Question

Cycles of mercury

Answer 1

Mercury in the environment is constantly cycled and recycled through a biogeochemical cycle. The cycle consists of six major process.

(a) Degassing of mercury from soils, rock, and water surfaces, or from the human activities or from the emissions of volcanoes.

(b) Movement in gaseous form through the atmosphere.

(c) Deposition of mercury on land and water surfaces.

(d) Converting the element into some insoluble mercury sulfide.

(e) Precipitation or bioconversion into more volatile or soluble forms such as methylmercury.