Question

To protect yourself from consuming too much _____, you should limit your consumption of swordfish, king mackerel, and shark. a. arsenic b. mercury c. lead d. iron e. iodine

Answer 1

Answer:

b. mercury

Explanation:

Fishes and some other sea foods are are known to concentrate mercury in their bodies. Consumption of these products gradually accumulate mercury in the body over time.

More specifically, fishes like swordfish, king mackerel and shark are known to concentrate higher amount of mercury than other species of fishes. Hence, limiting their consumption will protect humans from mercury poisoning.

The correct option is b.

Answer 2

Answer:

B. Mercury.

Explanation:

Mercury enters the environment naturally and through industrial pollution, mostly from coal-fired power plants. Mercury concentrations in the air are of little concern, but when mercury enters water, microorganisms transform it to a highly toxic form methylmercury that builds up in fish.

These species of fish that are long-lived and high on the food chain, such as marlin, tuna, shark, swordfish and king mackerel contain higher concentrations of mercury than others.

Size is the best predictor of increased levels of accumulated mercury. This is because of its hierarchy on the food chain that is, once this mercury gets into the marine food chain, it accumulates in the larger predators. That’s why larger fish are generally riskier to eat than smaller ones.