Parsons, M.B. and Percival, J.B. (editors) Mercury: Sources, Measurements, Cycles, and Effects. Short course volume 34. Ottawa (Mineralogical Association of Canada). 2005, ISBN: 0-921194-34-4, 320 pp. Price US $40.00 (outside Canada), CDN $40.00 (within Canada).

I can strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the environmental chemistry of mercury. The editors have done an excellent job of bringing together a number of well-written, up-to-date, and informative chapters from various experts to produce a thorough treatise on this environmentally important and unique element. My knowledge, understanding, and interest in Hg were all greatly enhanced by this book. Because the book covers an assortment of topics written by quite different specialists, I include a list of chapters with brief remarks on each section. 1. A brief history of Hg and its environmental impact , by M.B. Parsons and J.B. Percival. An interesting and well-written background chapter which is accessible, wide-ranging, well-referenced, and intriguing. A good introduction to Hg for undergraduates. 2. Geogenic and mining sources of Hg to the environment , by J. Rytuba. Clear, fairly basic but informative look at Hg sources. 3. Anthropogenic sources and global inventory of mercury emissions , by J.M. Pacyna and E.G. Pacyna. Very policy-oriented but useful compendium of emissions data, including an examination of future scenarios. 4. Methods for sampling …