Sunlight affects the content of mercury in fish

Marine researchers at the University of Hawaii (UH) and the University of Michigan say they have partly explained the accumulation of mercury in marine fish that live in different depths.

Photo: internet

A few years ago, scientists at UH found that in the flesh of predatory fish such as moon fish or swordfish, the content of mercury was higher than that of pompano and yellowfin tuna. usually live near the water."We recognize this but cannot explain the cause," said UH Professor Brian Popp.

Recently, based on a finding by the University of Michigan that chemical reactions under the influence of sunlight destroy up to 80% of monomethylmercury (CH3Hg +) toxic on surface water, scientists have focused on research. in 9 fish species, including 6 predators and 3 species are prey. They found that the harmful effects of CH3Hg + (formed after the decomposition of relatively harmless inorganic mercury released from industrial dust) can gradually increase as it passes through the food chain.

From this study, scientists concluded that people exposed to mercury were mainly through the consumption of large marine fish, such as swordfish and tuna. It is known that mercury exposure harms the central nervous system, the circulatory system and the immune system.