Mercury methylation by bacteria

✍ Scribed by Dr. J. T. Trevors

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 465 KB
• Volume: 26
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0233-111X
• DOI: 10.1002/jobm.3620260811

✦ Synopsis

Bacteria capable of methylating Hg2+ have been isolated from sediment, water, soil and the gastrointestinal tract of humans. However, very little is known about the physiology and genetics of the mechanisms controlling Hg2+ methylation. Mercury methylation can be either chromosomal or plasmid-encoded in bacteria. I n addition, tho extent of nonbiological methylation is not well understood in environmental samplcs, where there are numerous physical, chemical and biological fmtors that control the methylation process.