There're so many publication about mercury bioremediation by using mercury reducing bacteria that reduce Hg2+ to Hg0. But Hg0 is actually pretty dangerous as well as Hg2+. So why is converting Hg2+ to Hg0 considered as a bioremediation?
Though Hg(0) is pretty toxic, it is not even close to the toxicity of Hg(II) or Hg(I) both of which can form organomercurial compounds like methylmercury or dimethylmercury. This compounds, and similar, enter in the trophic chain and can bioacummulate, being responsible of the mercury content on fish. On the other hand, you could even drink or inject Hg(0) without severe complications, the only important entrance in the body is through inhalation.
And yes, Hg(0) is volatile and some bacteria can reduce the Hg(II) to Hg(0) as a mechanism of detoxification, promoting volatilization and removal from their immediate environment.
Hg(0) can be purged out of the soil by stream of compressed air or can be removed by using vacuum pump. The gases with Hg(0) can be passed through the sorption bed for trapping the marcury or in the case of low concentration the exhausted gases can be directed straight to the air.
What is the fate of that mercury which is released into the air? Is it not going to pause another pollution problem? Capturing it through adsorption sounds safer as a better method of disposing contaminated material will be there
Like any element we cannot destroy mercury either (may be except with a nuclear reaction). All pollution control/remediation methodologies do is to minimize the exposure as much as possible through either reducing the volume, immobility, bio-availability or conversion to lesser toxic form. In all cases, the end disposal somewhat remains a problem..
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