Groundwater Quality in Kentucky: Mercury

Authors

Bart Davidson, University of KentuckyFollow
R. Stephen Fisher, University of Kentucky

Abstract

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that occurs in trace amounts in water, soils, and rocks. Elemental mercury is a liquid that occurs in some ore deposits; it may also be concentrated around hot springs. Currently, about 50 percent of mercury use is for electrical products such as dry-cell batteries, fluorescent lights, switches, and other control equipment. Mercury is also used in the electrolytic preparation of chlorine gas and caustic soda, and in paint manufacture and pesticide production (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002). In the past, significant amounts of mercury were used in thermometers and pressure gauges.

Publication Date

2005

Series

Series XII

Report Number

Information Circular 8

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/kgs.ic08.12

Notes

© 2005 Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky

Repository Citation

Davidson, Bart and Fisher, R. Stephen, "Groundwater Quality in Kentucky: Mercury" (2005). Information Circular--KGS. 6.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/kgs_ic/6