Issue |
J. Phys. IV France
Volume 121, December 2004
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Page(s) | 195 - 208 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:2004121013 |
J. Phys. IV France 121 (2004) 195-208
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:2004121013
Springtime accumulation of atmospheric mercury in polar ecosystems
R. Ebinghaus1, C. Temme1, S.E. Lindberg2 and K.J. Scott31 GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht, Institute for Coastal Research, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
2 Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
3 Photuris, 720 Ingersoll Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3G 2J6, Canada
Abstract
Mercury and many of its compounds behave
exceptionally in the environment due to their volatility, capability for
methylation, and subsequent biomagnification in contrast with most of the
other heavy metals. Long-range atmospheric transport of elemental mercury,
its transformation to more toxic methylmercury compounds, the ability to
undergo photochemical reactions and their bioaccumulation in the aquatic
food chain have made it a subject of global research activities. Atmospheric
Mercury Depletion Events (AMDEs) during polar springtime have been
experimentally observed in the Arctic and in the Antarctic. During these
events Hg0 and ozone concentrations are significantly depleted and well
correlated, whereas concentrations of reactive gaseous mercury species (RGM)
simultaneously increase. The main reaction mechanism and corresponding
chemical and physical properties of involved species in polar regions are
summarized in this work. Hg0 is removed from the atmosphere
and deposited onto the underlying surface snow. This paper focused on the
fast, photochemically driven, oxidation of boundary-layer Hg0, the
influence of reactive halogen chemistry, and the resultant net input of
mercury into the polar ecosystem during and after polar springtime. Several
estimates of the size of the Arctic sink for newly deposited Hg range from
100 - 300 T/y, while estimates of the Antarctic sink are far
more uncertain. The role of re-emission of elemental mercury from the snow
surface is critically discussed.
© EDP Sciences 2004