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Recovery of Mercury in Solution
Author(s) -
Maag G. W.,
Hecker R. J.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1972.00472425000100020020x
Subject(s) - mercury (programming language) , metal ions in aqueous solution , pollutant , chemistry , environmental chemistry , metal , ion , aluminium , ionic bonding , inorganic chemistry , waste management , organic chemistry , computer science , programming language , engineering
Mercury in the metallic or ionic form is a poisonous pollutant when added to the sewage system. Analytical laboratories frequently use solutions which contain mercury salts and proper disposal of the waste solutions is a problem. A recovery method is described in which aluminum releases its higher energy valence electrons to the mercury ions in solution producing aluminum ions and metallic mercury. The metallic mercury is recovered and the waste solution containing the aluminum ions can be poured down the drain.