concerning the magnitude and direction of the nexus’s net impact on climate and global environmental change. To bridge these gaps, we propose a three-step roadmap aimed at disentangling the potential impacts of global Hg emission mitigation strategies on microbial communities, associated GHG emissions, and subsequent climate change. Collectively, these joint efforts from scientists, industry, community stakeholders, and policymakers are critical to harmonizing global Hg mitigation efforts with climate action and to ensuring a sustainable future for Earth systems and their inhabitants.

Suggested Citation

  • Chengjun Li & Mengjie Wu & Wenli Tang & Ben Yu & Alfonso Saiz-Lopez & Alexandre Poulain & Michael S. Bank & Qinghua Zhou & Paul L. E. Bodelier & Zhen Yan & Beat Frey & Haiyan Hu & Jiaxing Chen & Yuelu, 2025. "Aligning global mercury mitigation with climate action," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62176-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62176-0
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62176-0
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1038/s41467-025-62176-0?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kevin Schaefer & Yasin Elshorbany & Elchin Jafarov & Paul F. Schuster & Robert G. Striegl & Kimberly P. Wickland & Elsie M. Sunderland, 2020. "Potential impacts of mercury released from thawing permafrost," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-6, December.
    2. Chengzhen Zhou & Maodian Liu & Robert P. Mason & Prakhin Assavapanuvat & Nikki H. Zhang & Thomas S. Bianchi & Qianru Zhang & Xiaolong Li & Ruoyu Sun & Jiubin Chen & Xuejun Wang & Peter A. Raymond, 2025. "Warming-induced retreat of West Antarctic glaciers weakened carbon sequestration ability but increased mercury enrichment," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. C. Oberschelp & S. Pfister & C. E. Raptis & S. Hellweg, 2019. "Global emission hotspots of coal power generation," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(2), pages 113-121, February.
    4. Mark A. Bradley & Benjamin D. Barst & Niladri Basu, 2017. "A Review of Mercury Bioavailability in Humans and Fish," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-20, February.
    5. Elisabeth G. Hiis & Silas H. W. Vick & Lars Molstad & Kristine Røsdal & Kjell Rune Jonassen & Wilfried Winiwarter & Lars R. Bakken, 2024. "Unlocking bacterial potential to reduce farmland N2O emissions," Nature, Nature, vol. 630(8016), pages 421-428, June.
    6. Chengjun Li & Huan Zhong, 2025. "The world must move forwards with plastics treaty," Nature, Nature, vol. 638(8049), pages 39-39, February.
    7. Yi Luo & Huan Zhong & Chengjun Li & Christian Sonne, 2024. "Regulate to protect fragile Antarctic ecosystems from growing tourism," Nature, Nature, vol. 631(8020), pages 275-275, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jia, Ce & Guo, Xiaodan & Tian, Ziyue & Xiao, Bowen, 2025. "Unintended consequences of SO2 mitigation: Increased PM and infant mortality in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    2. Qinyuan Hong & Haomiao Xu & Xiaoming Sun & Jiaxing Li & Wenjun Huang & Zan Qu & Lizhi Zhang & Naiqiang Yan, 2024. "In-situ low-temperature sulfur CVD on metal sulfides with SO2 to realize self-sustained adsorption of mercury," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Ayaz, Muhammad & Jehan, Noor & Nakonieczny, Joanna & Mentel, Urszula & uz zaman, Qamar, 2022. "Health costs of environmental pollution faced by underground coal miners: Evidence from Balochistan, Pakistan," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    4. Huang, Qian & Xu, Jiuping, 2023. "Carbon tax revenue recycling for biomass/coal co-firing using Stackelberg game: A case study of Jiangsu province, China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    5. Antonio Belmonte & Pilar Muñoz & Juan Santos-Echeandía & Diego Romero, 2021. "Tissue Distribution of Mercury and Its Relationship with Selenium in Atlantic Bluefin Tuna ( Thunnus thynnus L.)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-16, December.
