Abstract
Accurate and rapid measurements of low-concentration mercury and other biologically-related elements in the environment are believed to be very important. A necessary and sufficient elucidation of the physicochemical properties of target elements makes it possible to analyze the elements both more accurately and definitely. In this review the physicochemical properties necessary for analyses are elucidated, taking mercury as an example. The described physicochemical properties of mercury can be divided into three aspects: (1) gas-liquid equilibrium for vaporization and absorption of mercury, (2) permeation phenomenon of mercury vapor through polymer films, and (3) behavior upon irradiation by a mercury lamp.
