Spatial and seasonal dynamics of gaseous elemental mercury concentrations over Switzerland observed by a passive air sampler network

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a threat to the environment and human health. As a consequence, the Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted in 2013 to reduce Hg pollution by curbing anthropogenic emissions. Analysis of gaseous elemental Hg (Hg⁰) concentration trends in the atmosphere has been identified as a cost-effective means to evaluate progress on reducing Hg pollution. Therefore, spatial coverage of atmospheric Hg⁰ concentration measurements should be expanded. We established an atmospheric Hg⁰ concentration monitoring network with 22 sites across Switzerland, using the Mercury Passive Air Sampler (MerPAS®). The mean annual atmospheric Hg⁰ concentration in Switzerland was 1.34 ± 0.20 ng m⁻³ (August 22, 2022 – September 21, 2023), similar to current observations at European air monitoring stations. Mean atmospheric Hg⁰ concentrations were significantly lower at rural stations (1.25 ± 0.11 ng m⁻³) than at urban (1.37 ± 0.14 ng m⁻³) stations (Mann-Whitney U-test, p < 0.01). This concentration difference can be explained by more local Hg emissions at urban sites (e.g., by fuel combustion) throughout the year as well as by more pronounced stomatal Hg⁰ uptake at rural sites during spring and summer. We recommend continuing the Swiss Atmospheric Mercury Network to support the call from the Minamata Convention to monitor atmospheric Hg⁰ as a control on whether international efforts are successful in reducing Hg in the environment. Longer term records from such monitoring networks will also help improve the understanding of both regional and global Hg cycles.