The data collected from a water body located near an industry is displayed in the figure . Analyse the data.

a. Explain the observed differences in the levels of mercury between primary and secondary consumers.
b. Mention the health problem associated with the consumption of fish captured fromd this water body.

Explanation

a. Primary consumers obtain their foodi directly from the producers and they gt 46 ppm mercury level in their body . The secondary consume the primary consumers as their food, they get high level of merury , i.e., 169 ppm level in their body. A re-markable difference of mercury level , i.e., 123 ppm is observed in the secondary consumer.s body .
b. Suppose that man is the tertiary consumer here . When he eats the secondary or primary consumers , he will be affected by minamata disease ( Mercury poisoning).