Mercury - Chemistry's Jekyll and Hyde

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<p>The most beautiful and shimmering of the elements, the weirdest, and yet the most reviled.</p><p>Chemist Andrea Sella tell the story of Mercury, explaining the significance of this element not just for chemistry, but also the development of modern civilisation. </p><p>It's been a a source of wonder for thousands of years - why is this metal a liquid? and what is its contribution to art, from the Stone Age to the Renaissance? </p><p>We look at how Mercury is integral to hundreds of years of scientific discoveries, from weather forecasting to steam engines and the detection of atomic particles it has a key role.</p><p>However Mercury is highly toxic in certain forms and ironically the industrial processes it helped create have led to global pollution which now threatens fish, wildlife and ourselves. </p><p>We ask is it time to say goodbye to Mercury?</p><p>Picture: Hg, mercury metal drops, credit: AlexeyVS/Getty Images</p>