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Fumigation of agricultural products. XI. —sorption of mercury vapour by wheat
Author(s) -
Gorringe B. S.
Publication year - 1955
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740061209
Subject(s) - mercury (programming language) , sorption , fumigation , environmental chemistry , chemistry , moisture , agronomy , organic chemistry , biology , adsorption , computer science , programming language
A more sensitive modification of an ultra‐violet absorption method for detecting mercury vapour is described, capable of detecting IO −10 g. of mercury vapour in approximately 50 ml. of air. No sorption of mercury vapour could be detected on Pyrex glass vessels. Sorption on wheat is influenced much more by changes in the moisture content than by changes of temperature within the normal range of both factors. Most of the mercury sorbed is chemically combined, but with drier grain some can be recovered by airing. The reaction of mercury vapour with wheat continues even after two years' exposure to the fumigant. Concentrations of mercury lethal to normal grain weevil eggs are likely to extend for two feet around foci of diffusion in a mass of grain. Health hazards appear to be slight.