China solves the mystery of the formation of methylmercury, the culprit of "Minamata disease" in the environment

Methylmercury has strong neurotoxicity and is easy to be enriched and amplified in the food chain and biosphere.

Recently, a study by Professor Zhang Tong's team from the School of Environmental Science and Engineering of Nankai University on "the mechanism of the microbial methylation process of mercury-containing mineral nanoparticles" solved this scientific mystery.

According to reports, mercury is a heavy metal pollutant that is ubiquitous in nature (including the atmosphere, water, soil and the biosphere).

"During the methylation process of nano-mercury, we have observed significant crystal face effects.

"On the basis of clarifying the natural decay mechanism of mercury methylation potential, we are expected to develop a low-cost, environmentally friendly in-situ methylmercury pollution prevention and control technology to provide a new strategy for the global control of mercury pollution.