Mercury Pollution in the United States

Running Head : Mercury Pollution in the United States

Mercury Pollution in the United States (Name (Institution (Name of Instructor (Course Subject

MERCURY POLLUTION IN THE UNITED STATES

Mercury , as denoted by the chemical symbol Hg , is an inorganic element that is commonly used in industrial applications . It finds its use in thermal and pressure applications , as an electrical conductor , and as a catalyst in various chemical reactions ( HYPERLINK "http /www .usgs .gov " www .usgs .gov , 2002 ) As a catalyst , it speeds up the formation of a certain product in a given chemical process

or reaction . Also , it is a highly toxic element that can be found in the environment , whether natural or caused by human activities ( HYPERLINK "http /www .epa .gov " www .epa .gov , 2006

Mercury exists in three different types : the pure element , the inorganic form such as mercuric chloride and as part of organic compound such as in phenyl mercuric propionate . Elemental mercury is a liquid at 37oC and it is emitting mercury vapors that can be absorbed in the blood upon exposure and exhalation by the lungs . Inorganic mercury can be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract if ingested through the mouth while the organic form of mercury can enter the body through the stomach , skin and lungs ( HYPERLINK "http /www .pp .okstate .edu " www .pp .okstate .edu , 2007

To be exact , the different forms of mercury includes the elemental mercury which is Hg , cation form such as Hg2 , mercuric sulfide or HgS which is present in ores , mercuric oxide or HgO , and mercuric chloride or HgCl2 . In this forms where mercury is combined with other elements the mercury is said to be in its salt form . If mercury is present in other forms that contain Carbon , the mercury is said to be in the organic mercury form . Examples of organic mercury are dimethylmercury or (CH3 )2Hg . Phenylmercury or C6H5Hg , ethylmercury or CH3CH2Hg and methylmercury or CH3Hg ( HYPERLINK "http /www .chem .unep .ch www .chem .unep .ch , n .d

As an element , mercury can be found in ores and fuels . Although present mercury from these sources exists only in trace amounts since they are present only as contaminants . Also , different types of emissions coming from the natural environment give off mercury . This includes our marine environment and terrestrial environment , particularly those that have a volcanic and geothermal activity . Mercury as produced from the natural environment is also present in geologic deposits , volatilization from oceans , and from thermal springs . It is also present in water , soil , and rock sediments but only to a trace amount ( HYPERLINK "http /www .epa .gov " www .epa .gov , 2006

Atmospheric deposition is the main source of mercury in different landforms . It is continuously present in a series of cycle that causes its existence for a long period of time ( HYPERLINK "http /www .epa .gov " www .epa .gov , 2006 ) Mercury in the atmosphere is in the form of mercury vapor , as denoted by the chemical symbol HgO Upon entry to the atmosphere , mercury vapor can...