1
|
Gustin MS, Dunham-Cheatham SM, Lyman S, Horvat M, Gay DA, Gačnik J, Gratz L, Kempkes G, Khalizov A, Lin CJ, Lindberg SE, Lown L, Martin L, Mason RP, MacSween K, Vijayakumaran Nair S, Nguyen LSP, O'Neil T, Sommar J, Weiss-Penzias P, Zhang L, Živković I. Measurement of Atmospheric Mercury: Current Limitations and Suggestions for Paths Forward. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:12853-12864. [PMID: 38982755 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c06011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) researchers have made progress in understanding atmospheric Hg, especially with respect to oxidized Hg (HgII) that can represent 2 to 20% of Hg in the atmosphere. Knowledge developed over the past ∼10 years has pointed to existing challenges with current methods for measuring atmospheric Hg concentrations and the chemical composition of HgII compounds. Because of these challenges, atmospheric Hg experts met to discuss limitations of current methods and paths to overcome them considering ongoing research. Major conclusions included that current methods to measure gaseous oxidized and particulate-bound Hg have limitations, and new methods need to be developed to make these measurements more accurate. Developing analytical methods for measurement of HgII chemistry is challenging. While the ultimate goal is the development of ultrasensitive methods for online detection of HgII directly from ambient air, in the meantime, new surfaces are needed on which HgII can be quantitatively collected and from which it can be reversibly desorbed to determine HgII chemistry. Discussion and identification of current limitations, described here, provide a basis for paths forward. Since the atmosphere is the means by which Hg is globally distributed, accurately calibrated measurements are critical to understanding the Hg biogeochemical cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mae Sexauer Gustin
- College of Biotechnology, Natural Resources & Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
| | - Sarrah M Dunham-Cheatham
- College of Biotechnology, Natural Resources & Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
| | - Seth Lyman
- Bingham Research Center, Utah State University, Vernal, Utah 84078, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - David A Gay
- Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7996, United States
| | - Jan Gačnik
- College of Biotechnology, Natural Resources & Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
| | - Lynne Gratz
- Chemistry Department and Environmental Studies Program, Reed College, Portland, Oregon 97202, United States
| | | | - Alexei Khalizov
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Che-Jen Lin
- Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas 77710, United States
| | - Steven E Lindberg
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Livia Lown
- College of Biotechnology, Natural Resources & Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
| | - Lynwill Martin
- South Africa Weather Service, Cape Town 7525, South Africa
| | - Robert Peter Mason
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Katrina MacSween
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Sreekanth Vijayakumaran Nair
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Ly Sy Phu Nguyen
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000,Vietnam
| | - Trevor O'Neil
- Bingham Research Center, Utah State University, Vernal, Utah 84078, United States
| | - Jonas Sommar
- Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550009, China
| | - Peter Weiss-Penzias
- University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Igor Živković
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Warrier AK, Kulkarni B, Amrutha K, Jayaram D, Valsan G, Agarwal P. Seasonal variations in the abundance and distribution of microplastic particles in the surface waters of a Southern Indian Lake. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 300:134556. [PMID: 35429497 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Hazardous anthropogenic particles, such as microplastics (MPs) in the lake ecosystems, are a serious concern. In this work, we have investigated the seasonal occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the surface water samples of Lake Manipal in southwest India. The concentration of MPs was found to be higher during the monsoon season (0.423 particles/L) in comparison with the post-monsoon (0.117 particles/L) period. The higher abundance is attributed to the input of storm-water sewers connected to the lake as well as surface runoff during periods of high rainfall. The concentrations of small-sized (0.3-1 mm) microplastics were greater in both seasons. Approximately 96% of the microplastics were fibres, followed by smaller amounts of fragments, pellets, films, and foams. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the principal polymer composition of the microplastics, followed by cellulose. The PET and cellulose fibres were mainly derived from the laundering of clothes in the residential colonies and hostels situated close to the lake. The storm-water sewers were the likely conduit for these PET fibres into the lake. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) data reveals that pollution due to microplastics in Lake Manipal falls within the Level I risk category. The PLI was higher during the monsoon season due to an increased flux of these particles from the nearby region. During the post-monsoon period, the PLI values decreased, suggesting that MPs in the water column may have settled and mixed with the sediments. The baseline data generated in this study is important as different types of birds, amphibians, and other microorganisms are present in the environment of Lake Manipal. We also propose certain policy measures that can be adopted by the regional population to mitigate microplastic pollution in the lake and its vicinity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anish Kumar Warrier
- Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India; Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India.
