Among all the elements on Earth, few are as fascinating and paradoxical as Mercury (Hg) — a silver-colored metal that flows like liquid light, gleaming and graceful, yet dangerously toxic.
From ancient alchemists who saw it as the “essence of life” to today’s scientists using advanced spectroscopy to measure it, mercury has always been both a mystery and a challenge.
Today, the story continues — from ancient myths to the modern technology of Lumex Instruments, where precision meets environmental responsibility.
The Origins of Mercury – From Mysticism to Matter
The story of mercury begins deep in human history. Archaeological evidence from ancient Egypt, China, and Persia shows that people have known and used mercury for thousands of years.
In Egyptian tombs, sealed jars filled with liquid mercury have been found, believed to have mystical or preservative powers.
In ancient China, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, obsessed with immortality, consumed elixirs containing mercury sulfide, believing it would grant eternal life — ironically, it led to his early death by mercury poisoning.
Meanwhile, in ancient Persia, mercury — known as “Simab” in Persian — was considered one of the essential “metals of alchemy.” Pioneers such as Jabir ibn Hayyan and Zakariya al-Razi described it as the “spirit of metals,” essential for transforming base materials into gold.
The Romans mined mercury extensively from Almadén, Spain, one of the world’s oldest mercury mines, active for over 2,000 years. The name “Mercury” itself originates from Mercurius, the swift Roman messenger god — an apt metaphor for a metal that flows freely, elusive and fast.
From Alchemy to Science – The Birth of Modern Understanding
For centuries, the study of mercury was shrouded in myth and magic. It wasn’t until the 17th and 18th centuries, with the rise of modern chemistry, that mercury’s true nature was scientifically defined.
Antoine Lavoisier, the father of modern chemistry, identified mercury as a distinct chemical element with atomic number 80. Its ability to form amalgams (metallic alloys) with gold, silver, and tin made it essential in mining and metallurgy.
However, mercury’s dangers were soon discovered.
In 19th-century Europe, hat-makers using mercury nitrate to soften felt developed tremors and mental disorders — a condition later known as the “Mad Hatter Syndrome.”
The 20th century brought a tragic reminder of mercury’s toxicity: the Minamata disaster in Japan. Wastewater containing methylmercury was discharged into Minamata Bay, poisoning fish and local residents. Thousands suffered neurological damage, and many died.
That tragedy reshaped global environmental policies and gave birth to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (2013) — a global agreement to control mercury emissions and protect human health
Mercury in Nature – Chemistry, Forms, and the Global Cycle
Mercury is unique among metals: it is liquid at room temperature (melting point: −38.8°C) and has a high vapor pressure, meaning it easily evaporates into the atmosphere.
It occurs naturally in the mineral cinnabar (HgS) — a bright red ore historically used as pigment (vermilion) and as the main source of mercury extraction.
Physical and Chemical Characteristics
Atomic number: 80
State at room temperature: Liquid metal
Density: 13.5 g/cm³
Vapor pressure: High even at ambient temperature
Reactivity: Forms compounds with sulfur, chlorine, and organic groups
The Mercury Cycle
Mercury circulates globally through air, water, and soil.
Natural processes such as volcanic activity and rock weathering release mercury, but human activities — coal combustion, mining, waste incineration — have multiplied emissions dramatically.
In aquatic environments, microorganisms transform inorganic mercury into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that bioaccumulates in fish and magnifies through the food chain.
This makes mercury not only an industrial hazard but also a global ecological threat.
The Science of Mercury Analysis – From Classic to Cutting-Edge
Measuring mercury is scientifically challenging.
Because it easily vaporizes and exists at extremely low concentrations in the environment, its detection requires sensitive and selective methods.
Early Methods
In the 19th century, chemists used colorimetric or precipitation reactions — adding reagents that caused visible color changes (e.g., red HgS precipitate). These methods were simple but not quantitative.
Modern Spectrometric Techniques
By the mid-20th century, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) revolutionized elemental analysis. Mercury could be detected by its unique absorption line at 253.7 nm.
Then came a key improvement — Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CVAAS) — which exploited mercury’s high volatility. Instead of heating the sample, mercury vapor was generated chemically and measured directly in the gas phase.
Other Modern Techniques
AFS (Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry): Offers ultra-low detection limits for trace mercury.
ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry): Highly sensitive and multi-element, but costly and laboratory-bound.
Thermal Decomposition – Amalgamation – AAS (EPA Method 7473): Enables direct measurement of solid samples without acid digestion.
The Lumex Breakthrough
Lumex Instruments took these foundations and created systems that combine CVAAS and Zeeman Atomic Absorption in a portable, real-time platform.
