Digestors at Aluminum Refinery

Port Lavaca, Texas, USA

In this stage of the aluminum refining process, bauxite ore is mixed with a very strong alkalai (sodium hydroxide) to separate the alumina from impurities, which include dirt, silica, mercury, and other trace metals.

In 2015, this facility released 3,530 pounds of nitrate, 1,205 pounds of mercury, and 230,897 pounds of lead compounds.

Because of the levels of mercury found in fish sampled near this facility, a portion of Lavaca Bay was closed to the taking of finfish and crabs by the Texas Department of Health in April of 1988. People who ate contaminated fish, crabs and oysters in the past as well as people who currently eat contaminated fish and crabs from the closure area may be exposed to excessive amounts of mercury.

So many thanks to SouthWings for flight support!