A Mercury Trough is a piece of laboratory ware used for collecting water-soluble gases. This is, in fact, a pneumatic trough that uses mercury instead of water for collecting gases such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. The general procedure of collecting gases is very much similar to a typical pneumatic trough.
Mercury trough is an important piece of equipment that is used in several lab procedures involving gases. Those made of porcelain boast of high endurance features and functional efficiency. Earlier, wood was among the most common material for manufacturing troughs. However, this material costs higher than porcelain and does not last longer. Porcelain scores above than any of the materials used for manufacturing troughs.