Articles tagged with Elemental Mercury
Researchers found that microbes can use mercury sulfide nanominerals as an energy source, releasing volatile elemental mercury into the air. The study estimates that this process could release hundreds of tons of mercury per year, comparable to cement production.
Researchers found elevated levels of lead, arsenic, copper, cadmium, and antimony in metal recycling workers' blood and urine, highlighting the need for better cleaning practices and respiratory protection. The study's results emphasize the importance of monitoring rare earth metals and implementing measures to reduce workplace exposure.
Researchers from UK and Canada will study ways to reduce mining's environmental footprint and enhance efficiency across critical mineral value chains. The project aims to develop new geological models and exploration tools for rare earth element deposits, aiming to diversify the supply chain and ensure high environmental standards.
New research from Tulane University finds that global riverine mercury pollution has more than doubled since the pre-industrial era, with primary drivers including wastewater discharge, soil erosion, and industrial activities. This increase poses significant health risks to humans and wildlife through consumption of contaminated fish.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a cost-effective way to track atmospheric mercury using wild fig tree rings in the Peruvian Amazon. This method offers a potential solution for understanding mercury spread and impact on ecosystems.
Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have created a new method for removing mercury from concentrated sulphuric acid, reducing levels by more than 90%. This innovation could lead to reduced mercury emissions and the production of high-purity, non-toxic products in industries such as mining and metal refining.
Researchers discovered that ancient Maya cities in Mesoamerica were heavily polluted with mercury, contaminating the soil and water. The pollution was caused by the frequent use of mercury and cinnabar paints, powders, and other products, which leached into the environment and pose a potential health hazard today.
Researchers develop a new method to assess inconsistencies in mercury trade data for ASGM, highlighting potential illegal and informal mercury use flows. The study identifies inconsistencies in Hg trade statistics in African, Central and South American, and some Asian countries.
A team of scholars at the University of Bologna revived and studied ancient alchemical texts, then put procedures into practice in the laboratory. The results revealed unexpected methods for mercury extraction and the use of substances like natron and iron in sublimation processes.
Research suggests that glacier retreat leads to increased mercury uptake by vegetation, which can sequester more mercury than released glaciers. This phenomenon is not accounted for in current global models and has significant implications for global mercury cycling.
High levels of molecular chlorine have been detected in the Arctic atmosphere, with concentrations peaking at 400 parts per trillion. The discovery highlights the potential for molecular chlorine to influence atmospheric chemistry and has implications for mercury cycling and ozone formation.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that elemental mercury can be converted to methylmercury by bacteria in environments lacking oxygen. This discovery complicates mercury cleanup efforts and highlights the need for further research on microbial mercury methylation.
Research reveals that the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere facilitate the transformation of elemental mercury into oxidized mercury, which can be deposited into aquatic ecosystems. This process enables mercury to enter the food chain, posing environmental risks.