Their technology eliminates complex chemical preparation, offering direct measurement of mercury vapor in air, gas, liquids, and solids — with unmatched speed and precision.
Lumex Instruments – Three Decades of Innovation in Mercury Monitoring
For over 30 years, Lumex Instruments has been a global leader in analytical instrumentation, trusted in more than 90 countries.
Their mercury analyzers are used in industries ranging from oil & gas and petrochemicals to environmental monitoring, research laboratories, and universities.
How the Lumex Technology Works
At the heart of Lumex analyzers is the Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CVAAS) technique with Zeeman background correction.
In this method, mercury vapor from the sample passes through an absorption cell. The analyzer emits light at 253.7 nm, and the attenuation of this light is directly proportional to mercury concentration.
Unlike traditional methods, Lumex instruments do not require chemical reagents. Their direct measurement design ensures fast, accurate, and safe operation.
This makes them ideal for both field monitoring and laboratory-grade analysis.
Lumex RA-915M – Real-Time Mercury Monitoring in the Field
The Lumex RA-915M is a portable, high-precision mercury analyzer designed for direct measurement of mercury in air, gas, or industrial environments.
Key Features
Real-time measurement (response within seconds)
No chemical reagents or sample preparation required
Wide measurement range (from ng/m³ to mg/m³)
Resistant to harsh field conditions
USB and data logging capability for continuous monitoring
Ideal for oil & gas, petrochemical, environmental, and HSE applications
RA-915M provides instant data — crucial for detecting leaks, monitoring emissions, or ensuring workplace safety.
Its portability and accuracy make it the instrument of choice for on-site mercury assessment worldwide.
Lumex RA-915Lab – Laboratory Precision for Advanced Mercury Analysis
The RA-915Lab is the laboratory version of Lumex’s CVAAS technology, built for detailed and high-accuracy measurements of liquid and solid samples.
Advantages
Detection limits as low as 0.5 ng/mL
Compliance with EPA 7473 and ISO 17852
Compatible with water, soil, oil, fuel, and waste samples
Advanced data analysis software with automatic calibration
Long-term stability and repeatability
Ergonomic design and easy operation
The RA-915Lab is the perfect solution for research laboratories, universities, and environmental agencies requiring reliable and traceable mercury data.
The Role of Artin Azma Mehr – Lumex’s Trusted Representative in Iran
Artin Azma Mehr Co. proudly serves as the official representative of Lumex Instruments in Iran, bringing state-of-the-art mercury analysis technology to the country’s industrial and research sectors.
With years of experience and a team of specialized engineers, Artin Azma Mehr provides:
Expert consultation for selecting the right Lumex model
Installation and operator training
After-sales service, maintenance, and calibration
Supply of original accessories and spare parts
Through partnerships with oil & gas industries, environmental organizations, and academic institutions, Artin Azma Mehr has become a recognized name in analytical excellence and environmental safety.
The Future of Mercury Monitoring – Technology and Responsibility
Mercury monitoring is more than a technical task — it’s a global responsibility.
As industries expand, so does the need for accurate, fast, and sustainable monitoring.
Organizations such as the WHO, EPA, and UNEP emphasize that technological solutions like Lumex analyzers are essential for a mercury-free future.
With instruments like RA-915M and RA-915Lab, countries and industries can meet international standards while protecting human health and the environment.
In Iran, this vision is being realized through the commitment and expertise of Artin Azma Mehr.
Conclusion
Mercury has journeyed with humanity from ancient temples and alchemical labs to modern analytical laboratories.
From the mystical Simab of Persian alchemy to Lumex’s precision instruments, it has been both a challenge and a catalyst for scientific progress.
Today, thanks to advanced technologies like CVAAS and Zeeman AAS, monitoring mercury is no longer a complex laboratory task — it is a real-time, field-ready solution available to every responsible industry.
And in Iran, Artin Azma Mehr continues to empower industries and researchers with Lumex’s world-class solutions — combining accuracy, innovation, and sustainability.
Contact and Consultation
If you work in oil & gas, petrochemicals, environmental monitoring, or research, and need a reliable, fast, and precise mercury analysis solution, we are here to help.
📞 Contact Artin Azma Mehr
📧 info@artinazma.net
🔗 Official Lumex Representative in Iran
References and Standards
WHO – Mercury and Health: Guidelines and Fact Sheets (2023)
EPA Method 7473 – Mercury in Solids and Solutions by Thermal Decomposition, Amalgamation, and AAS
ISO 17852 – Water Quality – Determination of Mercury by AAS
ASTM D6350 – Standard Test Method for Determination of Mercury in Natural Gas
UNEP Minamata Convention on Mercury (2013)
