12 Chemistry Research Task Chemical Monitoring and Management

Mercury Its Monitoring and Management

How mercury is introduced into the ecosystem/food chain:

The exact mechanisms by which mercury enters the food chain remain largely unknown and
may vary among ecosystems. Certain bacteria play an important early role. Bacteria that
process sulfate (SO4=) in the environment take up mercury in its inorganic form and convert it
to methylmercury through metabolic processes. The conversion of inorganic mercury to
methylmercury is important because its toxicity is greater and because organisms require
considerably longer to eliminate methylmercury. These methylmercury-containing bacteria
may be consumed by the next higher level in the food chain, or the bacteria may excrete the
methylmercury to the water where it can quickly adsorb to plankton, which are also consumed
by the next level in the food chain. Because animals accumulate methylmercury faster than
they eliminate it, animals consume higher concentrations of mercury at each successive level
of the food chain. Small environmental concentrations of methy-lmercury can thus readily
accumulate to potentially harmful concentrations in fish, fish-eating wildlife and people. Even
at very low atmospheric deposition rates in locations remote from point sources, mercury
biomagnification can result in toxic effects in consumers at the top of these aquatic food
chains.
Effects mercury has on humans:
For fetuses, infants, and children, the primary health effect of methylmercury is impaired
neurological development. Methylmercury exposure in the womb, which can result from a
mother's consumption of fish and shellfish that contain methylmercury, can adversely affect a

12 Chemistry Research Task Chemical Monitoring and Management

baby's growing brain and nervous system. Impacts on cognitive thinking, memory, attention,
language, and fine motor and visual spatial skills have been seen in children exposed to
methylmercury in the womb. Outbreaks of methylmercury poisonings have made it clear that
adults, children, and developing fetuses are at risk from ingestion exposure to methylmercury.
During these poisoning outbreaks some mothers with no symptoms of nervous system
damage gave birth to infants with severe disabilities, it became clear that the developing
nervous system of the fetus may be more vulnerable to methylmercury than is the adult
nervous system. In addition to the subtle impairments noted above, symptoms of
methylmercury poisoning may include; impairment of the peripheral vision; disturbances in
sensations ("pins and needles" feelings, usually in the hands, feet, and around the mouth);
lack of coordination of movements; impairment of speech, hearing, walking; and muscle
weakness. People concerned about their exposure to methylmercury should consult their
physician.
Monitoring and management:
Water samples are tested for mercury
Equipment
The main piece of equipment in the mercury removal facilities is the Mercury Removal Unit (MRU),
which is a pressure vessel filled with adsorbent material. As the gas or liquids pass through the
adsorbent material, the mercury attaches to the adsorbent. There will be eight MRUs in total: two as
part of the GCP and six within the existing Longford facilities,installed by the KMR Project.
Waste Management
The mercury that is captured will be removed periodically from the MRU vessel by specialist
contractors, transported by EPA licenced contractors and treated and recycled, or disposed of, in
accordance with EPA guidelines. Some uses for recycled mercury include lights, batteries and
scientific apparatus.
Introducing mercury into the system will potentially affect existing waste such as fitters. These
wastes will be managed as Prescribed Industrial Waste and recycled or disposed of in accordance
with EPA guidelines and current site practices for waste management.
Rgure 1: Mercury RemovalUnit (MRIJ)

12 Chemistry Research Task Chemical Monitoring and Management

1.2- 2m
Range of allowable limits:
Levels of mercury in major Australian reticulated water supplies are usually less than
0.0001 mg/L but may range up to 0.001 mg/L.