What characteristic causes larger, longer-living predatory fish to accumulate higher concentrations of methylmercury?
Answer
Absorption from the water they inhabit
The mechanism for mercury contamination in fish is environmental absorption. Fish absorb methylmercury directly from the water within their habitat. As larger tuna species live longer and occupy higher trophic levels, they have a greater opportunity to accumulate this contaminant over time through the water, leading to higher concentrations within their flesh compared to smaller, shorter-lived aquatic life.
Related Questions
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