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Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis, and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals

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A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Quality".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (18 November 2020) | Viewed by 29705

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. James Cizdziel

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry, University of Mississippi, 322 Coulter Hall, University, MS 38677, USA
Interests: biogeochemical cycling of mercury; developing analytical and instrumental methods for investigating the behavior of trace elements (both radioactive and stable) in the environment; microplastic pollution; forensic analyses of 3D-printed firearms; ICP–MS; dendrochemistry; fishing; mercury passive air samplers; air quality measurements with unmanned aerial vehicles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on “Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring and Analysis” of the journal Atmosphere is devoted to all aspects of atmospheric mercury, including instrumental advances; air–surface fluxes; airborne mercury contamination from artisanal gold mining; indoor and outdoor air monitoring; mercury passive air samplers; and atmospheric mercury chemistry, isotopic composition, and modeling.

Mercury is a persistent and toxic heavy metal that concentrates up the aquatic food chain, reaching levels that can harm both humans and wildlife. Recognizing this global problem, over 100 nations from around the world have signed the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a treaty focused on reducing mercury pollution. Accurately measuring atmospheric mercury is critical to understanding its sources, cycling, distribution, and temporal trends and, thus, is key to evaluating the effectiveness of the Minamata Treaty. However, determining concentrations of airborne mercury remain challenging due to its low background (often <2 ng m⁻³) and complex atmospheric chemistry.

Further, because mercury recycles between environmental compartments, it is necessary to quantify fluxes between the air and surfaces, though fluxes from natural landscapes are still poorly characterized. Recently, passive air samplers for atmospheric mercury are gaining popularity because they are low in cost, require no power, and can be deployed at multiple locations, yielding greater spatial resolution, albeit at coarser temporal resolution compared to active sampling. Not to be overlooked, isotopic measurements—while extremely challenging to obtain—are offering new insights into atmospheric mercury movement and transformations.

Yet, much work needs to be done to better understand airborne mercury dynamics in a rapidly changing world and changing climate. Moreover, knowledge gained needs to be passed on to the next generation of scientists so that we can continue to take steps to minimize Hg exposure to future generations. Thus, I encourage everyone, especially the younger scientists, to submit your work to this Special Issue. Manuscripts on all aspects of atmospheric mercury, including short reviews, are welcome.

Prof. Dr. James Cizdziel
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Keywords

atmospheric mercury
Minamata treaty
indoor air
passive air sampler
airborne mercury modeling
atmospheric mercury chemistry
mercury isotopes
artisanal gold mining
mercury air–surface fluxes.

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 169 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis, and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals

by James V. Cizdziel

Atmosphere 2021, 12(2), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12020166 - 28 Jan 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1836

Abstract

Mercury is a persistent and toxic global contaminant that is transported through the atmosphere, deposits to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis, and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

22 pages, 2815 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mercury Challenges in Mexico: Regulatory, Trade and Environmental Impacts

by Bruce Gavin Marshall, Arlette Andrea Camacho, Gabriel Jimenez and Marcello Mariz Veiga

Atmosphere 2021, 12(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12010057 - 31 Dec 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4212

Abstract

Primary artisanal mercury (Hg) mining in Mexico continues to proliferate unabated, while official Hg exports have declined in recent years amid speculation of a rising black market trade. In this paper, an assessment of primary Hg mining in Mexico was conducted, with a focus on four sites in Querétaro State. Atmospheric Hg concentrations were measured at two of those sites. In addition, trade data was examined, including Hg exports from Mexico and imports by countries that have a large artisanal gold mining (AGM) sector. Results showed that while annual Hg production in Mexico has ramped up in recent years, official Hg exports reduced from 307 tonnes in 2015 to 63 tonnes in 2019. Since 2010, mercury exports to Colombia, Peru and Bolivia have represented 77% of Mexico’s total Hg trade. As the large majority of Hg trade with these countries is apparently destined for the AGM sector, which is contrary to Article 3 of the Minamata Convention, there is evidence that increased international scrutiny has led to an increase in unregulated international transfers. Atmospheric Hg concentrations at the mines show dangerously high levels, raising concern over the risk of significant health impacts to miners and other community members. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis, and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals)

