Graphical depiction of three sources of variation in methylmercury

Graphical depiction of three sources of variation that can affect accumulation of methylmercury in black rails: habitat (sediment) biogeochemistry, food web structure and biomagnification, and diet composition. Methylmercury moves from the sediment into the wetland food web and accumulates in rail tissues. Rails that consume more prey at higher trophic levels in the food web, like spiders and beetles, can accumulate greater concentrations of methylmercury in their tissues, putting them at greater risk of toxic effects.