Scientists have uncovered a lot about the Earth’s greatest extinction event that took place 250 million years ago when rapid climate change wiped out nearly all marine species and a majority of those on land. Now, they have discovered a new culprit likely involved in the annihilation: an influx of mercury into the eco-system.

Continued...
http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/utoday/january6-2012/extinction

Bookmarking for tomorrow's reading.

Just one remark: Under non-artificial conditions, mercury usually is very sparingly soluble.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news ... ction.html
gamma ray caused mass extinction?

i knew and assumed that we ought to fear such things but never thought that it already occurred, perhaps it occurred more than once.

Berthold wrote:Just one remark: Under non-artificial conditions, mercury usually is very sparingly soluble.

The form of mercury released in the volcanism talked about isn't the same as the refined stuff in thermometers and the like. This would be very minute particles and bound to other clastic material. Think of the mercury vapor in a florescent lamp attached to ash and dust. The same thing is happening now as coal fired power plants release mercury vapors.

Now, whether or not this was the single cause of the end Permian event is debatable. There are several such proposals out there.

RS