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11 pages, 1080 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Direct Measurement of Mercury Deposition at Rural and Suburban Sites in Washington State, USA

by Marc W. Beutel, Lanka DeSilva and Louis Amegbletor

Atmosphere 2021, 12(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12010035 - 30 Dec 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2347

Abstract

Because of mercury’s (Hg) capacity for long-range transport in the atmosphere, and its tendency to bioaccumulate in aquatic biota, there is a critical need to measure spatial and temporal patterns of Hg atmospheric deposition. Dry deposition of Hg is commonly calculated as the product of a measured atmospheric concentration and an assumed deposition velocity. An alternative is to directly assess Hg deposition via accumulation on surrogate surfaces. Using a direct measurement approach, this study quantified Hg deposition at a rural site (Pullman) and suburban site (Puyallup) in Washington State using simple, low-cost equipment. Dry deposition was measured using an aerodynamic “wet sampler” consisting of a Teflon plate, 35 cm in diameter, holding a thin layer (2.5 mm) of recirculating acidic aqueous receiving solution. In addition, wet Hg deposition was measured using a borosilicate glass funnel with a 20-cm-diameter opening and a 1 L Teflon sampling bottle. Hg deposition was estimated based on changes in total Hg in the aqueous phase of the samplers. Dry Hg deposition was 2.4 ± 1.4 ng/m²·h (average plus/minus standard deviation; n = 4) in Pullman and 1.3 ± 0.3 ng/m²·h (n = 6) in Puyallup. Wet Hg deposition was 7.0 ± 4.8 ng/m²·h (n = 4) in Pullman and 1.1 ± 0.2 ng/m²·h (n = 3) in Puyallup. Relatively high rates of Hg deposition in Pullman were attributed to regional agricultural activities that enhance mercury re-emission and deposition including agricultural harvesting and field burning. Hg concentration in precipitation negatively correlated with precipitation depth, indicating that Hg was scavenged from the atmosphere during the beginning of storm events. Because of their relative simplicity and robustness, direct measurement approaches such as those described in this study are useful in assessing Hg deposition, and for comparing results to less direct estimates and model estimates of Hg deposition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis, and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals)

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10 pages, 3509 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Atmospheric Mercury Deposition in Macedonia from 2002 to 2015 Determined Using the Moss Biomonitoring Technique

by Trajče Stafilov, Lambe Barandovski, Robert Šajn and Katerina Bačeva Andonovska

Atmosphere 2020, 11(12), 1379; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11121379 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2618

Abstract

The moss biomonitoring technique was used in 2002, 2005, 2010 and 2015 in a potentially toxic elements study (PTEs) in Macedonia. For that purpose, more than 70 moss samples from two dominant species (Hypnum cupressiforme and Homalothecium lutescens) were collected during the summers of the mentioned years. Total digestion of the samples was done using a microwave digestion system, whilst mercury was analyzed by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CV–AAS). The content of mercury ranged from 0.018 mg/kg to 0.26 mg/kg in 2002, from 0.010 mg/kg to 0.42 mg/kg in 2005, from 0.010 mg/kg to 0.60 mg/kg in 2010 and from 0.020 mg/kg to 0.25 mg/kg in 2015. Analysis of the median values shows the increase of the content in the period 2002–2010 and a slight reduction of the air pollution with Hg in the period 2010–2015. Mercury distribution maps show that sites with increased concentrations of mercury in moss are likely impacted by anthropogenic pollution. The results were compared to similar studies done during the same years in neighboring countries and in Norway—which is a pristine area and serves as a reference, and it was concluded that mercury air pollution in Macedonia is significant primarily in industrialized regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis, and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals)

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12 pages, 2623 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Anthropogenic Emissions and Meteorological Variation on Hg Wet Deposition in Chongming, China

by Yi Tang, Qingru Wu, Wei Gao, Shuxiao Wang, Zhijian Li, Kaiyun Liu and Deming Han

Atmosphere 2020, 11(12), 1301; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11121301 - 30 Nov 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2189

