To eliminate mercury vapor from gas streams, three major methods are used: condensation, absorption, and adsorption. This work deals with adsorption, using elemental sulfur as an active phase supported on sepiolite and palygorskite fibrous clays. Sulfur loads of 5–30% were deposited by catalytic oxidation of hydrogen sulfide at temperatures of <200°C, the clays acting first as a catalyst of the reaction and then as a carrier of the obtained sulfur. The ability of the sulfurized clay adsorbents to retain mercury was studied at 45°C and 1 mm Hg pressure. The high values found, about 4 g Hg/g S supported on clays, compared with 1.69 g Hg/g S on activated carbon under the same conditions are related to a more appropriate pore size distribution, with more of the pore widths >6 nm for the sulfurized silicates. Also, the allotropic state of the deposited sulfur, where Sπ (octo-catena) is better than Sλ (octo-cycle), may also be a contributing factor.

This investigation was carried out to study the effect of different concentrations of citric acid and glycine, which are common in freshwaters, on the kinetics of the adsorption of Hg by kaolinite under various pH conditions. The data indicate that Hg adsorption by kaolinite at different concentrations of citric acid and glycine obeyed multiple first order kinetics. In the absence of the organic acids, the rate constants of the initial fast process were 46 to 75 times faster than those of the slow adsorption process in the pH range of 4.00 to 8.00. Citric acid had a significant retarding effect on both the fast and slow adsorption process at pHs of 6.0 and 8.0. It had a significant promoting effect on the fast and slow adsorption process at pH 4.00. Glycine had a pronounced enhancing effect on the rate of Hg adsorption by kaolinite during the fast process. The rise in pH of the system further increased the effect of glycine on Hg adsorption. The magnitude of the retarding/promoting effect upon the rate of Hg adsorption was evidently dependent upon the pH, structure and functionality of organic acids, and molar ratio of the organic acid/Hg. The data obtained suggest that low-molecular-weight organic acids merit close attention in studying the kinetics and mechanisms of the binding of Hg by sediment particulates and the subsequent food chain contamination.

Mollusc and crustacean consumption in the first 1000 d may improve maternal and child health by providing essential nutrients. However, in some contexts, molluscs and crustaceans have been associated with allergies and environmental contamination, potentially leading to adverse health and development outcomes. It is unclear whether the health benefits of consuming molluscs and crustaceans, collectively classified as shellfish in nutrition, are outweighed by the potential risks to pregnant women and children. We conducted a scoping review (PROSPERO: CRD42022320454) in PubMed, Scopus and EBSCO Global Health of articles published between January 2000 and March 2022 that assessed shellfish consumption during pregnancy, lactation or childhood (0–2 years) in relation to maternal health, child health or child development. A total of forty-six articles were included in this review. Overall, shellfish consumption was associated with higher biomarkers of environmental contaminants, with mercury being the most studied and having the strongest evidence base. The limited research on nutritional biomarker status shows an association between shellfish consumption and iodine status. Preterm birth was not associated with shellfish consumption, but newborn anthropometry showed mixed results, with several studies reporting lower birth weight with higher shellfish consumption. The few studies that examined child development and maternal health outcomes reported no significant associations. This review revealed trade-off health risks and benefits with inclusion of molluscs and crustaceans in the dietary patterns of mothers and young children. More research is needed to understand how these aquatic animal-source foods may be safely consumed and leveraged for improving human nutrition.

Water is essential for humans, animals, and plants; pollutants, usually derived from anthropogenic activities, can have a serious effect on its quality. Heavy metals are significant pollutants and are often highly toxic to living organisms, even at very low concentrations. Among the numerous removal techniques proposed, adsorption onto suitable adsorbent materials is considered to be one of the most promising. The objective of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) functionalized with organic amino or thiol groups as adsorbent materials to decontaminate polluted waters, using the removal of Hg2+ ions, one of the most dangerous heavy metals, as the test case. The effects of pH, ionic strength (I), and temperature of the metal ion solution on the adsorption ability and affinity of both materials were evaluated. To this end, adsorption experiments were carried out with no ionic medium and in NaNO3 and NaCl at I = 0.1 mol L−1, in the pH range 3–5 and in the temperature range 283.15–313.15 K. Kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of adsorption were considered by measuring the metal ion concentrations in aqueous solution. Various equations were used to fit experimental data, and the results obtained were explained on the basis of both the adsorbent’s characterization and the Hg2+ speciation under the given experimental conditions. Thiol and amino groups enhanced the adsorption capability of halloysite for Hg2+ ions in the pH range 3–5. The pH, the ionic medium, and the ionic strength of aqueous solution all play an important role in the adsorption process. A physical adsorption mechanism enhanced by ion exchange is proposed for both functionalized materials.

