Methylmercury as Percentage of Total Mercury in Flesh and Viscera of Salmon and Sea Trout of Various Ages

Abstract

The proportion of methylmercury to total mercury in the flesh of salmon (Salmo salar) 1 to 7 years old and sea trout (Salmo ocla) 1 and 2 years old was found to average 93 percent with a range of 81 to 98 percent, and to be independent of the age of the fish. In salmon and sea trout 1 and 2 years old, methylmercury constituted 26 to 67 percent of the total visceral mercury, without age dependence.