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ABSTRACT: The characteristics of Hg wet deposition were investigated in a rural area of Korea from August 2006 to July 2008. The volume weighted mean (VWM) Hg(T) concentration and cumulative Hg(T) flux were 8.8 ng L(-1) and 9.4 μg m(-2) per year, respectively. The VWM Hg(T) concentration varied seasonally, similar to the seasonal pattern in atmospheric Hg(p) concentration. The enhancement of both VWM Hg(T) and atmospheric Hg(p) concentrations in spring and winter was likely caused by the long-range transport of Hg from China. Monthly VWM Hg(T) and atmospheric Hg(p) concentrations were well correlated (R(2) = 0.36); however, there was no correlation between VWM Hg(T) and RGM (reactive gaseous mercury) concentrations, suggesting that Hg(p) was responsible for the majority of the Hg in wet deposition at this site. The VWM Hg(T) concentration in snow was statistically higher than in rain. In addition, the atmospheric Hg(p) concentration appeared to be elevated for snow events as well. This suggests that both elevated Hg(p) concentrations and the enhanced scavenging efficiency of snow for Hg(p) were responsible for the elevated VWM Hg(T) concentrations measured during snow events.
Journal of Environmental Monitoring 08/2011; 13(10):2748-54. · 1.99 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The effects of various factors including turbidity, pH, DOC, temperature, and solar radiation on the concentrations of total mercury (TM) and dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) were investigated in an artificial reservoir in Korea. Episodic total mercury accumulation events occurred during the rainy season as turbidity increased, indicating that the TM concentration was not controlled by direct atmospheric deposition. The DGM concentration in surface water ranged from 3.6 to 160 pg/L, having a maximum in summer and minimum in winter. While in most previous studies DGM was controlled primarily by a photo-reduction process, DGM concentrations tracked the amount of solar radiation only in winter when the water temperature was fairly low in this study. During the other seasons microbial transformation seemed to play an important role in reducing Hg(II) to Hg(0). DGM increased as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration increased (p-value < 0.01) while it increased with a decrease of pH (p-value < 0.01).
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex: 1987) 09/2009; 158(2):347-55. · 3.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Changes in deposition of gaseous divalent mercury (Hg(II)) and particulate mercury (Hg(p)) in New Hampshire due to changes in local sources from 1996 to 2002 were assessed using the Industrial Source Complex Short Term (ISCST3) model (regional and global sources and Hg atmospheric reactions were not considered). Mercury (Hg) emissions in New Hampshire and adjacent areas decreased significantly (from 1540 to 880 kg yr(-1)) during this period, and the average annual modeled deposition of total Hg also declined from 17 to 7.0 microg m(-2) yr(-1) for the same period. In 2002, the maximum amount of Hg deposition was modeled to be in southern New Hampshire, while for 1996 the maximum deposition occurred farther north and east. The ISCST3 was also used to evaluate two future scenarios. The average percent difference in deposition across all cells was 5% for the 50% reduction scenario and 9% for the 90% reduction scenario.
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex: 1987) 05/2008; 156(3):1348-56. · 3.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Eastern North America receives elevated atmospheric mercury deposition from a combination of local, regional, and global sources. Anthropogenic emissions originate largely from electric utilities, incinerators, and industrial processes. The mercury species in these emissions have variable atmospheric residence times, which influence their atmospheric transport and deposition patterns. Forested regions with a prevalence of wetlands and of unproductive surface waters promote high concentrations of mercury in freshwater biota and thus are particularly sensitive to mercury deposition. Through fish consumption, humans and wildlife are exposed to methylmercury, which markedly bioaccumulates up the freshwater food chain. Average mercury concentrations in yellow perch fillets exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's human health criterion across the region, and mercury concentrations are high enough in piscivorous wildlife to cause adverse behavioral, physiological, and reproductive effects. Initiatives are under way to decrease mercury emissions from electric utilities in the United States by roughly 70%.
