Difference between revisions of "Methylmercury"
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== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| − | While inorganic mercury is the dominant form, most mercury which accumulates in [[benthic]] invertabrates and [[Pollution and benthic | + | While inorganic mercury is the dominant form, most mercury which accumulates in [[benthic]] invertabrates and [[Pollution and benthic fishes| fish]] is methylmercury. Unlike other metals, methylmercury [[biomagnification|biomagnifies]] through the food chain. As such methylmercury is expected to be most hazardous for organisms on the top of the food chain. This holds true for fish, terrestrial birds and [[minamata disease|humans]]. [[Pollution and sea birds|Sea birds]] and [[Pollution and marine mammals|marine mammals]] appear to be quite resistant towards methylmercury accumulation. |
Methylmercury is formed naturally from mercury in anoxic sediments by bacteria.<ref>↑ Kennish, M. J. (1996): Practical Handbook of Estuarine and Marine Pollution, CRC Press 524 pp</ref> | Methylmercury is formed naturally from mercury in anoxic sediments by bacteria.<ref>↑ Kennish, M. J. (1996): Practical Handbook of Estuarine and Marine Pollution, CRC Press 524 pp</ref> | ||
==Refernces== | ==Refernces== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 11:52, 10 July 2009
Definition of methylmercury:
Soluble and highly toxic compound of mercury formed in the environment by microbial methylation of mercury. [1]
This is the common definition for methylmercury, other definitions can be discussed in the article
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Notes
While inorganic mercury is the dominant form, most mercury which accumulates in benthic invertabrates and fish is methylmercury. Unlike other metals, methylmercury biomagnifies through the food chain. As such methylmercury is expected to be most hazardous for organisms on the top of the food chain. This holds true for fish, terrestrial birds and humans. Sea birds and marine mammals appear to be quite resistant towards methylmercury accumulation. Methylmercury is formed naturally from mercury in anoxic sediments by bacteria.[2]