Mercury ion removal from waste-waters has been the subject of extensive research. The aim of the present investigation was to report the incorporation of the n-alkylamine molecules onto a bentonite surface and the capacities of these new chelating moieties on this modified bentonite surface for mercury removal from water. Bentonite collected from the Amazon region, Brazil, was used in an intercalation process with polar n-alkylamine molecules of general formula H3C(CH2)n-NH2 (n = 1 to 4) in 1,2-dichloroethane. The natural and modified bentonite samples were characterized by elemental analysis, Xray diffraction, helium picnometry, mercury porosimetry, and 29Si, 27Al, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Because of the increasing size of the molecules attached to the pendant chains, the metal-adsorption capability of the final chelating materials was measured in each case. The adsorption of Hg(II) on natural and modified bentonites was determined under different conditions. The effects of concentration of Hg(II), contact time, and pH were investigated; batch and dynamic adsorption experiments of Hg(II) were conducted on bentonite samples under various conditions. The ability of these materials to remove Hg(II) from aqueous solution was assessed by means of a series of adsorption isotherms at room temperature and pH 4.0. In order to evaluate the bentonite samples as adsorbents in a dynamic system, a glass column was filled with clay samples (1.0 g each) and fed with 1.8 × 10−4 mol dm−3 Hg(II) at pH 4.0. The energetic effects caused by adsorption of metal cations were determined by means of calorimetric titrations. Thermodynamics indicated the existence of favorable conditions for such Hg(II)-nitrogen interactions.

Vrančiceite is a new mineral species discovered in a sample collected from the old mine dumps of the abandoned Vrančice deposit near Příbram, central Bohemia, Czech Republic. Vrančiceite occurs as rare anhedral grains, up to 100 μm in size, in a calcite gangue, associated with cinnabar, djurleite, galena and hedyphane. Vrančiceite is black, with metallic lustre. Mohs hardness is ca. 2–3, calculated density is 6.652 g.cm–3. In reflected light, vrančiceite is light grey with a yellowish shade; bireflectance, pleochroism and anisotropy are all weak. Internal reflections were not observed. Reflectance values for the four Commission on Ore Mineralogy wavelengths of vrančiceite in air [Rmax, Rmin (%) (λ in nm)] are: 33.6, 31.2 (470); 33.9, 30.6 (546); 31.1, 30.0 (589); and 32.1, 29.1 (650). The empirical formula, based on electron-microprobe analyses, is Cu10.11(4)Ag0.01(1)Hg2.87(4)Sb0.01(1)Bi0.01(1)S7.99(8). The ideal formula is Cu10Hg3S8 (Z = 2), which requires (in wt.%) Cu 42.54, Hg 40.29 and S 17.17, total 100.00. Vrančiceite is triclinic, P$\bar{1}$, with unit-cell parameters a = 7.9681(2), b = 9.7452(3), c = 10.0710(3) Å, α = 77.759(1), β = 76.990(1), γ = 79.422(1)°, V = 737.01(4) Å3 and Z = 2. The strongest reflections of the calculated powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I) hkl] are: 3.354 (76) $\bar{2}$01, 3.111 (68) 222, 2.833 (100) 213, 2.733 (93) 231, 2.705 (76) 2$\bar{2}$1 and 2.647 (71) $\bar{2}\bar{1}$2. According to the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (R1 = 0.0262), the crystal structure of vrančiceite can be described as comprising Cu–S layers, connected through CuS3 polyhedra, giving rise to a three-dimensional framework with channels running along the a axis and hosting linearly coordinated Hg atoms. Structural relations with gortdrumite are discussed. Vrančiceite is named after its type locality, the Vrančice deposit near Příbram. The mineral and its name have been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA2022–114).

