Mercury volatilisation

Moreno, F.N., Anderson, C.W.N., Stewart, R.B., and Robinson, B.H., Phytofiltration of mercury-contaminated water Volatilisation and plant-accumulation aspects, Environmental and Experimental Botany, 62, 78-85, 2008. 

A hanging mercury drop electrodeposition technique has been used [297] for a carbon filament flameless atomic absorption spectrometric method for the determination of copper in seawater. In this method, copper is transferred to the mercury drop in a simple three-electrode cell (including a counterelectrode) by electrolysis for 30 min at -0.35 V versus the SCE. After electrolysis, the drop is rinsed and transferred directly to a prepositioned water-cooled carbon-filament atomiser, and the mercury is volatilised by heating the filament to 425 °C. Copper is then atomised and determined by atomic absorption. The detection limit is 0.2 pg copper per litre simulated seawater. 

Experiment.— Mercury is allowed to fall, in a fine rain, on to melted sulphur a black substance is produced this black substance is heated in a closed vessel, it is volatilised and transformed into a beautiful red solid. 

Gaseous and volatilised analytes can also be easily determined by FAAS and ETAAS. For example, the determination of several elements by the formation of covalent volatile hydrides e.g. arsenic, selenium) and cold vapour generation (mercury and cadmium) is feasible with good analytical sensitivity (see Section 1.4.1.1). 

Mercuric arsenide forms microscopic mamellated crystals. When dry it oxidises readily in the air to arsenious oxide and mercury. On heating it volatilises without melting, forming a sublimate of arsenic and mercury and a little arsenious oxide. The arsenide is therefore dried under diminished pressure. When heated with an alkyl iodide, a diarsonium mercuriodide of the type As2R6I2.2HgI2 is formed.8... 

The amalgam has a silvery appearance, and with 12 per cent, of platinum is soft and greasy to the touch, but higher percentages of platinum increase its stiffness. When heated strongly the mercury is volatilised and platinum remains as a grey residue. 

When the body becomes volatilised and united with the Mercury, even though he does not ascend. 

To make that which is manifest occult and that which is occult manifest This expression means nothing else but the dissolution of the Fixed into Mercurial Water, with its subsequent volatilisation in view. 

VAPOUR — The Philosophers testify that the First Matter of Metals is a Vapour which solidifies and becomes specialised into a given metallic substance by the action of the Sulphur with which it combines in the bowels of the earth. And as they have called the Magisterium at the White the First Matter of their Metals, so also have they applied to it the name of Vapour. But by the same term they at times designate their Mercury during the period of its volatilisation, because it is then... 

AHyl mercuric iodide, CH2-CH CH2-HgI. o Anyi iodide containing a trace of dissolved iodine, readily reacts with mercury. If mercury be shaken with some iodine, then with allyl iodide, an evolution of heat takes place and the mass becomes solid. This may be avoided to some extent by mixing the aiiyl iodide Avith alcohol. The iodide crystallises from alcohol in silvery scales, w hich turn yellow on drying. It commences to volatilise at 100° C. and melts at 135° C.,... 

Mercury can also be lost after volatilisation, by adsorption and chemical reaction, as above. Adsorption is essentially a surface-area and temperature effect and so surface areas should be minimised. Absorption can be noticeable when plastic tubing is used for interconnections. Mercury is also lost if the release tube is heated excessively with vitreous silica this occurs at temperatures of around 900"C. 

Mercury is obtained in like manner with artificial cinnabar, a rare substance, that is one met with rarely. I refer to cinnabar obtained by the dry way and a suitable roasting. It is that above all which is termed dried and easily volatilised, employed in the treating of souls. Having become an etherised spirit, it darts towards the upper hemispheres it descends and ascends, avoiding the action of the fire, until, quitting its role of fugitive, it reaches a state of wisdom. Until it has attained this condition, it is difficult to retain, and is mortal."... 

Tests for the Salts of Mercury. The salts of mercury are all volatilised at a dull red heat—give a white precipitate with prussiate of potash, a black one with sulphuretted hydrogen and hydrosulphurets, an orange-yellow one with gallio acid, and with a plate of polished copper, a white coat of metallic mercurr. 

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