Scientists say they now understand how high levels of mercury can accumulate in ocean fish, despite relaively low levels in seawater.
A new study suggests surface-level algae absorb the mercury before sinking to mid-level depths where they decompose, releasing toxi methylmercury.
The study also found that mercury concentrations have increased in the Pacific Ocean by 30% in the last 20 years and could increase an additional 50% by 2050, if emissions from coal combustion continue unabated.
"This is the first discovery of a specific depth in the ocean at any particular spot where the maximum amount of methylmercury is produced," said Dave Krabbenhoft, a geochemist with the United States Geological Survey in Middleton, Wisc. "That’s a really significant finding."
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