NATION IN BRIEF : FLORIDA : Mercury Levels Seen Rising in Everglades

Mercury levels in the Everglades continue to climb and scientists are unsure how the toxic element is being deposited across the state, a new study says. Mercury contamination in the South Florida wetland showed significant increases during the last three to five years, said Joseph Delfino, professor of environmental engineering at the University of Florida. “In some places, it’s as high as a threefold increase,” he said. In January, environmentalists warned Floridians to avoid eating fish from scores of mercury-tainted areas. Delfino said the contamination he found poses little threat to humans, unless they eat large amounts of fish from areas with high mercury levels.