Skip to main content
Log in

The behavior of mercury in the physical environment

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In an earlier paper (Brosset, 1982) the total Hg in air over Sweden was discussed. The present paper is mainly devoted to oxidized Hg, its origin, transportation and reaction with water. A new nomenclature has been introduced based on the physical properties of Hg-compounds which determine their distribution between air and water and also, as has been the custom hitherto, on their oxidation-reduction properties. It has been established that precipitation contains Hg-salts which are formed through oxidation of metallic vapor in an acid water phase. Rather stable Hg-compounds which seem to be anthropogenic and of the same origin as soot particles are also found in the precipitation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andrén, A. and Nriagu, J.: 1979, The Bioch. of Mercury in the Environment, Elsevier, pp. 1–21.

  • Billings, C. and Matson, W.: 1972, Science 176, 1232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings, C. et al.: 1973, Am. Pollut. Control Ass. 23(9), 773.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brosset, C.: 1976, Ambio 5, 157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brosset, C.: 1982, Water, Air, and Soil Pollut. 17, 37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brosset, C.: 1983a, Nat. Sci. Tech. 15, 59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brosset, C.: 1983b, Pont. Acad. Scient. Scr. Varia 56, 179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diel, R. et al.: 1972, Tech. Prog. Rep. 54, U.S. Dept. of the Interior.

  • Faucher, 1973, in M. G. Curry (ed.) Trace Element Emissions from the Combustion of Fossil Fuels, Cycling Contr. Metals, Proc. Environ. Resour. Conf. 1972, pp. 109–113.

  • Ferm, M.: 1986, Personal communication.

  • Ferrara, R. et al.: 1985, Atmos. Environ. 19, 000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gavis, J. and Ferguson, J.: 1972, Water Research 6, 989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivanov, M. and Freney, J.: 1983, USSR Acad. Sci. ICSU, Nauka Publ., Moscow.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iverfeldt, Å.: 1984, Thesis, Gothenburg University.

  • Iverfeldt, Å.: and Lindqvist, O.: 1982, Atmos. Environ. 16, 2917.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iverfeldt, Å.: and Lindqvist, O.: 1986, Atmos. Environ. 20, 1567.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iverfeldt, Å.: and Persson, I.: 1985, Inorg. Chem. ACTA 103, 113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalb, G.: 1975, in S. P. Babu (ed.), ACS Series 141, American Chemical Society, Wash. DC, pp. 154–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. and Fitzgerald, W.: 1986, Science231, 1131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lerman, A.: 1979, Geochemical Processes, Water and Sediment Environments, John Wiley and Son, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindberg, S.: 1980, Atmos. Environ. 14, 227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanemassa, J.: 1975, Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan 48, 1795.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, B. and Siegel, S.: 1979, in Nriagu (ed.), The Biogeochemistry of Mercury in the Environment, Elsevier, North-Holland, Biomedical Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slemr, F. et al.: 1985, J. Atmos. Chem. (in press).

  • Talmi, Y. and Mesmer, R. E.: 1975, Water Res. 9, 547.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Brosset, C. The behavior of mercury in the physical environment. Water Air Soil Pollut 34, 145–166 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00184757

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00184757

Keywords

Navigation