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

Question

trancenova · Answer

Firstly mercury found in carbon compounds is more easily ingested and taken up by fish and therefore eaten by people causing poisoning. Found within carbon compounds it is also more likely to move up the food chain and become more concentrated. There is alot of information in this article if you can access it: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.library.uwa.edu.au/doi/10.1002/tox.10116/abstract;jsessionid=DF98E55D98AA81A0E6662024828B9195.d03t04

anonymous · Answer

Great question, I had no idea that mercury-containing carbon compounds such as methylmercury were so much more dangerous than elemental mercury. After some snooping, found this site with some helpful info: http://www.usgs.gov/themes/factsheet/146-00/