The lithosphere is the outer solid shell of the Earth. As the cooling surface layer of the Earth’s convective system, the lithosphere thickens over time. It is fragmented into relatively strong pieces or plates, which move independently relative to one another. These lithospheric movements are (…)

Mercury is a poisonous environmental pollutant whose greatest source is the emission from the lithosphere. Other major sources are industry and burning of wastes and fossil fuels. Mercury exists in three forms: elemental mercury, inorganic mercury compounds and organic mercury. Mercury (…)