Progress in the research on the transport characteristics of gaseous element mercury in coastal areas of Institute of Urban Environment,Chinese Academy of Sciences

by: Institute of Urban Environment,Chinese Academy of Sciences

At normal temperature and pressure, mercury is the only metal element that can exist in the atmosphere in gaseous form. However, most of mercury and mercury compounds are highly toxic substances, which can enter the human body through food chain, respiration, skin contact, etc. It has toxic effects on the kidney, liver, reproductive system, and nervous system, affecting the normal physiological functions of the body and threatening Human health. Studies have shown that atmospheric elemental mercury has the characteristics of long-distance transport, and the sources of pollution are affected by both local and external transport sources. During the transmission process, it can chemically react with other substances in the atmosphere, affecting the fate of atmospheric mercury. A large number of previous studies have focused on the pollution characteristics and source analysis of elemental mercury, while ignoring the importance of air mass transport on the cause of elemental mercury pollution.

Based on the above background, the Xiao Hang team of the Institute of Urban Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted elementary mercury observation research in the coastal area of Ningbo City. The results of the study indicate that the alternation of sea and land air masses is the main cause of fluctuations in elemental mercury concentration. Continental air masses can significantly increase the pollution level of elemental mercury. In the pollution process, elemental mercury has a synchronous change trend with SO2 and PM2.5. Artificial sources such as coal combustion and industrial emissions are the main sources of elemental mercury pollution. Long-distance transportation from Jiangxi, Anhui and Hubei has a significant impact on elemental mercury pollution in the Yangtze River Delta. The analysis of the source of elemental mercury air mass transmission reveals the pollution characteristics and changes of elemental mercury, which can provide important support for atmospheric mercury management strategies.

The research results were published in Atmospheric Research under the title "Temporal variation and long–range transport of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) over a coastal site of East China". The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2019.104699

Pollution process analysis (a) changes of GEM, PM2.5, SO2, wind speed and wind direction concentration during the pollution process from December 21 to December 24; (c) comparison of pollutant concentration under the conditions of continental air mass on December 22 and marine air mass on December 25

Weight concentration trace analysis reveals the potential source area of elemental mercury in the Yangtze River Delta

Abstract of paper

Editor in charge: Ye Ruiyou

Source: http://www.cas.cn/syky/202004/t20200417_4741459.shtml