In his second appearance to Aeneas in Aeneid 4 Mercury drives the hero to flee Carthage with a false allegation that Dido is planning an attack, capping his warning with an infamous sententia about the mutability of female emotion. Building on a previous suggestion that Mercury's first speech to Aeneas is modelled on Athena's admonishment of Telemachus at the opening of Odyssey 15, this article proposes that Mercury's second speech as well is modelled on Athena's warning, in which the goddess uses misdirection about Penelope's intentions and a misogynistic gnōmē about the changeability of women's affections to spur Telemachus’ departure from Sparta. After setting out how Virgil divides his imitation of Athena's speech verbally and thematically between Mercury's two speeches, the discussion turns to why both Athena and Mercury adopt these deceptive tactics. The speeches are shown to be culminations of the poets’ similar approaches to creating doubt and foreboding around the queens’ famed capacities for using δόλος. Common features in the ensuing hasty departures of Telemachus and Aeneas further confirm Virgil's use of Odyssey 15 in devising Aeneas’ escape from Carthage.

The mid-Tournaisian black radiolarian cherts of the Lydiennes Formation are exposed in deep-shelf successions of the Puech de la Suque and Col des Tribes sections of the Mont Peyroux Nappe area in the Montagne Noire, southern France. This interval represents the mid-Tournaisian anoxic event that is also termed the Lower Alum Shale Event. This event is associated with a global marine transgression that was characterized by increased productivity and drastic facies changes from pelagic carbonate sedimentation to the widespread deposition of black organic-rich siliceous shales and radiolarites in many parts of the world. In the present study, high-resolution inorganic geochemistry and framboidal pyrite analyses were employed to decipher changes in depositional conditions during the mid-Tournaisian anoxic event in the Montagne Noire. The results show that the total organic carbon contents of sediments associated with the Lower Alum Shale Event vary from 0.09 to 1.9 wt %. These low to moderate total organic carbon contents, high U/Th, low Corg/P and intermediate V/Cr ratios, enrichment in redox-sensitive trace elements, such as U, Mo and V, as well as varying sizes of pyrite framboids, indicate periodic dysoxic to anoxic bottom-water conditions during deposition of the studied sediments. Anomalous Hg spikes (>500 ppb) are also reported in the mid-Tournaisian deep-water marine succession of the Montagne Noire in the present study, which confirm a possible influence of increased regional volcanic activity during this environmental turnover.

This article looks at the translation and circulation of yogis’ learning in Persian medical and alchemical texts produced in South Asia. I suggest that looking at the non-religious environment allows for a more accurate understanding of the overall circulation of yogic knowledge and techniques in the Muslim society of South Asia. Furthermore, I suggest that the assimilation of yogis’ learning in Persian sources concerned not only Yoga but also other types of knowledge associated with yogis. Muslim physicians’ interest in yogis’ knowledge focused on one specific aspect: rasaśāstra “alchemy” and the mastery over the production of mercurial and metallic drugs. The technical and pragmatic focus of Persian medico-alchemical writings contributed to give views of yogis beyond the exotic and foreignizing category of the wonders of India. Medical writings helped to develop views of yogis as a socio-economic group involved in the transmission of a specific body of knowledge. This was an important shift away from the perspective of the ‘ajā’ib al-hind “wonders of India” as well as from the ways in which yogis were perceived in Sufi texts. New perspectives on yogis emerged when Persian-speaking scholars and readers in India needed more pragmatic representations of local groups, such as the physicians who were in the process of appropriating alchemical notions that were closely associated with the yogis.

