Environmental contamination by toxic metals—such as Pb²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Hg²⁺—and organometallic species like monomethylmercury (MeHg) presents one of the most persistent global challenges due to their bioaccumulation, long-term toxicity, and resistance to degradation. This thesis addresses this critical issue through a multidisciplinary approach combining nanotechnology, environmental chemistry, biosensor engineering, and …
The thesis investigates associations between the biomarkers of lead (Pb) exposure (and mercury (Hg), where applicable) and genetic variability in in vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and their newborns from Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia, as well as Slovenian men of reproductive age. The research utilizes data from the Public Health …
Mercury, a toxic element, known for its physical and chemical properties, spreads throughout the environment and is found in various ecosystems, including water, air, soil, and biological systems. The natural mercury cycle begins beneath the earth's crust, where it rises to the surface and is released into the air through …
Cement production is one of the main contributors to mercury emissions in to the atmosphere. Many national and international legal i nstruments aim to control and reduce Hg emissions. Hg enters the cement production process as an impurity in fuels and raw materials, with the latter being the main source …
Atmospheric mercury (Hg) plays an important role in the biogeochemical Hg cycle. Hg species in the atmosphere are present in very low concentrations. While gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) is relatively inert, gaseous oxidized (GOM) and particulate-bound (PBM) mercury are highly reactive. These characteristics of atmospheric Hg species make the speciation …
Gold miners (Artisanal and Small-Scale [ASGM]) operating in southwestern Ghana use exclusive mercury-gold amalgamation, cyanidation of gold-rich mercury-contaminated tailings, or a combination of both techniques during gold extraction; exposing water bodies within the catchment to mercury (Hg) and cyanide (CN) from mining discharged effluents. Additionally, sporadic CN spillage/leakage from Large …
Mercury (Hg) is one of the most toxic metals. Its toxicity depends on the route of exposure, on its chemical form and the dose to which a person is exposed. The most susceptible population are pregnant women and children. Epidemiological studies suggest neuropsychological dysfunctions in children who were prenatally exposed …
Mercury is a very toxic element. Due to its volubility it is present everywhere in the environment at ambient temperature. High temperature processes increased levels of mercury on the global scale. Global and European action plans were established to reduce mercury emissions and remove mercury from the environment. Cement plants …
Mercury (Hg) pollution has been investigated in the area of the Idrija mercury mine, Slovenia, where the second largest mercury mine in the world operated for more then 500 years. Although the production of mercury at the Idrija mercury mine stopped in 1994, centuries of mining and ore processing operations …