| Human agricultural activities may release mercury to the soil through direct applications, such as:
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Once in the soil, mercury compounds may undergo the same chemical and biological transformations found in aquatic systems. Elemental mercury
(mercury zero) will form various
compounds with the chloride and hydroxide
ions of soils. The exact result will depend upon the
pH, salt content, and other
characteristics of the soil.
For soil, like water, both inorganic chemistry and the actions of living things will affect the formation and degradation of organic mercuric compounds. For example, elevated levels of chloride ions will reduce methylation of mercury in river sediments, streams and soils. In contrast, increased levels of organic carbon and sulfate ions will increase methylation in sediments.
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