The distribution of methyl mercury in a contaminated salt marsh ecosystem

Abstract

Elevated Hg concentrations (<1–60 ppm) were found in several components of a salt marsh ( Spartina alterniflora) ecosystem which had been industrially contaminated with inorganic Hg. Methyl mercury levels were low (<0·002 ppm) in sediments and plants, but accounted for most of the Hg found in tissues of higher organisms.