Mercury is a unique metal that is r

Mercury is a unique metal that is released into the environment from both natural sources and
human-related processes. Mercury is unusual in that it is the only metal that is liquid at room
temperature. However, it is much more commonly found as a solid or gas. Like other elements,
mercury is not broken down; it can only change from once chemical state to another, and so it is
extremely persistent in the environment. The toxicity of mercury depends on its chemical form,
and we are usually most worried about a type of mercury called methylmercury. Methylmercury
is the form of mercury that builds up in food chains and causes health effects in humans and
wildlife.