Mercury cycle

The mercury cycle is a <a href="/facts/Biogeochemical_cycle/3vG5KBu4">biogeochemical cycle</a> influenced by natural and <a href="/facts/Human_impact_on_the_environment/vIAWqfPB">anthropogenic</a> processes that transform <a href="/facts/Mercury_(element)/WlxfoHva">mercury</a> through multiple chemical forms and environments.
Mercury is present in the <a href="/facts/Earth%2527s_crust/VSy2u31r">Earth's crust</a> and in various forms on the Earth's surface. It can be elemental, inorganic, or organic. Mercury exists in three <a href="/facts/Oxidation_state/W53W6s6V">oxidation states</a>: 0 (elemental mercury), I (mercurous mercury), and II (mercuric mercury).
Mercury emissions to the atmosphere can be primary sources, which release mercury from the <a href="/facts/Lithosphere/1mqaxASd">lithosphere</a>, or secondary sources, which exchange mercury between surface reservoirs. Annually, over 5000 metric tons of mercury is released to the atmosphere by primary emissions and secondary re-emissions.

Mercury cycle open-in-new

Mercury cycle