Ancient Maya mercury use contaminated lakes and caused ecosystem collapse
Researchers found that ancient Maya communities used liquid mercury and cinnabar pigment which polluted soils and reservoirs in the northern Yucatán Peninsula.
Sediment cores reveal pollution history
Scientists extracted sediment layers from Lago Cobá and Cenote Xcach to analyze mercury levels over time. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal fragments confirmed that some deposits are more than 2,000 years old. The team measured concentrations in different layers to track how contamination changed throughout history.
Pollution spread across territory
Analysis showed that mercury pollution reached levels capable of harming aquatic life according to modern safety guidelines. This contamination likely spread far beyond the immediate sites where people lived and worked. The study suggests these environmental changes contributed to the collapse of two lake ecosystems.
Study published in Science Advances
Matthew Neal Waters led the research team from Auburn University in Alabama for this project. Their findings appear in the journal Science Advances regarding ancient Maya environmental impact. The work compares historical data with current standards to understand past exposure risks.
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