How does mercury get into fish

Rainwater flows over soil that has been contaminated with Mercury and flows into a water body, where it is absorbed into the skin and flesh of the fish and aquatic creatures living in the vicinity.

http://answers.ask.com/Food_and_Drinks/Other/how_does_mercury_get_into_fish

Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury! Pregnant women are told to not eat a lot of fish due to this! Cha Cha!

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Mercury contamination is a worldwide problem. It can come from many sources. It occurs naturally in the environment in rocks, soils, water and air. Products containing mercury which are thrown in the garbage or washed down sinks and drains …

http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/oehas/fish/fishfaq.htm#How_does_mercury_get_into_fish

Related Questions Answered on Y!Answers

How does mercury get into fish in the ocean, lakes or rivers?

Q:

A: people and factories dump it in the water

how does mercury get into fish?

Q: if you can, please provide sources

A: Once in a lake or river, mercury is converted to methyl mercury by bacteria and other processes. Fish absorb methyl mercury from their food and from the water as it passes over their gills. Mercury is tightly bound to proteins in all fish tissue, including muscle. There is no method of cooking or cleaning fish that will reduce the amount of mercury in a meal. Nationwide, mercury is represented in more fish consumption advisories than any other chemical.Methyl mercury accumulates as you move up the food chain: 1. Methyl mercury in the water and sediment is taken up by tiny animals and plants known as plankton. 2. Minnows and juvenile fish eat large quantities of plankton over time 3. Large predatory fish consume smaller fish, accumulating methyl mercury in their tissues. The older and larger the fish, the greater the potential for high mercury levels in their bodies. 4. Fish are caught and eaten by humans and animals, causing methyl mercury to accumulate in their tissues.

How does mercury get into the ocean’s fish?

Q:

A: The main cause of mercury in fish is coal-fired power plants. Coal hasa small amount of mercury in it. When it is burned in the power plants,the mercury spreads through the atmosphere. It is then washed to theearth by rain, where is enters rivers, lakes, and oceans. It is first takenup by all sea life in the food chain, and it stays in their cells. Organismsthat are higher up on the food chain consume more mercury, and thereforehave more mercury built up in their cells. The process of increasedtoxicity in animals that are higher on the food chain is called ‘bioamplification’. Coal plants are the largest source of electrical power in the United States. All of the time that we use our lightbulbs, televisions, andcomputers, we are poisoning the fish with mercury. The solution isphotovoltaic panels.