“…Since different Hg species present in solid samples are expected to be released at different temperatures (Bombach et al, 1994;Windm3ller et al, 1996), thermal desorption may provide some information on Hg species present in soils. It has been reported that Hg , Hg 2 Cl 2 , HgCl 2 , HgS, and Hg associated with organic matter could be released at <150, 170, 220-250, 300-400, and 200-300 0 C, respectively (Biester et al, 2000;Bombach et al, 1994;Windm5ller et al, 1996). Therefore, it can be assumed that thermal desorption with temperature lower than 180 C adopted in the present study would primarily release Hg 0 and Hg 2 Cl 2 , and probably a small portion of other forms of Hg such as HgCl 2 , Hg(NO 3 ) 2 , HgO (WindmSller et al, 1996).…”