Mercury
formula: Hg; CAS Registry Number: 7439-97-6
Naturally occurring highly toxic transition metal, which is liquid at standard conditions for temperature and pressure
In the environment it is present as metallic mercury (i.e. as vapour or liquid) and as inorganic and organic compounds. The different Hg-species differ considerably in their environmental behaviour, bioavailability, metabolism and toxicity.
Mercury is used in electric- and electronic industries, in measurement technology and pyrotechnics as well as in chemical- and pharmaceutical industries, medicine and dentistry. Until the mid 1980s it was permitted for biocidal seed treatment in German agriculture.
It may enter the environment through anthropogenic activities and natural processes like weathering, volcanic action, evaporation from soils and waters and forest fires. Soils are the biggest reservoir of mercury.
Environmentally relevant characteristics of mercury and its compounds include:
- high toxicity
- tumour-promoting activity
- in animal experiments carcinogenic and reproduction toxic
- possibly endocrine disrupting activity
- high bioaccumulation potential
- high biomagnification potential
Recommended analysis examples
Search data
Specimen
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Common mussel species as invasive animal in rivers and lakes with high information level for water pollution
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Bioindicator in rivers and lakes
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Fine insoluble mineral or organic particles in the water phase
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Common brown alga of the coastal areas of the North and Baltic Sea
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One of the most important edible mussel species common in the North and Baltic Sea
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As the only viviparous fish in German nearshore waters, it is a bioindicator in nearshore coastal marine ecosystems.
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Inshore, the herring gull mainly feeds from the sea: upon fish, mussels, and crabs.
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A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.
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A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.
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A deciduous tree typical of ecosystems close to dense conurbations and an indicator for the characterisation of the immission situation during the vegetation period.
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As the most dominant deciduous tree species in Central Europe, it plays a significant role in most nearly natural and also anthropogenically influenced forest ecosystems up to an altitude of 1100 m.
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The roe deer is the most common of the larger herbivores (first order-consumer) to be found in the wild in Europe.
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A pigeon species home in nearly every city.
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As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).
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As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).
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Soil is livelihood and biosphere for humans, animals, plants and soil organisms. All the substances brought in are transported, transformed and/or accumulated in the soil.
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Student groups with an even number of female and male students at the age of 20 to 29.
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Sampling area
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The only high mountains national park in Germany and an area of the Limestone Alps with international relevance
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Important, old-industrialised conurbation in Germany.
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Main water divide between the North- and Baltic Sea
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Longest river in Germany
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Germany's first national park
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National Park in the largest brackish water (Bodden) habitat of the world.
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National park in the world largest connected sand and mud flats.
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Fourth largest river basin in Central Europe
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Region in the chemical triangle of Central Germany
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Germany's largest forest national park
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Second highest and largest low mountain range in Northern Germany
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Germany's largest connected forest area in a range of low mountains
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The Upper Bavarian Tertiary Uplands are a part of the Southern German Molasse Basin
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Second largest river in Europe
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4 university cities as sampling areas.
Sampling period
1984 - 2024
Extended information
Links to external information and legislation
- ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - Toxicological Profile for Mercury (external)
- Reference values for arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) and metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Ni, Tl, U, Pt) in blood or urine (PDF, external source) (external)
- Minamata Convention on Mercury (external)
- Ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury by the EU (external)
- New environmental convention to limit mercury emissions worldwide (external)
Literature
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Mercury levels and trends (1993-2009) in bream (Abramis brama L.) and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) from German surface waters
Lepom, Peter; Irmer, Ulrich; Wellmitz, Jörg
Chemosphere 86 (2012), 2, 202-211, 2012
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Integrierte Bewertung von Quecksilber anhand der Erhebungen der Umweltprobenbank des Bundes (UPB)
Schulz, Florian; Hahn, Stefan; Rüdel, Heinz; Uhlig, Steffen; Hettwer, Karina; Kaltenbach, Hans-Michael
Fraunhofer ITEM Hannover; Fraunhofer IME Schmallenberg; QuoData GmbH Dresden; 2015. - 236, Projektnummer (32 842), 2015