Methylmercury modifying factors

Mercury was detectable in the tissues of almost all freshwater fishes examined, with the majority of the mercury (>80-99%) present as methylmercury. Methylmercury is absorbed more efficiently than inorganic mercury from water, and probably from food, and is retained longer regardless of the uptake pathway. Three important factors modifying mercury uptake in aquatic organisms are the age of the organism, water pH, and the dissolved organic carbon content. In fish, for example, mercury tends to accumulate in muscle tissues of numerous species of freshwater and marine fishes and to... 

For all organisms tested, early developmental stages were the most sensitive, and organomercury compounds - especially methylmercurials - were more toxic than inorganic forms. Numerous biological and abiotic factors modify the lethality of mercury... 

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