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XComhghall OP t1_j2f5t2v wrote

Reply to comment by jellyfixh in If fish accumulate mercury in the more toxic, methylmercury form, is it toxic to them? by XComhghall

So (predatory) fish are also affected by mercury, and die when they have too much accumulated? If there is less mercury in the air and in the ocean, fish (and those of us who like to eat fish) could live longer?

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glacierre2 t1_j2ffyv6 wrote

The problem is not fish dying from mercury poisoning (I mean, that would be a problem, a really big one). Much before the levels required for that, the fish may have for example brain damage, which is not such a big deal for fish, but an equivalent in humans render you invalid to carry out a normal life.

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VoilaVoilaWashington t1_j2fhkia wrote

Brain damage would be an issue for any animal. Predators not being able to hunt and track their prey, which would represent most of their brain power, or prey not being able to evade strikes.

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