Properties
What are the physical properties of the element mercury at room temperature?
shiny, silver, liquid
Name one source of mercury contamination
coal combustion plants, gold mining, Earth crust/volcanic activity, seafood
What is the atomic symbol for mercury?
Hg
Name one health problem that is caused by methylmercury?
tremors, memory problems, numbness/tingling, vision and hearing problems, or loss of coordination
If mercury pollution can be stopped before reaching the environment, is this considered prevention or remediation?
prevention
Which form of mercury builds up in fish and enters our bodies when we eat contaminated seafood?
methylmercury
Name a way someone can come in contact with mercury besides eating seafood
via skin contact or inhaling vapors
Is mercury more concerning in soil or water, and why?
Water because anaerobic bacteria can turn it into methylmercury
Which organ system does mercury poisioning affect?
the nervous system
Mercury has contaminated sediment at the bottom of a body of water. What type of action would directly address the contaminated sediment?
What form of mercury is the most toxic? Elemental, inorganic, or organic
organic (methylmercury)
What animals have the highest levels of mercury and why?
Large fish predators that eat lots of other smaller fishes and live longer (accumulate more mercury over time)
Name a reason why methylmercury is so toxic inside the body
mimics amino acid (lipid soluble/can cross call walls, high absorption, crosses blood brain barrier)
Give one example of individuals of greater sensitivity to methylmercury?
developing fetuses, infants/young children, or pregnant women
After a contaminated area has been treated, what should continue to make sure mercury levels remain under control?
monitoring
Power plants release mercury into the air when they burn this fossil fuel
coal
What is biomagnification?
increase in concentration of a toxic contaminant in animals as it moves up the food chain
Name an element that inorganic mercury binds with to form white powders/salts
chlorine, sulfur, or oxygen
Give one example of individuals of greater exposure to methylmercury?
people who eat fish that are high in mercury, or fishers who provide for their family/community
A company changes its industrial process to reduce the amount of mercury it releases. Which prevention approach does this represent?
process control
What Earth layer is elemental mercury found in
crust
What is bioaccumulation?
What does methylating a compound mean?
adding a CH3 group
What was the name of the company that dumped waste into the Minamata Bay?
The Chisso Corporation
Why is preventing mercury pollution important even when remediation methods are available?
reduces the need for cleanup and long-term monitoring