Source identification of total mercury (TM) wet deposition using a Lagrangian particle dispersion model (LPDM). (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seo, Yong-Seok; Han, Young-Ji; Holsen, Thomas M.; Choi, Eunhwa; Zoh, Kyung-Duk; Yi, Seung-Muk
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric environment. Volume 104(2015)
• Page Start: 102
• Page End: 111
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Total mercury -- Gaseous oxidized mercury -- Particulate bound mercury -- Lagrangian particle dispersion model -- Scavenging coefficient -- Joint-probability LPDM; Air -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Air -- Pollution -- Meteorological aspects -- Periodicals; 551.51
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.01.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-2310

Abstract

Abstract: Event-based precipitation samples for total mercury (TM) were collected with a modified MIC-B sampler concurrent with atmospheric gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and particulate bound mercury (PBM) concentrations in Seoul, Korea from January 2006 to December 2009 to: 1) determine the seasonal variations in TM wet deposition, 2) investigate contributions of GOM and PBM scavenging to mercury wet deposition, and 3) identify source areas contributing to the high TM wet deposition using a Lagrangian particle dispersion model (LPDM). The volume-weighted mean (VWM) TM concentration was highest in winter, while the wet deposition flux was highest in summer. Multiple linear regression showed that the scavenging coefficient (SC) for GOM was much higher than the SC for PBM indicating that GOM was more effectively scavenged by wet deposition than PBM. Joint-probability LPDM (JP-LPDM) indicated that the main sources of TM wet deposition were the industrial and coastal areas in China and Japan. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Total mercury (TM) in precipitation was collected with a modified MIC-B sampler. Atmospheric mercury species were also measured to identify their contribution to TM. Multiple linear regression revealed GOM was more effectively scavenged than was PBM. LPDM was used to identify the source area contributing to the high TM wet deposition. The industrial and coastal areas in China and Japan were identified as source areas.