The mercury that is present in natural gas is predominantly elemental mercury. Mercury can
also exist as mercury compounds. Mercury can be part of an organic molecule, an inorganic molecule,
or be part of both, commonly referred to as organo-ionic mercury. The presence of mercury
compounds in natural gas has not been clearly established. In-plant analysis for trace levels of
compounds such as dimethyl mercury (CH3HgCH3), diethyl mercury (C2H5HgC2H5), mercuric
chloride (HgCl2), or methyl mercuric chloride (CH3HgCl) etc. does not currently exist. Very
sophisticated laboratory techniques are needed to differentiate one type of mercury-containing
molecule from another