Since the reaction of reducing agents with [HgClx]
(2x) complexes
proceeds significantly slower than with [Hg(SO3)2]
2 and
Hg(OH)2, it can be concluded that kinetics of Hg(II) reduction
depend on the share of the individual predominant Hg(II) complexes.
The rate of reaction of Hg(II) reduction by HSO3
is reported
to be by orders of magnitude smaller than the rate of reaction with
SO3
2 [29]. Thus in addition to pH-value, SO3
2 concentration is
likely to be crucial for reaction kinetics. Reaction product of the
chemical reduction of Hg(II) is Hg0
, which is emitted to the gas
phase due to its low water solubility [30]