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Environment

From Whence The Mercury?

October 19, 2009 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 87, Issue 42

The article regarding mercury reduction at coal-fired power plants raises the question of why the prehistoric trees that formed coal concentrated mercury while present-day trees apparently do not (C&EN, July 20, page 32). It is interesting, too, that the question is neither asked nor an explanation posed. That the 491 coal-fired power plants in the U.S. emit a total of about 48 tons of mercury annually would seem to merit more discussion of its origin.

John E. Casey
San Diego

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