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous environmental toxicant that has caused global concern due to its persistence and bioaccumulation in the environment. Wet deposition is a crucial Hg input for both terrestrial and aquatic environments and is a significant indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of anthropogenic Hg control. Rainwater samples were collected from May 2014 to October 2018 in Chongming Island to understand the multi-year Hg wet deposition characteristics. The annual Hg wet deposition flux ranged from 2.6 to 9.8 μg m⁻² yr⁻¹ (mean: 4.9 μg m⁻² yr⁻¹). Hg wet deposition flux in Chongming was comparable to the observations at temperate and subtropical background sites (2.0–10.2 μg m⁻² yr⁻¹) in the northern hemisphere. Hg wet deposition flux decreased from 8.6 μg m⁻² yr⁻¹ in 2014–2015 to 3.8 μg m⁻² yr⁻¹ in 2016 and was attributed to a decrease in the volume-weighted mean (VWM) Hg concentration (−4.1 ng L⁻¹ yr⁻¹). The reduced VWM Hg was explained by the decreasing atmospheric Hg and anthropogenic emissions reductions. The annual Hg wet deposition flux further decreased from 3.8 μg m⁻² in 2016 to 2.6 μg m⁻² in 2018. The reduction of warm season (April–September) rainfall amounts (356–845 mm) mainly contributed to the Hg wet deposition flux reduction during 2016–2018. The multi-year monitoring results suggest that long-term measurements are necessary when using wet deposition as an indicator to reflect the impact of anthropogenic efforts on mercury pollution control and meteorological condition variations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis, and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals)

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18 pages, 3402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gaseous Elemental Mercury Concentrations along the Northern Gulf of Mexico Using Passive Air Sampling, with a Comparison to Active Sampling

by Byunggwon Jeon, James V. Cizdziel, J. Stephen Brewer, Winston T. Luke, Mark D. Cohen, Xinrong Ren and Paul Kelley

Atmosphere 2020, 11(10), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11101034 - 26 Sep 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3386

Abstract

Mercury is a toxic element that is dispersed globally through the atmosphere. Accurately measuring airborne mercury concentrations aids understanding of the pollutant’s sources, distribution, cycling, and trends. We deployed MerPAS^® passive air samplers (PAS) for ~4 weeks during each season, from spring 2019 to winter 2020, to determine gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) levels at six locations along the northern Gulf of Mexico, where the pollutant is of particular concern due to high mercury wet deposition rates and high concentrations in local seafood. The objective was to (1) evaluate spatial and seasonal trends along the Mississippi and Alabama coast, and (2) compare active and passive sampling methods for GEM at Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, an Atmospheric Mercury Network site. We observed higher GEM levels (p < 0.05) in the winter (1.53 ± 0.03 ng m⁻³) compared to other seasons at all sites; with the general pattern being: winter > spring > summer ≈ fall. Average GEM levels (all deployment combined) were highest at Bay St. Louis (1.36 ± 0.05 ng m⁻³), the western-most site nearest the New Orleans metropolitan area, and lowest at Cedar Point (1.07 ± 0.09 ng m⁻³), a coastal marsh with extensive vegetation that can uptake GEM. The MerPAS units compared reasonably well with the established active monitoring system, but gave slightly lower concentrations, except in the winter when the two methods were statistically similar. Both the passive and active sampling methods showed the same seasonal trends and the difference between them for each season was <15%, acceptable for evaluating larger spatial and temporal trends. Overall, this work demonstrates that PASs can provide insight into GEM levels and the factors affecting them along coastal regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis, and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals)

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14 pages, 1491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Traceable Determination of Atmospheric Mercury Using Iodinated Activated Carbon Traps

by Igor Živković, Sabina Berisha, Jože Kotnik, Marta Jagodic and Milena Horvat

Atmosphere 2020, 11(8), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11080780 - 24 Jul 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2796

Abstract

Traceable determination of atmospheric mercury (Hg) represents a major analytical problem due to low environmental concentrations. Although Hg pre-concentration on activated carbon (AC) traps is a simple method for sample collection, Hg determination is difficult due to a complex matrix that cannot be easily digested using wet chemistry. Two approaches for Hg loading on iodinated AC, the purging of elemental mercury (Hg⁰) and the spiking a solution of standard reference material (SRM), were used to test whether spiking SRM solution on AC can be used for the traceable determination of atmospheric mercury collected as Hg⁰. Mercury on AC was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry after sample combustion. The detector’s response for both loading methods was identical in a wide concentration range, indicating that the spiking of SRM on AC can, indeed, be used for the calibration of analytical systems used for the determination of atmospheric mercury. This was confirmed by the determination of Hg in a real atmospheric sample collected on an iodinated AC trap and using an SRM spiking calibration. Different ACs were compared regarding their ability to quantitatively capture Hg while having the lowest breakthrough. Use of a specific impregnating solution probably converted Hg on AC to Millon’s iodide, as estimated from the fractionation thermogram. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis, and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals)

