The concentrations of metal measured in animals collected from the AtoNs were
extremely low.
Maximum mercury concentrations measured in all organisms, including clams in
areas where
batteries could have been significant contributors, were less than 0.1 ppm
(wet weight). None of
the mercury found in tissue samples could be linked to batteries, since far-
field samples had
higher concentrations on average than those taken near batteries.
Methyl mercury Results
Initial planning for the investigation considered an assessment of methyl
mercury important
because of the potential biological effects. However there were no bench
marks for comparison
or assessment of effects so several assumptions were made to add insight to
the meaning of the
data. The percentage of total mercury present in the methyl form was used
for comparison
because it provides some indication of methylation rates and bio avalability
relative to other locations
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