Conversion of laboratory stock CH/sub 3//sup 203/HgCl to inorganic /sup 203/Hg

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01611050· OSTI ID:6030074

Medeiros, D M

Some data, which suggest that CH/sub 3//sup 203/HgCl undergoes a chemical breakdown to the inorganic form in a relatively short period of time, are presented. Paper chromatography was used to determine the percent methylmercury of the stock solution. Inorganic mercury remains at the chromatogram origin and methylmercury migrates with the solvent front according to standards used. Percent CH/sub 3//sup 203/HgCl and /sup 203/Hg was determined on day 12, 111, and 267 with respect to day zero. Results show that by day 12, 61.5% of the total /sup 203/Hg was in the form of methylmercury while 26.9% was in the form of inorganic mercury. Total amount of methylmercury was reduced to 16.4% by day 111 and was negligible by day 267. The amount of inorganic mercury rose to 83.6% and almost 100% by days 111 and 267 respectively. These results indicate that /sup 203/Hg-labeled methylmercury chloride appears to break down rapidly to inorganic /sup 203/Hg within the 9 month period studied. The reasons for this observation remain to be explained.

• Research Organization: Mississippi State Univ., MS
• OSTI ID: 6030074
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 27:4; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DECOMPOSITION
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MERCURY 203
MERCURY CHLORIDES
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
MERCURY HALIDES
MERCURY ISOTOPES
METHYLMERCURY
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
RADIOISOTOPES