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21 pages, 3565 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

A Collaborative Training Program to Assess Mercury Pollution from Gold Shops in Guyana’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector

by Samantha T. Brown, Lloyd L. Bandoo, Shenelle S. Agard, Shemeiza T. Thom, Tamara E. Gilhuys, Gautham K. Mudireddy, Arnith V. Eechampati, Kazi M. Hasan, Danielle C. Loving, Caryn S. Seney and Adam M. Kiefer

Atmosphere 2020, 11(7), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11070719 - 6 Jul 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4393

Abstract

A three-phase, 11-day training program designed to monitor elemental mercury (Hg⁰) emissions originating from gold shops was conducted in Georgetown and Bartica, Guyana, during May of 2019. The first phase consisted of interactive lectures and discussions on mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining throughout Guyana, the region, and the world. In addition, specific training in the theory and use of analytical instrumentation to quantify Hg⁰ pollution associated with the processing of amalgams and sponge gold occurred. Trainees participated in the mapping of smelting facilities in Georgetown where, outside of one gold shop, Hg⁰ concentrations exceeded 100,000 ng/m³. During the second phase of training, a subset of trainees traveled to Bartica, where they mapped the town center to identify point sources of Hg⁰ pollution, all of which corresponded to the location of shops where amalgams and sponge gold were heated and purchased. Once mapped, Hg⁰ concentrations were measured during the smelting of gold inside the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) facility and two privately-owned gold shops. Maximum Hg⁰ concentrations at the GGB facility did not exceed 98,700 ng/m³ during the measurement period, while maximum concentrations at the two privately owned shops were measured as 527,500 ng/m³ and 302,200 ng/m³. With guidance from the training team, trainees were responsible for the collection and interpretation of all data. The third phase of the training involved the collaborative production of a report summarizing the findings from the training. This work represents the first formal training opportunity for the assessment of Hg⁰ concentrations in and around gold shops in Guyana, and provides baseline data to assist the government of Guyana to generate air quality standards for Hg⁰ emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis, and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals)

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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

18 pages, 1727 KiB

Open AccessReview

Development of an Understanding of Reactive Mercury in Ambient Air: A Review

by Mae Sexauer Gustin, Sarrah M. Dunham-Cheatham, Jiaoyan Huang, Steve Lindberg and Seth N. Lyman

Atmosphere 2021, 12(1), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12010073 - 6 Jan 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4710

Abstract

This review focuses on providing the history of measurement efforts to quantify and characterize the compounds of reactive mercury (RM), and the current status of measurement methods and knowledge. RM collectively represents gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and that bound to particles. The presence of RM was first recognized through measurement of coal-fired power plant emissions. Once discovered, researchers focused on developing methods for measuring RM in ambient air. First, tubular KCl-coated denuders were used for stack gas measurements, followed by mist chambers and annular denuders for ambient air measurements. For ~15 years, thermal desorption of an annular KCl denuder in the Tekran^® speciation system was thought to be the gold standard for ambient GOM measurements. Research over the past ~10 years has shown that the KCl denuder does not collect GOM compounds with equal efficiency, and there are interferences with collection. Using a membrane-based system and an automated system—the Detector for Oxidized mercury System (DOHGS)—concentrations measured with the KCl denuder in the Tekran speciation system underestimate GOM concentrations by 1.3 to 13 times. Using nylon membranes it has been demonstrated that GOM/RM chemistry varies across space and time, and that this depends on the oxidant chemistry of the air. Future work should focus on development of better surfaces for collecting GOM/RM compounds, analytical methods to characterize GOM/RM chemistry, and high-resolution, calibrated measurement systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring, Analysis, and Chemistry: New Insights and Progress toward Minamata Convention Goals)

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