To: Moosilauke; LurkingSince'98
I'm no chemist and am only repeating what I was told by chemists and biologists.
The mercury from gold mining that got into tributaries to the Sacramento River is no danger by itself. It accumulates in crevices and bottom mud. But anaerobic bacteria go to work on it, absorbing it into their systems. They in turn are eaten by snails, etc. which are eaten by fish. I'm not sure of the chemistry involved but mercury collects in animal tissues and is not excreted. It is passed on and on until it ends up in our frying pans and barbecues. I was told that's why mercury from batteries is dangerous in landfills. It's the absence of oxygen that allows it to be converted by bacteria into methylmercury. If I'm wrong blame my sources.
To: Bernard Marx
You know, people keep stabbing themselves with forks. If we put our minds to it, we can prepare all food to be consumed with spoons. Should we outlaw forks next? I also recommend Brothers Outraged Over Bathtubs.
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