Measurement of Atmospheric Mercury: Current Limitations and Suggestions for Paths Forward

Mae Sexauer Gustin, Sarrah M. Dunham-Cheatham, Seth Lyman, Milena Horvat, David A. Gay, Jan Gačnik, Lynne Gratz, Geyan Kempkes, Alexei Khalizov, Che Jen Lin, Steven E. Lindberg, Livia Lown, Lynwill Martin, Robert Peter Mason, Katrina MacSween, Sreekanth Vijayakumaran Nair, Ly Sy Phu Nguyen, Trevor O’Neil, Jonas Sommar, Peter Weiss-PenziasLei Zhang, Igor Živković

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) researchers have made progress in understanding atmospheric Hg, especially with respect to oxidized Hg (HgII) that can represent 2 to 20% of Hg in the atmosphere. Knowledge developed over the past ∼10 years has pointed to existing challenges with current methods for measuring atmospheric Hg concentrations and the chemical composition of HgII compounds. Because of these challenges, atmospheric Hg experts met to discuss limitations of current methods and paths to overcome them considering ongoing research. Major conclusions included that current methods to measure gaseous oxidized and particulate-bound Hg have limitations, and new methods need to be developed to make these measurements more accurate. Developing analytical methods for measurement of HgII chemistry is challenging. While the ultimate goal is the development of ultrasensitive methods for online detection of HgII directly from ambient air, in the meantime, new surfaces are needed on which HgII can be quantitatively collected and from which it can be reversibly desorbed to determine HgII chemistry. Discussion and identification of current limitations, described here, provide a basis for paths forward. Since the atmosphere is the means by which Hg is globally distributed, accurately calibrated measurements are critical to understanding the Hg biogeochemical cycle.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)12853-12864
Number of pages12
JournalEnvironmental Science and Technology
Volume58
Issue number29
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 23 2024

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry

Keywords

  • calibration
  • dual-channel systems
  • mass spectrometry
  • monitoring networks
  • reactive mercury active system

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