Organic mercury compounds in coastal waters.

Abstract

ORGANIC mercury compounds have been demonstrated in biological material1–3 and the pioneering work of Jensen and Jernelov4–6 and Wood, Rosen and Kennedy7 has demonstrated that these organic mercury compounds can be synthesized by microorganisms in fresh water sediments. Their studies strongly suggest that organic compounds of mercury may be present in natural waters, although there is little experimental evidence for the existence of organic forms of Hg in either fresh or marine water. The role of mercury and its ultimate fate in fresh or marine environments will depend on its chemical and physical form. Thus, a meaningful assessment of the effects of toxic or latently toxic metals, such as mercury, on the biosphere requires identification and differentiation of the various chemical species of the metal in the environment. Here we present experimental data indicating the presence of organic forms of mercury in river water and in coastal sea-water, and we hope to encourage further study of the role of mercury in natural waters.