BioScience 12/2006; · 4.62 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Biological mercury (Hg) hotspots were identified in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada using a data set of biotic Hg concentrations. Eight layers representing three major taxa and more than 7300 observations were used to locate five biological Hg hotspots and nine areas of concern. The yellow perch and common loon were chosen as indicator species for the human and ecological effects of Hg, respectively. Biological Hg hotspots receive elevated atmospheric Hg deposition, have high landscape sensitivity, and/or experience large reservoir fluctuations. In the Merrimack River watershed, local Hg emissions are linked to elevated local deposition and high Hg concentrations in biota. Time series data for this region suggest that reductions in Hg emissions from local sources can lead to rapid reductions of Hg in biota. An enhanced Hg monitoring network is needed to further document areas of high deposition, biological hotspots, and the response to emissions reductions and other mitigation strategies.
BioScience 12/2006; · 4.62 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) was measured using an annular denuder coated with potassium chloride at three rural sites (Potsdam, Stockton, and Sterling) in New York State from April 2002 to April 2003. Concentrations of RGM ranged from 0.1 to 84.6 pg m(-3) with large spatial and temporal variation. Potential source contribution function (PSCF), a common receptor modeling tool, was used with these measurements, and source-receptor relationships were calculated using back-dispersion and deposition as well as back-trajectories. Modeling results were compared with the RGM emissions inventory, and Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients were calculated. PSCF results incorporating backward dispersion and deposition were better correlated with the emissions inventory than PSCF based on back-trajectories alone. This difference was determined to be mainly due to the inclusion of dispersion rather than deposition. The main sources of RGM were suggested to be coal-fired power plants in New York and Pennsylvania, the large copper smelter in Quebec, and the taconite mining areas around the Great Lakes.
Environmental Science and Technology 04/2005; 39(6):1715-23. · 5.23 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) was measured using an annular denuder coated with potassium chloride at three rural sites (Potsdam, Stockton, and Sterling) in New York State from April 2002 to April 2003. Concentrations of RGM ranged from 0.1 to 84.6 pg m-3 with large spatial and temporal variation. Potential source contribution function (PSCF), a common receptor modeling tool, was used with these measurements, and source−receptor relationships were calculated using back-dispersion and deposition as well as back-trajectories. Modeling results were compared with the RGM emissions inventory, and Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients were calculated. PSCF results incorporating backward dispersion and deposition were better correlated with the emissions inventory than PSCF based on back-trajectories alone. This difference was determined to be mainly due to the inclusion of dispersion rather than deposition. The main sources of RGM were suggested to be coal-fired power plants in New York and Pennsylvania, the large copper smelter in Quebec, and the taconite mining areas around the Great Lakes.
02/2005;
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ABSTRACT: Daily PM2.5 samples, Hg0 and speciated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) were simultaneously collected at Potsdam and Stockton site in NY during the summers of 2000 and 2001. Samples for determination of the mass concentration and chemical composition of the PM2.5 were obtained with a speciation network PM2.5 sampler. Chemical composition including trace elemental composition, water-soluble ions, and elemental carbon were analyzed. Elemental mercury and PAHs were sampled separately. Daily PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 0.47 to 53.7 microg m(-3) at the Potsdam site, and from 0.82 to 47.23 microg m(-3) at the Stockton site with large daily differences between the two sites. Potsdam consistently had lower mass values than Stockton. The greatest contributors to the PM2.5 mass (generally >0.1 microg/m(3)) were sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and BC at both sites. Seventeen PAHs were identified at each site in 2000 and the average total concentrations were 3.2 ng/m(3) and 2.9 ng/m(3) at the Potsdam and Stockton sites, respectively. The mean vapor phase mercury concentration at the Potsdam site (2.4 +/-1.2 ng m(-3), n=93) was higher than that at the Stockton site (1.2 +/- 1.0 ng m(-3), n=60) in 2000, whereas in 2001, the average concentrations were 1.1 ng m(-3) and 1.6 ng m(-3) at the Potsdam and Stockton sites, respectively. In general, vapor phase mercury concentrations increased with increasing ambient temperature at the Stockton site in 2000. These differences in values between 2000 and 2001 can be largely explained by distinct differences in the meteorological regimes that dominated in the different years.
