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Mercury pollution may have collapsed two ancient Maya lake ecosystems, Phys.org reports

One lake had mercury levels considered severely harmful to aquatic life for centuries, Phys.org reports.

Ancient Maya mercury use may have come at a severe environmental cost

TLDR

Researchers found extreme mercury levels in sediment cores in Mexico, Live Science reports, linking the contamination to ancient Maya use of red paint. According to Phys.org, Maya communities used mercury-containing cinnabar to decorate buildings, pottery and burial sites. The outlet reports that mercury pollution may have collapsed two lake ecosystems.

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