Abstract
Addition of Fe3+ to water containing metallic mercury increased the dissolved mercury (I) concentration, and gas-agitation of the solution allowed the dissolved mercury to volatilize readily at an enriched concentration.
From the results of chemical analysis of the solution, the above phenomenon can be explained as follows :
Fe3+ and metallic mercury interact to form Hg2+ and Fe2+, after which Hg2+ disproportinates into Hg2+ and Hgo, and Hgo volatilizes. Moreover, Hg2+ is reduced to Hg2+ by Fe2+, which becomes oxidized to Fe3+. The Fe3+ formed reacts again with metallic mercury.
A cycle involving these reactions enhances dissolution and volatilization of the mercury.
