title: Mercury transformations in chemical agent simulant as characterized by X-ray absorption fine spectroscopy.
abstract: Chemical analyses of U.S. stockpiled mustard chemical warfare agent show some agent destined for destruction contains mercury [L. Ember, Chem. Eng. News 82 (2004) 8]. Because of its toxicity, mercury must be removed from agent prior to incineration or be scrubbed from incineration exhaust to prevent release into the atmosphere. Understanding mercury/agent interactions is critical if either atmospheric or aqueous treatment processes are used. We investigate and compare the state of mercury in water to that in thiodiglycol, a mustard simulant, as co-contaminants are introduced. The effects of sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide, common neutralization chemicals, on mercury in water and simulant with and without co-contaminants present are examined using X-ray absorption fine spectroscopy (XAFS).
authors.affiliation: Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439, USA. lskubal@anl.gov
authors.forename: Laura R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Skubal
authors.forename: Sandra G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Biedron
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Newville
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Stephen V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Milton
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pianetta
authors.forename: H Jack
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: O'Neill