The trouble with mercury

Researchers in the US have used laboratory simulations to reveal the two-faced nature of microbes that cycle toxic and less toxic mercury compounds in the environment. Microbial activity leads to the formation of highly toxic methylmercury. However, little is known about how environmental conditions and microbial activity generate less toxic forms.

Mercury has been distributed across the globe mainly because of the burning of coal, industrial activity and through natural processes such as volcanic eruptions. There are several different compounds of mercury found in sediments and water.