Aquatic ecosystems contaminated by heavy metals are a worldwide concern. These metals are toxic and persistent. This research aimed to measure MERCURY in the hair of fishermen, working at Chahnimeh Reservoirs, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, south-east of Iran. Samples were collected from April 2012 to October 2012 from 40 local fishermen. Those fishermen with amalgam-filled teeth (a source of MERCURY) were excluded. The average amount of MERCURY in the samples was 1. 56 μ g/g (ranging from 0. 1 to 3. 65 μ g/g). In 29 fishermen (72%) hair MERCURY levels exceeded the reference dose of the USEPA. The results in this study showed that height and age were not significantly related to MERCURY levels, but body weight and BMI were. Fish consumption (p=0. 001), smoking (p=0. 018), weight (r=0. 35, p=0. 02) and BMI (r = 0. 35, p=0. 02) were significantly related to hair MERCURY levels. Fruit (p=0. 017) and dairy consumption (p<0. 001) were inversely related to the concentration of MERCURY in hair.

Combined treatment with electroremediation and sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) was tested in laboratory and pilot scale. The contaminated soil came from a chlor-alkali factory and contained about 100 mg/kg Hg. Iodide/iodine complexing agent was used to mobilize MERCURY. MERCURY iodide complexes were moved to the anode solution using an electric field. The anode solution was then mixed with hydrogen sulphide (H2S) containing water, causing precipitation of MERCURY sulphide. The H2S was produced at site by a SRB reactor. Precipitation problems arising from the nature of the anode solution were expected, since this solution is highly acidic, very oxidised and may contain iodide/iodine that strongly complexes MERCURY and can hinder MERCURY sulphide precipitation. MERCURY concentrations in the anode solution were up to 65.7 mg/L (field) and 15.4 mg/L (lab. scale). Reduction of MERCURY in the water was >93% at all times. Iodide did not hinder the process: Nonetheless, in the lab system, iodide concentration was high in the anode solution but MERCURY reduction was > 99.9%. The redox potential was sufficiently low for HgS precipitation during the experiments, except for a short period, when the MERCURY removal decreased to 94%. Sulphate reducing bacteria are shown as a viable tool for the treatment of MERCURY contaminated, acidic, oxidative, iodide containing water, such as that produced by electrokinetic remediation. A second SRB step or other water treatment is required to reduce the MERCURY concentration to environmentally acceptable levels. Redox potential is the most sensitive factor in the system.

Background. The TOXICITY of MERCURY which is used as MERCURY chloride in different parts of living world has been reported in literature. In our knowledge, however, these reports are on the effects of MERCURY on serum blood parameters.As lipids have important role in cell metabolism, we decided to study the effects of MERCURY on blood parameters which are related to lipid metabolism as well as its effect on hepatocyte triglycerides.Methods. Each group of 5 rats were treated with daily IP injections of either 10 mg/kg (Body Weight) for 5 and 10 days or 5 mg/kg B.W. for 30 and 60 days, before determination of serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and lipoprotein fractions.Results. The results obtained are as follows. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg B.W of MERCURY for 5 and 10 days elevated serum triglycerides by (10.9, 19.3) LDLc (16.5, 22.5) VLDLc (10.9, ,19.3) and hepatocytes containing triglycerides (105.1, 136.3) percent respectively. HDLc was decreased by (13.4, 17.3) percent. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg body weight of MERCURY for 30 and 60 days elevated serum triglycerides by (34.7, 47.4). LDLc (28.9, 33.3), VLDLc (34.7, 47.4) and hepatocytes containing triglycerides (177.3, 213.4) percent respectively. HDLc was lowered by (22.9, 27.7) percent.Discussion. The results showed that MERCURY could affect lipid metabloism in a dose and time dependent manner. This effect might be considered as a possilbe cause of hyperlipidemia in those who are intoxified with this element.

