Question

Why are carbon compounds that contain mercury and a greater environment concern then elemental mercury?

Answer 1

Well, organic chemistry is not my strong suit, but my understanding is that it's very hard for the body to metabolize most pure metals. Since the body of any living organism is composed of organic compounds, it would stand to reason that it's easier to absorb other organic compounds. Though the pure metal obviously has a higher concentration of mercury, my understanding is that the organic compounds containing mercury are absorbed more fully into living organisms. I'll leave the specific explanation to someone who knows more than I do, but I think that's the general idea. Cheers!

Answer 2

Ok, just because i like this one.
Elemental mercury, as I understand from what you are saying, would be pure. That means that mercury atoms stick or react with each other. The idea is that they are STABLE. With organic compounds containing mercury, it should be that the mercury is UNSTABLE. It is easily removed from the compound, AND this means that it can become attached to another compound. This is dangerous because any Mercury that does this would damage other compounds as it tries to become stable.
*** It's like saying, I lost my $200 so I am going to STEAL it from HARRY
Elemental mercury is therefore safer. It doesn't "steal" anything