Tyler Bruno
Prof. Koehler
Biology 117
23 May 2014
Words:743
Mercury in the Bay
During the mid-1800s, the California gold rush was at its peak. There was a huge
increase in the population in the Bay Area at this time. With this increase, it sparked the demand
for fishas the main source of food. This was detrimental to the fish population. Fishermen took
as many edible sea life as they could. This almost caused multiple types of fish to become
extinct. Now, we are faced with a new issue, mercury contaminated fish. Commercial fishing, a
once prosperous industry may be on the verge of being almost extinct. Not only is there a huge
decrease in the fish population, but there has been evidence that the remaining fish can be
contaminated with mercury. It is important to know what mercury contamination is, how it can
affect people, how it is caused, and how we can reduce it.
Mercury contamination has multiple serious effects. According to waterboards.ca.gov,
“Mercury can impair behavior, reproduction and early development of fish.” With mercury
poisoning, this poses a risk to future generations of fish. Not only does mercury have the ability
to kill the fish, but can cause reproductive mutation which can therefore cause a decreased life
span. This may lead to a significant decrease in fish populations in future generations.
Not only does mercury have a negative effect on fish, but it can also cause health
problems with humans. When a person consumes a fish, it may contain methylmercury, a toxic
compound that forms when mercury binds with organic molecules. According to epa.gov,
“mother's consumption of fish and shellfish that contain methylmercury, can adversely affect a
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