How Quicksilver Reacts With Gold

Quicksilver, also known as mercury, is a toxic metal element. Liquid at room temperature, quicksilver is used in thermometers as well as in mirror surfaces. It can also be used medicinally for skin infections.

Quicksilver and Gold

Quicksilver and gold have a powerful reaction to one another. When introduced to gold, quicksilver bonds to even the smallest grains of gold. The quicksilver must be in a "full" state to do this, meaning the quicksilver is not broken up into small isolated drops.

Quicksilver in Gold Mining

Dating back to the Roman Empire, quicksilver has been used as an extractor in gold mining. It is illegal to use quicksilver in gold mining due to the high toxicity and health dangers to the workers, as well as the environmental impacts of quicksilver to oceans and riverbeds.

Problem of Toxicity

Quicksilver is known to be very toxic. Those exposed to quicksilver, such as gold miners, showed damage to their nervous systems. When deposited into oceans, quicksilver makes its way into fish and can poison those who consume the seafood as well as drastically drop the fish population. It is also known to contribute to global air pollution.

References

• Dictionary.com: Mercury
• Gold Prospecting: Mercury in Gold Concentrates
• MSNBC: Mercury in Gold Mining Poses Toxic Threat
• Learner.org: Reactions in Chemistry