Analytical system for the determination of low-level methylmercury concentrations

人为排放的无机汞(HgII)增加了汞的长距离迁移和偏远原始地区的污染。在全球范围内，大气中汞的主要来源是燃煤能源生产和废物燃烧的排放，随着工业化的深入和人口的增长，这些排放可能会增加。一般来说，大气中的HgII进入水生生态系统，在那里它可以通过微生物甲基化转化为甲基汞(MeHg)。环境中的甲基汞浓度特别令人担忧，因为甲基汞是一种神经毒素，很容易被食用鱼类和其他水生生物的人类和野生动物生物积累。

Anthropogenic emissions of inorganic mercury (HgII) have increased long-range transport of Hg and pollution of remote pristine areas. On a global basis, the major sources of Hg to the atmosphere are emissions from coal-fired energy production and waste combustion, fluxes that are likely to increase with further industrialization and population growth. In general, HgII in the atmosphere enters aquatic ecosystems where it can be converted though microbial methylation into methylmercury (MeHg). MeHg concentrations in the environment are of special concern because MeHg is a neurotoxin that is easily bioaccumulated by humans and wildlife that consume fish and other aquatic organisms.