Odstraňování rtuti z kyselých roztoků chloridu rtuťnatého sorbenty připravenými katalyzovanou vulkanizací rostlinných olejů

Mercury is a metallic element, dangerous and toxic for the environment. Presently, the incineration of municipal solid waste (MSW) belongs to important sources of Hg emissions. Methods of conversion of metallic mercury and mercury compounds from soluble and toxic forms into water insoluble/non-toxic form (HgS) are sought after. Gaseous HCl and a significant part of HgCl2 vapors present in flue gas from incineration of MSW can be removed there by absorption in hot water. Efficiencies of Hg2+ removal from acidic water solutions by means of sorbents prepared by catalyzed reaction of sulfur with vegetable oils (inverse vulcanization) were studied. These kinds of sorbents were tested and found to be exploitable for selective removal of mercury ions from aqueous solutions, particularly from acidic solutions containing HCl at higher temperatures (50–75 °C). Presence of relatively high concentrations of salts of some other metallic elements (Fe, Zn, Ca) had only very small effects on Hg-sorption. Mercury adsorbed on such sorbents converts relatively quickly into a non-toxic form (HgS). Reactive sulfides and SH‑groups present on the surface of the sorbent particles contribute to a faster sorption of mercury and its conversion to HgS. Leaching of zinc from the catalyst (Zn‑diethyldithiocarbamate) present in the vulcanized sorbents is negligible at neutral conditions and small (about 10 %) at acidic conditions (pH = 1.5).

Attempted homicide by instilling elemental mercury in the respiratory tract: A two-year follow-up

We describe a case of attempted homicide by instilling elemental mercury through an endotracheal tube into the respiratory tract. Radiographs revealed the presence of metallic mercury in both lungs. During a 2-year follow-up, mercury droplets disappeared from the lungs and only mild clinical symptoms were identified, without evidence of wider toxicity or organ damage.

Direct evidence for metallic mercury causing photo-induced darkening of red cinnabar tempera paints

Photo-induced darkening of red cinnabar (HgS) has attracted the interest of many researchers as it drastically impacts the visual perception of artworks. Darkening has commonly been related to metallic mercury (Hg0) formation in the presence of chlorides. Based on the study of UV-aged cinnabar pigment and tempera paint we propose an alternative pathway for the blackening reaction of cinnabar, considering its semiconductor properties and pigment-binder interactions. We demonstrate that darkening is caused by the oxidation of cinnabar to mercury sulfates and subsequent reduction to Hg0 via photo-induced electron transfer without the involvement of chlorides, and provide direct evidence for the presence of Hg0 on UV-aged tempera paint. Photooxidation also affects the organic binder, causing a competing depletion of photo-generated holes and consequently limiting but not impeding mercury sulfate formation and subsequent reduction to Hg0. In addition, organics provide active sites for Hg0 sorption, which is ultimately responsible for the darkening of cinnabar-based paint.

Bioaccumulated Mercury by Several Types of Plants in Ex-Traditional Gold Processing Area, Gogorea Village, Buru Island

This study examines the accumulation of metallic mercury by several types of plants in the traditional gold processing area in the village of Gogore, Buru district. The plants that were sampled in this study were guava, lempuyang gajah, and harendong bulu. These three plant species were chosen because they dominate the vegetation in the gold processing area. The analysis results showed that the lempuyang gajah was the plant that accumulated the highest mercury metal, namely in the roots of 16.79 ppm and the leaves of 15.03 ppm. Guava plants accumulated metal mercury in the roots and leaves of 11.73 ppm and 9.90 ppm, respectively. Meanwhile, harendong plants accumulated mercury in the roots and leaves of 2.59 ppm and 10.39 ppm, respectively. The BCF values ​​of guava, lempuyang gajah, and harendong bulu plants were 1.58, 0.41, and 0.39, respectively. Meanwhile, the TF values ​​of the three plants were 0.84, 0.89, and 4.01, respectively. From these results, it can be concluded that the three plants can accumulate mercury in high enough concentrations, so these three types of plants are categorized as hyper tolerant plants and accumulators.

