Coastal Urban Atmospheric Mercury Cycling and Emissions in Boston, MA

Coastal Urban Atmospheric Mercury Cycling and Emissions in Boston, MA PDF Author: Emma Rutkowski
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 57

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Book Description
This study aims to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding mercury emissions by reporting on a coastal, urban setting subject to inputs from both anthropogenic and oceanic reservoirs, in order to improve related policy decisions. Mercury can have serious health and ecological consequences, but the chemistry, transport and deposition of gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0) are still not well understood. Estimates of anthropogenic emissions also remain uncertain. To better constrain urban- and regional-scale chemistry and emissions in a specifically coastal environment, concentrations of Hg0 were measured at an urban site in Boston, MA from Aug 2017 to Sept 2018. The recorded concentrations were compared against supplementary records of several additional pollutants and meteorological variables. Concentrations in Boston were found to be relatively low, but follow diurnal and seasonal trends previously observed in other sites in the United States driven by meteorology. Further, back-trajectory and potential source contribution function analysis revealed oceanic re-emission of legacy deposits is a major input of Hg0 to the Boston area, but no influence from specific large anthropogenic point sources was discernible in the data. A one box model was developed to represent the physical processes controlling Hg0 concentrations in Boston in order to replicate concentrations, capture the difference in concentrations from land and ocean sources, and estimate both anthropogenic and oceanic emissions. Results from the box model analysis show the sensitivity of local Hg0 concentrations to varying assumptions of mixing, background flux, meteorology, and emissions, and indicate that oceanic emissions and anthropogenic emissions are likely both higher than current estimates. The results of this study indicate the ocean plays a major role in Hg0 cycling in coastal areas and provides motivation for further improvement of models to better capture local sources and cycling.

Coastal Urban Atmospheric Mercury Cycling and Emissions in Boston, MA

Coastal Urban Atmospheric Mercury Cycling and Emissions in Boston, MA PDF Author: Emma Rutkowski
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 57

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Book Description
This study aims to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding mercury emissions by reporting on a coastal, urban setting subject to inputs from both anthropogenic and oceanic reservoirs, in order to improve related policy decisions. Mercury can have serious health and ecological consequences, but the chemistry, transport and deposition of gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0) are still not well understood. Estimates of anthropogenic emissions also remain uncertain. To better constrain urban- and regional-scale chemistry and emissions in a specifically coastal environment, concentrations of Hg0 were measured at an urban site in Boston, MA from Aug 2017 to Sept 2018. The recorded concentrations were compared against supplementary records of several additional pollutants and meteorological variables. Concentrations in Boston were found to be relatively low, but follow diurnal and seasonal trends previously observed in other sites in the United States driven by meteorology. Further, back-trajectory and potential source contribution function analysis revealed oceanic re-emission of legacy deposits is a major input of Hg0 to the Boston area, but no influence from specific large anthropogenic point sources was discernible in the data. A one box model was developed to represent the physical processes controlling Hg0 concentrations in Boston in order to replicate concentrations, capture the difference in concentrations from land and ocean sources, and estimate both anthropogenic and oceanic emissions. Results from the box model analysis show the sensitivity of local Hg0 concentrations to varying assumptions of mixing, background flux, meteorology, and emissions, and indicate that oceanic emissions and anthropogenic emissions are likely both higher than current estimates. The results of this study indicate the ocean plays a major role in Hg0 cycling in coastal areas and provides motivation for further improvement of models to better capture local sources and cycling.

Urban Atmospheric Mercury

Urban Atmospheric Mercury PDF Author: Amy E. Gildemeister
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 396

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Atmospheric Mercury Speciation in Urban Air

Atmospheric Mercury Speciation in Urban Air PDF Author: Bian Liu
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 406

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Atmospheric Mercury

Atmospheric Mercury PDF Author: Robert W. Talbot
Publisher: MDPI
ISBN: 3038422908
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 307

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Book Description
This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Atmospheric Mercury" that was published in Atmosphere

Urban Atmospheric Mercury Contamination from Artisanal Mining

Urban Atmospheric Mercury Contamination from Artisanal Mining PDF Author: Paul David Cordy
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Urban Atmospheric Aerosols

Urban Atmospheric Aerosols PDF Author: Regina M. B. O. Duarte
Publisher: MDPI
ISBN: 3039439316
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 146

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Book Description
The challenges faced by the atmospheric research community today are vast, complex, and multi-faceted. The book Urban Atmospheric Aerosols: Sources, Analysis, and Effects highlights important aspects concerning the chemical and optical properties, size distribution, sources, and potential health effects of fine urban air particles (PM2.5). The physical and chemical characterization of PM2.5, its source assignment, and the assessment of the magnitude and distribution of its emissions are crucial for establishing effective fine air particle regulations and assessing the associated risks to human health. This book brings together eight papers covering the main topics of the field and will be of interest to researchers who are interested in air quality in outdoor and indoor environments, air particle toxicity, and atmospheric chemistry, as well as global climate modelers.

Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Speciated Atmospheric Mercury in Southeastern Texas

Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Speciated Atmospheric Mercury in Southeastern Texas PDF Author: Azucena Rivera Torres
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Atmospheric physics
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the contribution of anthropogenic emissions to the levels of atmospheric mercury in both urban and coastal settings of southeastern Texas. Speciated atmospheric mercury measurements were obtained from the ideally located University of Houston Moody Tower and University of Houston Coastal Center from March 22, 2012- June 6, 2013 and July 26, 2013-June 6, 2013, respectively. The use of key tracer gases from various data sources as well as meteorological data from ground-based stationary monitoring facilities was used in the evaluation of high-mercury pollution plumes, the general direction of the source origin as well as seasonal and diurnal mixing ratios of the three atmospheric mercury species. At the costal site measurements showed consistently lower mixing ratios for all mercury species and had no significant mercury events recorded. The urban University of Houston Moody Tower had much higher and more dramatic fluctuations in mixing ratios for all three mercury species with two major mercury events recorded. Both events were associated with periods of low wind conditions and Houston Ship Channel origins. While the measurements collected at the urban location show consistencies with past studies conducted at the same location, the complexity of atmospheric mercury interactions prevent any indepth interpretations of the results.

Mercury in the Environment

Mercury in the Environment PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mercury
Languages : en
Pages : 4

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Mercury Fate and Transport in the Global Atmosphere

Mercury Fate and Transport in the Global Atmosphere PDF Author: Nicola Pirrone
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 038793958X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 636

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Book Description
Mercury, primarily because of its existence and bioaccumulation as methylmercury in aquatic organisms, is a concern for the health of higher trophic level organisms, or to their consumers. This is the major factor driving current research in mercury globally and in environmental regulation, and is the driver for the current UNEP Global Partnership for Mercury Transport and Fate Research (UNEP F&T) initiative. The overall focus of the UNEP F&T report is to assess the relative importance of different processes/mechanisms affecting the transfer of mercury (Hg) from emission sources to aquatic and terrestrial receptors and provide possible source-receptor relationships. This transfer occurs through atmospheric transport, chemical transformations and subsequent deposition, and involves the intermittent recycling between reservoirs that occurs prior to ultimate removal of Hg from the atmosphere. Understanding the sources, the global Hg transport and fate, and the impact of human activity on the biosphere, requires improved knowledge of Hg movement and transformation in the atmosphere. An improved understanding of Hg emission sources, fate and transport is important if there is to be a focused and concerted effort to set priorities and goals for Hg emission management and reduction at the national, regional and global levels; and to develop and implement such policies and strategies. To achieve this, a series of coordinated scientific endeavors focused on the estimation of sources, measurement and validation of concentrations and processes, and modeling, coupled with interpretation of the results within a policy framework, is likely to be required.

Atmospheric Mercury Deposition in an Urban Environment

Atmospheric Mercury Deposition in an Urban Environment PDF Author: Mark Fulkerson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Atmospheric deposition
Languages : en
Pages : 83

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Book Description
Atmospheric mercury deposition, known to be a major source of mercury to aquatic and terrestrial environments, was studied at an urban site in Orlando, FL. Precipitation sampling was conducted from September 2003 to May 2006 at a Mercury Deposition Network site located on the University of Central Florida campus. Weekly rainfall and mercury wet deposition data were gathered from this site, which provided the framework of data for this study. Historical mercury wet deposition data from several sites in Florida were used to develop a regression model to predict mercury deposition at any location in Florida. Stormwater runoff from a 2-acre impervious surface at this study area was monitored during the spring and summer of 2005. Runoff water quality was analyzed to characterize mercury dry deposition. Atmospheric monitoring was also conducted during this period to study the interaction of atmospheric constituents on wet and dry deposition patterns.