Overlooked role of soil microbial-derived carbon in promoting neurotoxic methylmercury production

Key Points

• Methylmercury production is enhanced by microbial-derived carbon, posing risks for neurotoxicity.
• Key evidence shows that increased carbon levels correlate with a notable rise in methylmercury concentrations.
• Assessment using environmental samples across various soils highlights the link between soil microbiome activity and mercury transformations.
• This finding underscores the urgent need to address soil health management to mitigate methylmercury risks.