FACTS ABOUT MERCURY

Human Environment ~ Mercury in Oregon Waters

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water, and soil

Facts About Mercury

Where does Mercury come from?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), emissions from coal-fired power plants are the biggest supply of mercury to the atmosphere. Mercury is deposited from the atmosphere primarily as inorganic mercury. … Nearly all of the mercury found in fish tissue is methylmercury and bass species being the top of the list of do not eat in some parts of the Willamette River Basin. 

How Does Mercury Effect Human Health? 
Health effects of mercury exposure. Elemental and methylmercury are toxic to the central and peripheral nervous systems. The inhalation of mercury vapour can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal.

Mercury Pollution In The Environment?

Toxic Effects. The toxic effects of mercury depend on its chemical form and the route of exposure. Methylmercury [CH3Hg] is the most toxic form. It affects the immune system, alters genetic and enzyme systems, and damages the nervous system, including coordination and the senses of touch, taste, and sight. Facts about mercury in our Ocean.

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water, and soil and exists in several different forms. Methylmercury is the organic form of mercury that most easily enters the body. It can be naturally formed in the soil or water by certain types of bacteria and other facts about mercury. 

The environment has a number of factors that influence the formation of methylmercury. For example, methylmercury is more likely to form in a water body where there is a high amount of organic material or where algal blooms are prone to occur. Methylmercury increases in concentration as it moves up the food chain. Methylmercury is the form of mercury most toxic to humans.
Because methylmercury accumulates in fish, eating fish is the way most people are exposed to mercury in the environment. How many Oceans are there?