Mercury: Sources, Measurements, Cycles, and Effects.: Short Course Series Volume 34, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2005. M.B. PARSONS AND J.B. PERCIVAL, EDITORS. Pp 297. Mineralogical Association of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2E 1B1. ISBN 0-921294-34-4. 2005. Price US$40.

Abstract

This volume is the product of the Mineralogical Association of Canada’s short course on Mercury Sources, Measurements, Cycles, and Effects, which was held May 14–15, 2005. The goal of this short course, as stated by the volume editors, is to communicate recent advancements in the knowledge of geologic and anthropogenic sources of mercury, sampling, and analytical techniques, current understanding of cycling and transformation of mercury from both natural and anthropogenic sources, and effects of mercury on ecosystems and impacts on human health. In addition, one of the strengths of this volume is that most chapters not only highlight current knowledge, but also make an effort to elucidate gaps in such where more research effort needs to be focused. The papers in this volume serve as excellent reviews that provide numerous references for the reader interested in more detailed coverage of specific topics. The volume begins with a historical overview, compiled by the editors, of the 3,500 years of human experience with mercury. Included in this paper are historical accounts of mercury use in pigments, medicine, poison, amalgamation, industry, and, most notably, precursors to modern chemistry, as well as the development of instruments critical to the evolution of science and technology as we now know it. The historical overview is followed by two papers …