Introduction: Chlorine gas producting by MERCURY cell (chlor-alkali) is one of the most widely used methods. Leakage and vaporizing MERCURY from cells can cause occupational poisoning. MERCURY is the most toxic non-radioactive heavy metal; therefore measurement of air concentration of this metal is very important. The aim of this research was measuring ambient air MERCURY concentration in an etrochemical company of Iran. Materials and Methods: This research was a descriptive-cross sectional study. Air sampling performed using OSHA ID 140 method. Absorbent tubes contain Hydrar (number 226-17-1A) were used to absorb air MERCURY vapour. Based on this method, a profiler (cellulose ester filter, size 0.8 um) was used to measure MERCURY particles size and the filter was analysed using OSHA ID 145 method. Air sampling performed in workshop, control room, up and down floor of cells in the plant and the numbers of samples were 8, 8, 12 and 12, respectively. Sampling performed from several sections of each unit throughout working time. Concentration during work shift was stable. Then preparation was analysed in 253.7 nm wavelengths by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometer (UNICAM model 929). Results: Particulate air MERCURY concentration in workshop, control room, up and down floor of cells was 2.457±0.235, 9.945±0.930, 27.089±2.344, 18.745±1.016 mg/m3, respectively. Air vapour of MERCURY concentration was 46.685±3.653, 56.357±4.110, 81.267±2.818, 168.706±4.327 mg/m3 in workshop, control room, up and down floor of cells respectively. Because workers have been exposed to both type of MERCURY, the accumulative was carried out. Total MERCURY exposure in workshop, control room, up and down floor of cells were 49.143±3.882, 66.303±5.038, 108.357±5.034, 187.452±5.307 mg/m3, respectively. Conclusion: Threshold Limit Values TLV and Time Weighted Average (TLV-TWA) recommended air exposure value for MERCURY as 50 mg/m3 by NIOSH. This study showed that concentration of MERCURY in air was higher than recommended level in all units, apart from workshop area. Further researches need to be carried out to find health and clinical side effects of high MERCURY pollution exposed subjects.

Introduction: Despite the limited anthropogenic activity in Arctic regions, the levels of heavy metals are of concern and the Arctic is considered as an important global sink for MERCURY depletion. MERCURY is not readily available to the food Web in its natural form. However, inorganic MERCURY are converted to organic MERCURY compounds by microbial processes of anaerobic organisms. MeHg is more lipophilic, highly bioaccumulative and the most toxic form of MERCURY. The Stablishment of industrial in the coastal zone resulted in producing and realsiay of various types of contanius in to the marine Enviromental the neighbor hoad of khormusa to Bandar Mahshar petrochemical complex could be poteutialy harm ful for marine ecosystem interms of Hg pollution. Birds are often the most numerous representatives of vertebrates in polar and subpolar regions making them ideal bioindicators of pollution. Marine birds are exposed to a wide range of trophic levels, and those at the top of the food chain are susceptible to bioaccumulation of pollutants.

Background: MERCURY is a heavy metal and transition element in periodic table that has many uses in industries, agriculture and medicine. This element can enter the body through different routs including food materials, ventilation and skin. Objective: To investigate the short and long term effect of MERCURY on thyroid hormone in the sera from rats. Methods: Mercuric chloride in doses of 3 mg/kg (short term or 10-day injection) and 1 mg/kg (long term or 45- and 60-day injection) was injected intraperitoneally into three test groups of rats (n=5). Following each period of injections, the blood samples were collected for T3, T4, TSH and T3 uptake measurements. Blood cholesterol level was measured simultaneously for monitoring cholesterol changes. Findings: After the 10-day injection, values for T3, T4 and TSH in test group were decreased 29, 18 and 30 percent, respectively, compared to control group (P<0.04). T3 uptake was increased 23 percent (P<0.04). The 45-day injection caused a decrease in the levels of T3, T4, and TSH as 30, 16 and 40 percent, respectively. T3 uptake and blood cholesterol levels were increased 25 and 8 percent respectively. Following the 60-day injection, the levels of T3, T4, and TSH in test group were decreased 51, 28 and 44 percent, respectively. T3 uptake and blood cholesterol levels were increased 22 and 11 percent respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on data obtained from current study, it seems that MERCURY chloride can lead to hypothyroidism and causes an increase in blood cholesterol level. Direct toxic effect of MERCURY on liver leads to low protein synthesis and may contribute to increase the serum concentration of T3 uptake. Higher level of cholesterol may be attributable to resulting hypothyroidism, which in turn lowers T4 and T3 concentrations.  

In this study, the adsorption of MERCURY from aqueous solutions by agricultural waste (wheat Husk) was investigated. The effect of such parameters as solution pH, initial concentration, temperature, particle size, and adsorbent quantity was studied in batch experiments.The results show that the decrease in the initial concentration, increase in adsorbent quantity, decrease in paticle size, and increase in temperature cause an increase in adsorption. The increase in pH up to 4 increases adsorption. However, for pH>4, the adsorption remains constant. Meanwhile, Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to determine isotherm equilibrium curves. The results show a better conformity with Freundlich model.