Mercury Sources, Applications and Health Impacts

The chemical element mercury is the only metal that is a liquid at standard temperature and pressure. It is an extremely rare element in the Earths crust with an average abundance of only 80 parts per billion. However, where mercury ores do occur they can by very concentrated containing up to 2.5% mercury by mass. The use of these ores, and of mercury itself, by humans has a long history mercury was found in Egyptian tombs dating from 1500 BC. This book covers recent developments and the current state-of-the-art relating to many aspects of mercury science.