Bioaccumulation of mercury and methylmercury

R. P. Mason, J. R. Reinfelder, Francois M. M. Morel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

385 Scopus citations

Abstract

The factors controlling the accumulation of mercury in fish are poorly understood. The oft invoked lipid solubility of MMHg is an inadequate explanation because inorganic Hg complexes, which are not bioaccumulated, are as lipid soluble as their MMHg analogs and, unlike other hydrophobic compounds, MMHg in fish resides in protein rather than fat tissue. We show that passive uptake of the lipophilic complexes (primarily HgCl2 and CH3HgCl) results in high concentrations of both inorganic and MMHg in phytoplankton. However, differences in partitioning within phytoplankton cells between inorganic mercury - which is principally membrane bound - and MMHg - which accumulates in the cytoplasm - lead to a greater assimilation of MMHg during Zooplankton grazing. Most of the discrimination between inorganic and MMHg thus occurs during trophic transfer while the major enrichment factor is between water and phytoplankton. As a result, MMHg concentrations in fish are ultimately determined by water chemistry which controls MMHg speciation and uptake at the base of the food chain.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)915-921
Number of pages7
JournalWater, Air, & Soil Pollution
Volume80
Issue number1-4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1995

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Ecological Modeling
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Pollution

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Bioaccumulation of mercury and methylmercury'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this