where does mercury in the ocean come from
Mercury pollution in the ocean
Mercury enters the ocean in different ways . Atmospheric deposition is the largest source of mercury to the oceans . Atmospheric deposition introduces three types of mercury to the ocean . Gaseous elemental mercury ( Hg0 ) enters the ocean through air - water exchange . Inorganic mercury ( Hg2+ / HgII ) and particle - bound mercury ( Hg ( P ) ) enters through wet and dry deposition . In addition , mercury enters the ocean via rivers , estuaries , sediments , and , hydrothermal vents etc . These sources also release organic mercury compounds such as Methyl mercury . Once they are in the ocean they can undergo many reactions primarily grouped as ; redox reactions ( gain or loss of electrons ) , adsorption processes ( binding to solid particles ) , methylation and demethylation ( addition or removal of a methyl group ) . 
Mercury enters the ocean in different ways . Atmospheric deposition is the largest source of mercury to the oceans . Atmospheric deposition introduces three types of mercury to the ocean . Gaseous elemental mercury ( Hg0 ) enters the ocean through air - water exchange . Inorganic mercury ( Hg2+ / HgII ) and particle - bound mercury ( Hg ( P ) ) enters through wet and dry deposition . In addition , mercury enters the ocean via rivers , estuaries , sediments , and , hydrothermal vents etc . These sources also release organic mercury compounds such as Methyl mercury . Once they are in the ocean they can undergo many reactions primarily grouped as ; redox reactions ( gain or loss of electrons ) , adsorption processes ( binding to solid particles ) , methylation and demethylation ( addition or removal of a methyl group ) .
Atmospheric deposition is the largest source of mercury to the oceans. In addition , mercury enters the ocean via rivers , estuaries , sediments , and , hydrothermal vents etc .
Atmospheric deposition is the largest source of mercury to the oceans . In addition , mercury enters the ocean via rivers , estuaries , sediments , and , hydrothermal vents etc .