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• The food chain: Methylmercury can be passed up the food chain as organisms eat each other. This is how humans are most likely to be exposed to methylmercury, through the consumption of contaminated fish.

Negative Effects on the Environment: Methylmercury is a highly toxic substance that can have a variety of negative effects on the environment. These effects include:

• Harm to fish and other aquatic organisms: Methylmercury can bioaccumulate in fish and other aquatic organisms, meaning that it builds up in their bodies over time. This can lead to a variety of health problems, including birth defects, neurological damage, and death.
• Harm to wildlife: Methylmercury can also harm wildlife, such as birds and mammals. This is because they eat fish and other contaminated organisms.
• Damage to ecosystems: Methylmercury can damage ecosystems by disrupting the food chain and killing off fish and other organisms. This can have a cascading effect on the ecosystem, leading to the loss of biodiversity and other problems.

Two Examples of the Negative Effects of Methylmercury on the Environment from Peer-Reviewed Research Articles:

• A study published in the journal “Environmental Science & Technology” in 2018 found that methylmercury is causing widespread damage to coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean. The study found that methylmercury is killing coral larvae and juveniles, and is also causing deformities in adult coral.
• A study published in the journal “Science” in 2017 found that methylmercury is causing declines in bird populations in the Arctic. The study found that methylmercury is accumulating in the bodies of birds, and is causing a variety of health problems, including neurological damage and reproductive problems.

How the Negative Effects of Methylmercury on the Environment Impacts Humans:

Humans are most likely to be exposed to methylmercury through the consumption of contaminated fish. This is because methylmercury can bioaccumulate in fish and other aquatic organisms, meaning that it builds up in their bodies over time. When humans eat contaminated fish, they can also be exposed to methylmercury.

The negative effects of methylmercury on humans can be serious and include:

• Birth defects: Methylmercury can cause a variety of birth defects, including mental retardation, vision problems, and hearing problems.
• Neurological damage: Methylmercury can cause neurological damage, including tremors, memory loss, and difficulty walking.
• Death: In high doses, methylmercury can be fatal.

It is important to note that the effects of methylmercury exposure can vary depending on the level of exposure and the individual’s age and health. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of methylmercury exposure.

There are a number of things that can be done to reduce exposure to methylmercury, including:

• Eating fish that is low in mercury content.
• Avoiding eating fish that is caught in polluted waters.
• Cooking fish thoroughly.
• Limiting the amount of fish that pregnant women and young children eat.

By taking these steps, we can help to protect ourselves and our environment from the harmful effects of methylmercury.