Question

13) Mercury is an environmental pollutant because it can be converted by certain bacteria into the very poisonous substance dimethyl mercury, (CH3)2Hg. This compound ends up in the food chain and accumulates in the tissues of aquatic organisms, particularly fish, which renders them unsafe to eat. It is estimated that in the United States, 261 tons of mercury are released into the atmosphere each year. If only 1.4 percent of this mercury is eventually changed to (CH3)2Hg, how many pounds of this compound are formed annually?

Answer 1

1 ton = 2000 lbs.

261 tons x (2000 lbs/1 ton) x 0.014 x (molar mass (CH3)2Hg/atomic mass Hg) =

Answer 2

8403.96

Answer 3

that should be 261 tons x 2000 lb x 0.014 x (Ar Hg/Mr (CH3)2Hg)