Silver by Fire, Silver by Mercury: A Chemical History of Silver Refining in New Spain and Mexico, 16th to 19th Centuries

In Silver by Fire, Silver by Mercury: A Chemical History of Silver Refining in New Spain and Mexico, 16th to 19th Centuries, Saul Guerrero combines historical research with geology and chemistry to refute the current prevailing narrative of a primitive effort dominated by mercury and its copious emissions to the air. Based on quantitative historical data, visual records and geochemical fundamentals, Guerrero analyses the chemical and economic reasons why two refining processes had to share production, creating along the way major innovations in the chemical recipes, milling equipment, mercury recycling practice, and industrial architecture and operations. Their main environmental impact was lead fume and the depletion of woodlands from smelting, and the transformation of mercury into calomel during the patio process.

About the author

Saul Guerrero is Visiting Professor of the Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas, Venezuela. He has a Ph.D. in Polymer Science from Bristol University (1980), and a Ph.D. in History from McGill University (2015). He has published articles on polymer science, oil energy policy and history.

Product details

• Authors: Saul Guerrero
• Publisher: Brill
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 28.09.2017
• EAN: 9789004343825
• ISBN: 978-90-04-34382-5
• No. of pages: 468
• Dimensions: 155 mm x 235 mm x 25 mm
• Weight: 844 g
• Series: European Expansion and Indigen
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Ecology; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Business > General, dictionaries