Concentration, distribution, and translocation of mercury and methylmercury in mine-waste, sediment, soil, water, and fish collected near the Abbadia San Salvatore mercury mine, Monte Amiata district, Italy

► Hg in > 50% of sediment samples exceeded the 1.06 μg/g probable effect concentration. ► Hg in mine waste exceeded the Italian industrial soil screening level of 5 μg/g. ► Sediment methyl-Hg correlated with TOC indicating active Hg methylation. ► 96% of fish muscle samples exceeded the 0.3 μg/g methyl-Hg USEPA standard. ► Data indicate significant bioavailability and transference of Hg to fish.