As, Pb and Hg are common environmental contaminants in low- and middle-income countries. We investigated the association between child toxicant exposure and growth and development and determined if this association was mitigated by Se concentration. Toxicant concentrations in fingernail samples, anthropometry and Bayley’s Scales of Infant Development, 3rd edition domains were assessed in 36-month-old children whose mothers had been part of a randomised controlled trial in rural Vietnam. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to estimate the effect of toxicant exposure on clinical outcomes with adjustments for potential confounders and interaction with fingernail Se concentration. We analysed 658 children who had data for at least one physical or developmental outcome, and at least one toxicant measurement, and each of the covariates. Fingernail As concentration was negatively associated with language (estimate per 10 % increase in As: −0·19, 95 % CI: (–0·32, −0·05)). Pb was negatively associated with cognition (estimate per 10 % increase in Pb: −0·08 (–0·15, −0·02)), language (estimate per 10 % increase in Pb: −0·18 (–0·28, −0·10)) and motor skills (estimate per 10 % increase in Pb: −0·12 (–0·24, 0·00)). Hg was negatively associated with cognition (estimate per 10 % increase in Hg: −0·48, (–0·72, −0·23)) and language (estimate per 10 % increase in Hg −0·51, (–0·88, −0·13)) when Se concentration was set at zero in the model. As Se concentration increased, the negative associations between Hg and both cognition and language scores were attenuated. There was no association between toxicant concentration and growth. As, Pb and Hg concentrations in fingernails of 3-year-old children were associated with lower child development scores. The negative association between Hg and neurological development was reduced in magnitude with increasing Se concentration. Se status should be considered when assessing heavy metal toxicants in children and their impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Tennantite-(Hg), Cu6(Cu4Hg2)As4S13, was approved as a new mineral species (IMA2020-063) from the Lengenbach quarry, Imfeld, Binn Valley, Canton Valais, Switzerland. It was identified as an aggregate of black metallic tetrahedral crystals, less than 0.1 mm in size, intimately associated with sinnerite, and grown on realgar. In reflected light, tennantite-(Hg) is isotropic, grey in colour, with creamy tints. Minimum and maximum reflectance data for COM wavelengths in air are [λ (nm): R (%)]: 470: 29.1; 546: 29.1; 589: 28.5; 650: 27.7. Electron microprobe analysis gave (in wt.% – average of 7 spot analyses): Cu 32.57(42), Ag 6.38(19), Tl 0.29(14), Zn 0.04(5), Hg 17.94(2.27), Pb 0.70(51), As 17.83(61), Sb 0.34(8), S 24.10(41), total 100.19(1.04). The empirical formula of the sample studied, recalculated on the basis of ΣMe = 16 atoms per formula unit, is (Cu4.69Ag1.04Tl0.03)Σ5.76(Cu4.35Hg1.58Pb0.06Zn0.01)Σ6.00(As4.20Sb0.05)Σ4.25S13.26. Tennantite-(Hg) is cubic, I$\overline 4$3m, with a = 10.455(7) Å, V = 1143(2) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure of tennantite-(Hg) has been refined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to a final R1 = 0.0897 on the basis of 214 unique reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo) and 22 refined parameters. Tennantite-(Hg) is isotypic with other members of the tetrahedrite group. Mercury is hosted at the tetrahedrally coordinated M(1) site, in accord with the relatively long M(1)–S(1) distance (2.389 Å), similar to that observed in tetrahedrite-(Hg). Minor Ag is located at the triangularly-coordinated and split M(2) site. Other occurrences of tennantite-(Hg) are briefly reviewed and the Lengenbach finding is described within the framework of previous knowledge about the Hg mineralogy at this locality.

Mercury (Hg) exists in the environment as inorganic (metallic Hg vapor, mercurous and mercuric salts) or organic (bonded to a structure containing carbon atoms) forms. Neurotoxic effect of Hg is known for years. While the organic form (methylmercury (meHg)) led to the Minamata incidence in Japan and “wonder-wheat” disaster in Iraq, the “mad hatters” and “Danbury shakes” were related to the inorganic elemental form (Hg vapor). Human exposure to toxic Hg continues in the modern world to a large extent by artisanal gold mining, biomass combustion, chloralkali production, and indigenous medicine use to name a few. Heavy industrial use of Hg contaminates air and landfills, affecting the aquatic ecosystem and marine food chain. A detailed social and occupational history with a high index of clinical suspicion is required to not miss this toxic etiology for movement disorders like ataxia, tremor, or myoclonus. In this review, we have discussed the past and present global health impact of Hg from a movement disorder perspective. The connection of Hg with neurodegeneration and autoimmunity has been highlighted. We have also discussed the role of chelating agents and the preventive strategies to combat the neurotoxic effects of Hg in the modern world.

