Self-dispersion of mercury metal into aqueous solutions

► Mercury metal disperses spontaneously in water as micro-droplets 0.3 μm in diameter. ► We determine concentrations of micro-droplets by DLS, TG and voltammetry. ► Self-dispersed concentration is by 1000 times larger than the environmental standard. ► Dispersion of mercury resembles self-emulsification at liquid|liquid interfaces.