| Abstract | Isotopic exchanges between organic and inorganic mercury were observed for Ottawa River as wel as for polar and nonpolar organic solvents. The concentration of mercury investigated ranges from 0.1 to 100 ppm, and the exchanges were observed for 24 h under vigorous mechanical mixing at a temperature of 21°C. No or very little (less than 0.52%) isotopic exchange was observed in the Ottawa River water. There was no difference between the two exchange directions, i.e., 203HgCl2 -> CH3HgCl and CH3 203HGCl -> HgCl2. The additional conditions of adding salts, acid, or alkali, changing temperature to 40°, and prolonging the mixing period did not change the results. |
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