Tetrahedrite-(Hg), Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S13, has been approved as a new mineral species using samples from Buca della Vena mine (hereafter BdV), Italy, Jedová hora (Jh), Czech Republic and Rožňava (R), Slovakia. It occurs as anhedral grains or as tetrahedral crystals, black in colour, with metallic lustre. At BdV it is associated with cinnabar and chalcostibite in dolomite veins. At Jh, tetrahedrite-(Hg) is associated with baryte and chalcopyrite in quartz–siderite–dolomite veins; at R it is associated with quartz in siderite–quartz veins. Tetrahedrite-(Hg) is isotropic, greyish-white in colour, with creamy tints. Minimum and maximum reflectance data for Commission on Ore Mineralogy wavelengths in air (BdV sample), R in %) are 32.5 at 420 nm; 32.9 at 546 nm; 33.2 at 589 nm; and 30.9 at 650 nm. Chemical formulae of the samples studied, recalculated on the basis of 4 (As + Sb + Bi) atoms per formula unit, are: (Cu9.44Ag0.07)Σ9.51(Hg1.64Zn0.36Fe0.06)Σ2.06Sb4(S12.69Se0.01)Σ12.70 (BdV), Cu9.69(Hg1.75Fe0.25Zn0.06)Σ2.06(Sb3.94As0.06)S12.87 (Jh) and (Cu9.76Ag0.04) Σ9.80(Hg1.83Fe0.15Zn0.10)Σ2.08(Sb3.17As0.58Bi0.25)S13.01 (R). Tetrahedrite-(Hg) is cubic, I$\overline 4 $3m, with a = 10.5057(8) Å, V = 1159.5(3) Å3 and Z = 2 (BdV). Unit-cell parameters for the other two samples are a = 10.4939(1) Å and V = 1155.61(5) Å3 (Jh) and a = 10.4725(1) Å and V = 1148.55(6) Å3 (R). The crystal structure of tetrahedrite-(Hg) has been refined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to a final R1 = 0.019 on the basis of 335 reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo) and 20 refined parameters. Tetrahedrite-(Hg) is isotypic with other members of the tetrahedrite group. Mercury is hosted at the tetrahedrally coordinated M(1) site, along with minor Zn and Fe. The occurrence of Hg at this position agrees both with the relatively large M(1)–S(1) bond distance (2.393 Å) and the refined site scattering. Previous occurrences of Hg-rich tetrahedrite and tetrahedrite-(Hg) are reviewed, and its relations with other Hg sulfosalts are discussed.

Prenatal exposure to mercury in utero causes abnormal foetal growth and adverse outcomes. DNA methylation is currently considered a possible mechanism through which this occurs. However, few studies have investigated the association between prenatal exposure to mercury and DNA methylation in detail. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between prenatal exposure to total mercury (Hg) and DNA methylation and its associations with sex-specific characteristics in male and female offspring. In a birth cohort study known as the Chiba study of Mother and Child Health, the DNA methylation status in cord tissue and Hg concentrations in cord serum were examined. A total of 67 participants (27 males and 40 females) were analysed based on Spearmanʼs correlations, adjusted by a false discovery rate of the sex of each offspring. Only one methylated locus was positively correlated with Hg concentrations in cord serum in male offspring, but not in female offspring, and was annotated to the haloacid dehalogenase-like hydrolase domain-containing protein 1 (HDHD1) gene on chromosome X. This locus was located in the intron of the HDHD1 gene body and is a binding site for the zinc finger protein CCCTC-binding factor. One of the other loci, located in HDHD1, was highly methylated in the group with higher mercury concentrations, and this locus was in the gene body of HDHD1. Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to Hg might affect the epigenetic status of male foetuses.