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Mercury In Fish Research Paper

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Mercury in Fish

Mercury, Despite the fact that it is highly toxic, it has been used in widely around the world in situations such as extracting gold and in products such as thermometers. Although the world is working hard to cut down mercury, it remains as a major problem. (Royal Society of Chemistry N.D.)

Mercury is an artificial chemical element, a metal created by human beings. It was originally introduced by Spain and was then widely used around the world to extract gold. In modern days, China and Kyrgyzstan produce the most amount of mercury in the world through serving as catalysts in chemical industries and being used in electrical switches and rectifiers. The chemical is acquired by condensing the vapour of a cinnabar by heating it …show more content…

The chemical actually has absolutely no benefit to the human body. The National Wildlife Federation states that mercury can “adversely alter the neurological and reproductive systems of humans and wildlife.” (Tolmé 2012) Mercury has the capability of damaging the nervous system including “the nervous system including psychotic reactions, hallucinations, suicidal tendencies and delirium” (Edward 2012) An extended exposure of mercury can cause muscular spasm and can also lead to death. Once mercury enters the body, it is stored in “kidneys, blood, spleen, brain, liver, bones and fatty tissues.” (Edward 2012) The metal also has a big impact on pregnant or nursing women. It can contaminate breast milk and can increase the percentage of neural tube defects by the utero being …show more content…

Tuna [Illustration]. Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/tuna-fish-silhouette-black-symbol-310118/
♣ New York State Department of Health. (n.d.). Mercury spill incidents data and resources[PDF]. Retrieved fromhttps://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/chemicals/hsees/mercury/docs/mercury_spill_incidents.pdf
♣ Preventing mercury pollution. (n.d.). Retrieved from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/topics/preventing-waste-and-pollution/p2-pollution-prevention/reducing-toxicity/preventing-mercury-pollution.html
♣ Tolmé, P. (2012, November 7). Mercury’s harmful effects. Retrieved from National Wildlife Federation website: http://www.nwf.org/news-and-magazines/national-wildlife/animals/archives/2013/mercury-and-wildlife.aspx
♣ The Weather Channel. (n.d.). Which fish contain mercury? [Video file]. Retrieved fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eGAKZQDq5I
♣ What does a biochemist do? (n.d.). Retrieved from sokanu website:https://www.sokanu.com/careers/biochemist/
♣ Winner, C. (2010, October 1). How does toxic mercury get into fish? A WHOI scientist examines mysterious chemistry in the sea. Retrieved from Oceanus Magazine

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