What is Mercury?

Mercury is this shiny, silvery looking liquid that actually looks like it could be something out of this world.

But what is it really?




Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that exists in several forms such as elemental or
metallic mercury, inorganic or organic mercury compounds.

It is the only metal that is liquid at standard room temperature and pressure.

Mercury can bioaccumulate in the environment and pass through the food chain. It also has the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and affect the central nervous system.




Elemental or metallic mercury 
Shiny, silver-white metal that is liquid at room
temperature. It can evaporate to become an invisible, odorless toxic 
vapor.  

Inorganic mercury compounds 
White powder or crystalline which is in mercury salt form. 

Organic mercury compounds 
Methylmercury is the most common organic mercury found in the environment occurs 
when mercury combines with carbon.  Microscopic organisms are responsible for converting  
inorganic mercury into methylmercury