Environmental Pollution 01/2003; 123(3):413-25. · 3.75 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Atmospheric mercury (Hg) loadings to Lake Ontario were estimated using data measured at two land-based sites: Sterling, NY and Point Petre, Ont., as part of the Lake Ontario air deposition study (LOADS) between April 2002 and March 2003. These loadings were compared with those estimated using intensive data measured onboard the R/V Lake Guardian in April 2002, September 2002, and July 2003 (each approximately one week). Measured concentrations and modeled mass transfer coefficients of elemental mercury (Hg0), reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) and particulate mercury (Hg(p)) in air and total Hg in precipitation were incorporated into a total deposition model including wet deposition, air–water gas exchange and particle dry deposition. Urban/rural Hg concentration ratios were assumed based on literature values. Assuming that 10% of the lake was influenced by urban areas, the annual net Hg atmospheric loadings of wet deposition, net air–water gas exchange of Hg0 (deposition=300 kg yr−1 and emission=410 kg yr−1) and RGM, and Hg(p) dry deposition to Lake Ontario were estimated to be 170, −110, 68, and 20 kg, respectively, resulting in a net loading of 150 kg yr−1. Net Hg loadings were largest in the fall (46 kg) and smallest in the summer (20 kg). Hg0, wet, RGM and Hg(p) deposition contributed 55%, 30%, 12%, and 3.6% of the total Hg deposition, respectively. The net loading was found to be most sensitive to the assumed urban/rural concentration ratios, wind speed, DGM concentration and Hg0 transfer velocity. An increase in the influence of urban areas from 0% to 30% resulted in a 90% increase in the total loading demonstrating the complexity and non-linearity of the atmospheric deposition of mercury to Lake Ontario and the importance of quantifying the urban footprint.
Atmospheric Environment.
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ABSTRACT: Elemental dry deposition fluxes were measured using dry deposition plates from March to June 1998 in Seoul, Korea. During this spring sampling period several yellow-sand events characterized by long-range transport from China and Mongolia impacted the area. Understanding the impact of yellow-sand events on atmospheric dry deposition is critical to managing the heavy metal levels in the environment in Korea. In this study, the measured flux of a primarily crustal metal, Al and an anthropogenic metal, Pb was used with two hybrid receptor models, potential source contribution function (PSCF) and residence time weighted concentration (RTWC) for locating sources of heavy metals associated with atmospheric dry deposition fluxes during the yellow-sand events in Seoul, Korea.The PSCF using a criterion value of the 75th percentile of the measured dry deposition fluxes and RTWC results using the measured elemental dry deposition fluxes agreed well and consistently showed that there were large potential source areas in the Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia and industrial areas near Tianjin, Tangshan, and Shenyang in China. Major industrial areas of Shenyang, Fushun, and Anshan, the Central China loess plateau, the Gobi Desert, and the Alashan semi-desert in China were identified to be major source areas for the measured Pb flux in Seoul, Korea. For Al, the main industrial areas of Tangshan, Tianjin and Beijing, the Gobi Desert, the Alashan semi-desert, and the Central China loess plateau were found to be the major source areas. These results indicate that both anthropogenic sources such as industrial areas and natural sources such as deserts contribute to the high dry deposition fluxes of both Pb and Al in Seoul, Korea during yellow-sand events.RTWC resolved several high potential source areas. Modeling results indicated that the long-range transport of Al and Pb from China during yellow-sand events as well as non-yellow-sand spring daytimes increased atmospheric dry deposition of heavy metals in Korea.
