Issue 8, 2024

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.

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

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Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 apr 2024
Accepted
22 jun 2024
First published
03 jul 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 848-860

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

S. Osterwalder, R. Schibler, C. Hüglin, B. Schwarzenbach, G. Stupple, K. MacSween, K. Bishop, C. Alewell and N. Buchmann, Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024, 4, 848 DOI: 10.1039/D4EA00052H

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