Peter A. Krenkel

Mercury: Environmental considerations, part I

Mercury is present in nature, as in the laboratory, in three different oxidation states. Thus mercury is commonly found as the chloride salt, calomel, it is found as the ore cinnabar, and elemental mercury is encountered, usually in the vapor state, wherever certain mercury compounds are subject to high temperatures. This paper discussed mercury in the natural environment and the problems caused when mercury was introduced into the natural environment through pollution of the air, land, and water. 585 references, 64 figures, 46 tables.

Physical and engineering aspects of thermal pollution

The rate of growth of cooling water requirements with particular reference to central electricity generating stations, the possibilities of improved efficiencies in electricity production, the limited availability of cooling water and the mechanisms and means of heat dissipation are detailed. Also described are the effects of heated discharges upon the biota and the hydrodynamics of the receiving waters.

Mercury pollution: The making of an environmental crisis

The sources, uptake pathways, and biological effects of mercury are reviewed. Mercury is discussed as a generic environmental problem, and the governmental response to the issue is discussed and analyzed.