Open AccessReport on the methylmercury situation in Par Pond. Final report
Author(s) -
James E. Schindler,
D. J. Williams,
James J. Alberts
Publication year - 1975
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/4182918
Subject(s) - mercury (programming language) , methylmercury , environmental chemistry , methylation , chemistry , bioaccumulation , biochemistry , computer science , gene , programming language
Studies are reported on the methylation and accumulation of mercury in fish populations of the pond. Results showed that the majority of the mercury in the fish muscles was in the methyl mercury form. Very low concentrations of mercury were found in the pond sediments. Physiological methylation of the mercury could not be demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro techniques. Organic ligand methylation and reduction of the mercury was shown to be a possible mechanism to account for both the mercury distribution in the pond and the concentrations of methylmercury in the fish. Recommendations are made for remedial treatments to eliminate the mercury problem. (HLW