Introduction to MercuryJOHN HOGGATT

A little Bit of History Element #80

Hydrargyrum

Dates back to 1500 BC

Used as pigments and vaccinations

Characteristics Liquid at room temp

Rarely found in nature

Mined as Cinnabar

Low melting / freezing point’s

Color determines grade of ore

Can be transformed into other forms of mercury

Geologic Formations Found in two places

Near volcanic margins

Felsic intrusive

Hot springs

Hydrothermal source

Production Percentage in crust

China

Kyrgyzstan

Rest of the world

Extraction Process Hot springs

◦ Open pit / Underground◦ Sulfur bank mine CA

Near volcanic margins◦ Underground

Industrial Uses Power generation

Chemical plants

Artisanal mining

Commercial / Practical Uses Fish consumption

Thermometers

Barometers

Fluorescent lamps

Vaccinations

Hat making industry 1800’s

Different Forms of MercuryBituminous coal• Key ingredient

Elemental mercury• Ionic reduction

Oxidized mercury• Smoke stacks

Methylmercury• Final product

Geoplolitics EPA measures

Clean Air Act 1993

Safe Drinking Water Act

Emission Standards

Some Odd Stuff Wouldn’t You Say???

Alchemists thought of mercury as the father to all elements

Only three other elements are liquid at room temp ◦ Cesium, Gallium, and Rubidium

References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(element)#Etymology_and_history

http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/hg.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/016544.html#

And 28 others that wouldn’t fit