Cu and C substitution for Hg in Hg-based cuprate superconductors is di
scussed. The large Hg Debye-Waller factor usually obtained from refine
ments. based on diffraction data should be interpreted as an indicatio
n of carbon substitution for the Hg cations. This assumption is corrob
orated by HREM, powder x-ray anomalous dispersion, and powder neutron
diffraction investigations.