Mercury and the Grassy Narrows Notes Flashcards
1
Q
What is bioaccumulation?
A
When a substance (mercury) accumulates in an organisms tissues faster than it is excreted
2
Q
What is biomagnification?
A
Explains how animals that are higher in the food chain will have higher concentrations of mercury that those lower in the food chain.
(Predator eats prey that has consumed pollutant, pollutant transfers into the predator)
3
Q
How much mercury did the reed paper company dump into the river?
A
9 tonnes on mercury
4
Q
How long does it take for mercury concentrations in fish to drop back to normal after flooding?
A
10-20 years
5
Q
What is minamata?
A
A disease caused by mercury poisoning
Found in many people of the grassy narrows
