Mercury

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a pervasive and hazardous heavy metal pollutant, originating from both natural sources and human activities. The global concern over mercury pollution escalated following the Minamata disease incident in Japan during the 1950s. Mercury can exist in liquid form at room temperature and as a gas, enabling long-distance atmospheric travel. Human activities, including industrial processes, fossil fuel combustion, and mineral extraction, significantly contribute to mercury emissions, with approximately 2220 tons emitted globally in 2015. Mercury pollution in soil, primarily driven by anthropogenic activities such as mining and coal combustion, poses severe environmental and health risks. Mercury in soil exists in inorganic and organic forms, with methylmercury being particularly toxic due to its bioaccumulation and neurotoxic effects. Remediation of mercury-contaminated soil involves physical, chemical, and biological methods. Thermal desorption, a key physical remediation technique, uses heat to volatilize and remove mercury from soil. This method’s efficacy depends on soil characteristics, mercury speciation, and operational parameters. However, high temperatures can degrade soil quality, necessitating a balance between effective mercury removal and maintaining soil usability.This chapter provides an overview of mercury’s sources, toxicity, and various remediation techniques, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to mitigate its environmental and health impacts.