    6. Fariha Kanwal & Ashfaq Ahmed & Farrukh Jamil & Sikander Rafiq & H. M. Uzair Ayub & Moinuddin Ghauri & M. Shahzad Khurram & Shahid Munir & Abrar Inayat & Muhammad S. Abu Bakar & Surendar Moogi & Su Shi, 2021. "Co-Combustion of Blends of Coal and Underutilised Biomass Residues for Environmental Friendly Electrical Energy Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-21, April.
    7. Pinpin Lin & Fan-Hua Nan & Min-Pei Ling, 2021. "Dietary Exposure of the Taiwan Population to Mercury Content in Various Seafood Assessed by a Total Diet Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-17, November.
    8. Maamoun, Nada & Chitkara, Puneet & Yang, Joonseok & Shrimali, Gireesh & Busby, Joshua & Shidore, Sarang & Jin, Yana & Urpelainen, Johannes, 2022. "Identifying coal plants for early retirement in India: A multidimensional analysis of technical, economic, and environmental factors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    9. Livia Cabernard & Stephan Pfister & Christopher Oberschelp & Stefanie Hellweg, 2022. "Growing environmental footprint of plastics driven by coal combustion," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 5(2), pages 139-148, February.
    10. Robi Kurniawan & Gregory P. Trencher & Achmed S. Edianto & Imam E. Setiawan & Kazuyo Matsubae, 2020. "Understanding the Multi-Faceted Drivers of Increasing Coal Consumption in Indonesia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-22, July.
    11. Ogutu B. Osoro & Edward J. Oughton & Andrew R. Wilson & Akhil Rao, 2023. "Sustainability assessment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband megaconstellations," Papers 2309.02338, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2024.
    12. Tengfei Yuan & Shaojian Huang & Peng Zhang & Zhengcheng Song & Jun Ge & Xin Miao & Yujuan Wang & Qiaotong Pang & Dong Peng & Peipei Wu & Junjiong Shao & Peipei Zhang & Yabo Wang & Hongyan Guo & Weidon, 2024. "Potential decoupling of CO2 and Hg uptake process by global vegetation in the 21st century," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    13. Shijin Wang, 2024. "Opportunities and threats of cryosphere change to the achievement of UN 2030 SDGs," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    14. Oluwatobi L. Akinbode & Emmanuel Obeng-Gyasi, 2025. "Combined Effects of Arsenic, Cadmium, and Mercury with Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Insights from the All of Us Research Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-25, February.
    15. Tiina M. Komulainen & Kjell Rune Jonassen & Simen Gjelseth Antonsen, 2024. "Estimation and Control of WRRF Biogas Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-20, November.
    16. Bahman Huseynli, 2024. "Coal Energy in Energy Consumption: An Empirical Analysis in the Case of Russia and Türkiye," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(3), pages 541-548, May.
    17. Abdullah Ahsan Ahmed & René H. Reich & Andrea Maria & Lizzie Boakes & Cédric Rolin & Karel Acker, 2025. "Regionalized Life Cycle Assessment of Silicon Wafers Supply Chains in the Semiconductor Industry," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 2347-2371, June.
    18. Hanlin Feng & Jiemin Cheng, 2023. "Whole-Process Risk Management of Soil Amendments for Remediation of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soil—A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    19. Huang, Guangqin & Huang, Chang & Liu, Han & Huang, Huamao & Shang, Wentao & Wang, Weiliang, 2024. "Exergy analysis of off-design performance in solar-aided power generation systems: Evaluating the rationality of using part-load operation solution of coal-fired plants," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    20. Di Wu & Haotian Zheng & Qing Li & Ling Jin & Rui Lyu & Xiang Ding & Yaoqiang Huo & Bin Zhao & Jingkun Jiang & Jianmin Chen & Xiangdong Li & Shuxiao Wang, 2022. "Toxic potency-adjusted control of air pollution for solid fuel combustion," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(2), pages 194-202, February.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62176-0. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.nature.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.