Atmospheric Environment.
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ABSTRACT: a b s t r a c t We estimated the source contributions to carbonaceous aerosol concentration in Korea on the basis of Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment Phase B (INTEX-B) anthropogenic emissions and satellite-derived biomass burning emissions by using a nested version of GEOS-Chem with a spatial resolution of 0.5 Â 0.667 for the period March 2006eFebruary 2007. First, we evaluated the model by comparing the simulated and observed aerosol concentrations at East Asia Network (EANET) sites and at a site in Korea. The results indicate that the model reproduces the variability and magnitudes of the observed SO 4 2À , NO 3 À , and NH 4 þ concentrations in Korea and those of the observed PM 10 concentrations in East Asia. However, the organic carbon (OC) and black carbon (BC) aerosol concentrations estimated by the model are lower than those observed in Korea by a factor of 2, especially in winter. This underes-timation is likely due to extremely low domestic anthropogenic emissions and lack in seasonal variation. Source adjustments using a simple fitting and the Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) monthly allocation factors for seasonal variation yield significantly improved model results (R 2 increased from 0.58 to 0.84), which can then be used to estimate the source contributions to the OC and BC concentrations in Korea. We found that domestic anthropogenic emissions are the most important factors, contributing 74% (9% from fossil fuels and 65% from biofuels) and 78% (42% from fossil fuels and 36% from biofuels) to the OC and BC concentrations, respectively, on an annual mean basis in Korea. The trans-boundary transport of Chinese sources is another important factor, contributing 13% and 20% to the OC and BC concentrations, respectively. The contributions of wildfires and biogenic sources to the annual mean carbonaceous aerosol concentration in Korea are relatively small (4% and 6%, respectively).
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Young-Ji. Han
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ABSTRACT: A measurement program in this study has been undertaken to measure the concentrations of particles and Hg0 in rural areas of New York State during the summer of 2000 and 2001. Sampling was performed at sites in southwestern (Stockton, NY) and northern New York (Potsdam, NY) where these materials may be transported into the New York from the central United States and from Canada. The data from these measurements were used in paired receptor models to assess the origins of the measured concentrations. Factor analysis in the form of positive matrix factorization (PMF) was used to obtain information about possible sources of the aerosol. Six and seven sources were resolved from Stockton and Potsdam sites, respectively. Six of the sources are common to the two sites in these two summers. They are secondary sulfate, secondary nitrate, soil, wood smoke, zinc smelter and copper smelter. A nickel smelter source is also resolved at Potsdam. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis which combines the aerosol data with the air parcel backward trajectories was applied to identify possible source areas and pathways from these sources at the two sites. The combination of the two receptor modeling methods, PMF and PSCF, provides an effective way in identifying atmospheric aerosol sources and their likely locations. Emissions from different anthropogenic activities as well as secondary aerosol production are the main source measured in Potsdam and Stockton.
Atmospheric Environment.
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ABSTRACT: Ambient gaseous phase mercury concentrations (TGM) were measured at three locations in NY State including Potsdam, Stockton, and Sterling from May 2000 to March 2005. Using these data, three hybrid receptor models incorporating backward trajectories were used to identify source areas for TGM. The models used were potential source contribution function (PSCF), residence time weighted concentration (RTWC), and simplified quantitative transport bias analysis (SQTBA). Each model was applied using multi-site measurements to resolve the locations of important mercury sources for New York State.PSCF results showed that southeastern New York, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Virginia were important TGM source areas for these sites. RTWC identified Canadian sources including the metal production facilities in Ontario and Quebec, but US regional sources including the Ohio River Valley were also resolved. Sources in southeastern NY, Massachusetts, western Pennsylvania, Indiana, and northern Illinois were identified to be significant by SQTBA. The three modeling results were combined to locate the most important probable source locations, and those are Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The Atlantic Ocean was suggested to be a possible source as well.
Atmospheric Environment.
