Mercury is released to environmental media (air, water, soil) by a wide variety of natural processes and human interventions. Worldwide, natural emissions of mercury from physical and biological processes may equal or exceed manmade emissions.

The global anthropogenic emission rate for mercury is estimated to be 650 metric tons (650,000 Kg) annually, while natural emissions could be as much as 1020 metric tons (1,020,000 Kg). While the totals are quite uncertain, natural emissions may comprise about 50 percent of them.

Even if all manmade emissions of mercury were eliminated, a significant natural discharge to the environment --through both biological and physical processes-- would persist.

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