Question

Why would it be expected that a swordfish would exhibit higher methyl mercury levels than a tilapia? (site 2)

Answer 1

Mercury is a fluid metal that is delivered into the earth by both characteristic cycles, for example, volcanic movement, enduring of rocks, and so forth and human exercises, for example, squander materials from processing plants. The mercury that arrives at the sea and other water sources is changed over into methylmercury by microscopic organisms. Methylmercury is a neurotoxin that meddles with the sensory system and is effortlessly consumed by the human body. The methylmercury is taken up by microscopic fishes. Little fishes expend enormous amounts of tiny fish.

Answer 2

Answer is explained below;

Step-by-step explanation:

Mercury is a liquid metal that is released into the environment by both natural processes such as volcanic activity, weathering of rocks, etc and human activities such as waste materials from factories. The mercury that reaches the ocean and other water sources is converted into methylmercury by bacteria. Methylmercury is a neurotoxin that interferes with the nervous system and is easily absorbed by the human body.

The methylmercury is taken up by planktons. Small fishes consume large quantities of plankton. Tilapia is a small, short-lived freshwater fish. The methylmercury level in tilapia is lower than that of other fish. When large, long-living predatory fishes such as tuna, shark, king mackerel, swordfish, etc consume many smaller fish with low mercury levels, this causes accumulation of methylmercury at extremely high levels in their tissues over time i.e., the amount of mercury in such bigger fish biomagnifies.

So large, long-lived predators like swordfish and shark often have the highest methyl mercury levels than a small, short-lived tilapia.