Diagnostic value of IL-17 in neurointoxication with mercury

It is known that sufficient changes are observed in cellular and humoral links of immune system upon chronic exposure vapors of metallic mercury. In previous studies, upon development and in the course of the chronic mercury intoxication (CMI) we revealed pronounced regular changes of inflammatory mediators (IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNFα), and showed an important role of autoimmune reactions affecting nervous tissue proteins. Over last 20 years, an increased interest was shown for interleukin 17 (IL-17) and its role in a number of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, there is no data on its role in neurointoxication with mercury. Considering that IL-17 has proinflammatory activity and stimulates production of the individual cytokines, the goal of our work at the next stage of research, was to identify quantitative changes of serum IL-17 in patients with mercury neurointoxication of various severity, aiming to substantiate additional criteria for early and effective diagnosis of the disease.The study was performed in males chronically exposed to metallic mercury vapors with early signs of neurointoxication (n = 37), individuals diagnosed with CMI (n = 40), and “conditionally healthy” men (n = 34). Proper diagnosis confirmed by history of working contacts with a harmful industrial factor, and absence of comorbid pathologies served as inclusion criteria. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the STATISTICA 6.0 application package (StatSoft, USA). The study has revealed a statistically significant increase in serum IL-17 concentrations, both in the patients with early signs of neurointoxication with metallic mercury vapors, and individuals with CMI, when compared with the comparison group, thus indicating its activation, and being consistent with results of several workers who showed an IL-17 increase in immunoinflammatory diseases. Correlation analysis has shown an association between IL-17 and inflammatory mediators, i.e., the patients with early signs of neurointoxication had an increased production of IL-17 accompanied by an increase in anti-inflammatory IL-10, whereas the CMI patients with an increase in IL-17 concentration showed a decrease in pro-inflammatory TNFα, thus confirming its role in immunopathogenesis of mercury neurointoxication. Further study of IL-17 involvement in the initiation and maintenance of chronic inflammation will not only contribute to better understanding of the disease origin, but also, most importantly, implication of novel, more effective treatments.

Mercury as a cause of membranous nephropathy and Guillain–Barre syndrome: case report and literature review

Secondary renal involvement in chronic exposure to metallic mercury is well known. Mercury also causes central nervous system damage and demyelinating polyneuropathy. Here, we describe a case of a patient with daily exposure to mercury in skin lightening cream and hair dyes who was diagnosed with Guillain–Barre syndrome and then developed nephrotic syndrome because of membranous neuropathy. By reviewing the literature describing mercury-associated diseases, we found that mercury components have an immunomodulatory activity, which is also involved in both peripheral neuropathy and glomerulonephritis.

Technology of mercury removal from exhaust from coal fired boilers

For the Polish power industry, the basic fuel is hard coal and lignite, which contains significant amounts of mercury. Current emission standards in the European Union (IED directive and in the near future BAT conclusions) create conditions for investment in flue gas cleaning installations for coal-fired power plants. During the combustion of coal, mainly metallic mercury (Hg0) is produced, which is difficult to remove from the flue gas in dedusting installations (electrostatic precipitators and fabric filters) and wet flue gas desulphurization plants. In these installations, oxidized mercury (Hg2+) and ash bound mercury (Hg(p)) are removed. In order to reduce the mercury concentration in flue gases, the DEMERTEC technology was created, which is based on the oxidation of metallic mercury to an oxidized form and its removal from flue gas in an existing flue gas de-dusting or de-sulphurization installations. The article presents the results of field tests of the DEMERTEC technology for flue gas from hard coal and lignite. This technology was tested on a ~ 400 MWe unit fed with lignite and on an FGD absorber in which flue gas was purified from two units with a capacity of 195 and 220 MWe fed with hard coal. In both cases, mercury emissions were reduced below the levels required by the BAT conclusions.