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ETHYLMERCURY: FORMATION IN PLANT TISSUES AND RELATION TO METHYLMERCURY FORMATION
Citation:
Fortmann, L., D. Gay, AND K. Wirtz. ETHYLMERCURY: FORMATION IN PLANT TISSUES AND RELATION TO METHYLMERCURY FORMATION. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-78/037 (NTIS PB282093).
Description:
Seedlings of the common dwarf garden pea, Pisum sativum, cv. Little Marvel, exposed to elemental mercury vapor formed both methylmercury and ethylmercury in all parts of the plant. Concentrations of both organomercury compounds fluctuated considerably over a 48-hour exposure period, but the total of detectable forms of mercury continued to rise due to increased ethylmercury formation. Ethylmercury formation was greater in the light than in the dark, but methylmercury concentration did not differ significantly. The pattern of change in the concentrations of methylmercury and ethylmercury suggests both are metabolites of a single mercury pathway in peas.