Factors Influencing the Volatilization of Mercury from Soil

Mercury volatilization from soils amended to 1 ppm mercury with mercuric nitrate decreased substantially within 1 week after application. During the first week, 20% of the applied mercury was lost from a silty clay‐loam soil and 45% was lost from a loamy sand soil. Volatilization of Hg from the loamy sand soil resulted in a concurrent decrease in ammonium nitrate‐extractable mercury. Other work with sterile soil indicates that the volatilization was mediated by microorganisms.