Toxicology

Toxicology

The main form of mercury in nature is Mercury (II) Sulfide (HgS), which is the main ore for the production of this metal. Other mineral forms include crystal structure of Corderoite (Hg3S2Cl2), (HgSb4S8), and forms such as mercuric oxide (Hg0), the mercuric chloride (HgCl2), and the schuetteita (Hg3(SO4)O2). It can bind to molecules in the body forming the living cell (nucleic acids, proteins) modifying their structure or inhibit their biological activities. Mercury is highly toxic, both in metallic form, as well as inorganic compounds. In many aquatic organisms, such as methanogenic bacteria, is able to methylate mercury, that is, connect to ...