Yener Ulus, a fourth-year PhD student at UNC-Greensboro, who grew up in Arsuz, Turkey, explained to Columbia aldermen on Feb. 3 about the toxic effects of rising levels of mercury in Tyrrell County waters. Above (from left) are Aldermen Hal Fleming and Lloyd Armstrong, Mayor pro tem Sandra Owens, Ulus, Mayor James Cahoon and Adlerman Sue Griffin. Alderman Bryan Owens was ill and absent. A news report about Ulus’ work can be found at https://wrri.ncsu.edu/blog/2019/11/mercury-on-the-rise/.