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RECORD NUMBER: 40 OF 291

Main Title Chemistry of Organomercurials in Aquatic Systems.
Author Baughma, George L. ; Gordo, John A. ; Wol, N. Lee ; Zep, Richard G. ;
CORP Author Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Ga. Southeast Environmental Research Lab.
Year Published 1973
Report Number EPA-31030-QQG; 03328,; 660/3-73-012
Stock Number PB-226 889
Additional Subjects Mercury organic compounds ; Water chemistry ; Hydroxides ; Sunlight ; Photochemical reactions ; Reaction kinetics ; Metal containing organic compounds ; Chemical reactions ; Photolysis ; pH ; Sulfur organic compounds ; Chemical equilibrium ; Quantum efficiency ; Reviews ; Acidolysis ; Decomposition reactions ; Salts ; Chlorides ; Mercury/dimethyl ; Mercury/diphenyl ; Reaction rates
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NTIS  PB-226 889 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 109p
Abstract
Kinetics in water of some chemical and photochemical reactions postulated as key transformations in the environmental mercury cycle were investigated. Decomposition of dimethylmercury (DMM) and diphenylmercury (DPM) by acids and mercuric salts was investigated. Theoretical evidence indicates that loss of elemental mercury or DMM at the air-water interface can be important in turbulent systems. Dimethylmercury, methylmercuric chloride, methylmercuric hydroxide, and methylmercuric ion were not decomposed by sunlight, but phenyl-mercury and sulfur-bonded methylmercuric species were readily decomposed to inorganic mercury. Detailed equilibrium calculations indicate that the sulfur-bonded methylmercuric species are the predominant species in natural waters. Quantum yields for these reactions are presented along with a technique for calculating sunlight photolysis rates from laboratory data. The chemical literature concerning the kinetics of chemical and photochemical decomposition of organomercurials is reviewed. (Modified author abstract)