| | - Bhavani Kulkarni
- Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - K Amrutha
- Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Dhanasree Jayaram
- Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India; Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Gokul Valsan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Prashansa Agarwal
- Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ruangpanupan N, Ussawarujikulchai A, Prapagdee B, Chavanich S. Microplastics in the surface seawater of Bandon Bay, Gulf of Thailand. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 179:113664. [PMID: 35490488 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the microplastics abundance, composition and distribution in Bandon Bay's surface seawater, in southern Thailand. Samples of microplastics were collected from 48 transects using a surface manta trawl at four different estuaries that support human activities. The results showed that the highest microplastic abundance occurred in the fishery and aquaculture areas with a mean abundance of 0.33 particles/m3. Fragments were the dominant form at all stations. Microplastics with <1 mm were the dominant size, and white was the colour most found in all stations. Polypropylene was the major type of microplastic, accounting for 57% overall. This study is an important reference for understanding the microplastics status in the surface seawater of Bandon Bay, as it will allow relevant agencies to accurately assess the pollution level of microplastics in the bay. It is of practical significance to understand the sources and sinks of microplastics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natenapa Ruangpanupan
- Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Achara Ussawarujikulchai
- Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand.
| | - Benjaphorn Prapagdee
- Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Suchana Chavanich
- Reef Biology Research Group, Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mao N, Antley J, Cooper M, Shah N, Kadam A, Khalizov A. Heterogeneous Chemistry of Mercuric Chloride on Inorganic Salt Surfaces. J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:3943-3952. [PMID: 33914544 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c02220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) is a major chemical form responsible for deposition of atmospheric mercury, but its interaction with environmental surfaces is not well understood. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the uptake of gaseous HgCl2, used as a GOM surrogate, by several inorganic salts representative of marine and urban aerosols. The process was studied in a fast flow reactor coupled to an ion drift-chemical ionization mass spectrometer, where gaseous HgCl2 was quantitatively detected as HgCl2·NO3-. Uptake curves showed a common behavior, where upon exposure of the salt surface to HgCl2, the gas-phase concentration of the latter dropped rapidly and then recovered gradually. None of the salts produced a full recovery of HgCl2, indicating the presence of an irreversible chemical reaction in addition to reversible adsorption, and all salts showed reactive behavior consistent with the presence of surface sites of a high and a low reactivity. On the basis of the decrease in the uptake coefficient with increasing concentration of gaseous HgCl2, we conclude that the interaction follows the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. The reactivity of a deactivated salt surface after uptake could be partially restored by cycling through an elevated relative humidity at atmospheric pressure. The overall surface reactivity decreased in the series Na2SO4 > NaCl > (NH4)2SO4 > NH4NO3. The uptake on NH4NO3 was nearly fully reversible, with low values of the initial (0.4 × 10-2) and steady-state (3.3 × 10-4) uptake coefficients, whereas Na2SO4 was significantly more reactive (3.1 × 10-2 and 1.7 × 10-3). Depending on the aerosol loading, the lifetimes of gaseous HgCl2 on dry urban and marine particles (as pure (NH4)2SO4 and NaCl, respectively) were estimated to range from half an hour to about a day.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Na Mao
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - John Antley
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Matthew Cooper
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States.,Department of Physics, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Neil Shah
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Anuradha Kadam
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States.,New Jersey School of Architecture, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Alexei Khalizov
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States.,Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang G, Lu J, Li W, Ning J, Zhou L, Tong Y, Liu Z, Zhou H, Xiayihazi N. Seasonal variation and risk assessment of microplastics in surface water of the Manas River Basin, China. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111477. [PMID: 33091771 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquity of microplastics in the environment has caused great influence to ecosystems and seriously threatened human health. To better understand the variation in microplastics in different seasons in an inland freshwater environment and determine the sources of microplastic pollution and its migration features, this study investigated the characteristics of microplastic pollution during dry (April) and wet (July) seasons in surface water of the Manas River Basin, China. The size, color, shape, area distribution and compound composition of microplastics were studied. Moreover, the risk of microplastic contamination was explored based on risk assessment models. The results demonstrated that the degree of pollution caused by microplastic abundance was minor in this study area. The average abundance of microplastics in April (17 ± 4 items/L) was higher than that in July (14 ± 2 items/L). The range in the abundance of microplastics in April and July were 22 ± 5-14 ± 3 items/L and 19 ± 2-10 ± 1 items/L, respectively. Highly hazardous polymers such as Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Polycarbonate (PC) have a significant impact on the results of the evaluation of the presence of microplastics. This study is an important reference for understanding the characteristics of the seasonal variation in microplastics in inland freshwater environments and has practical significance, as it will allow relevant agencies to accurately assess the pollution level of microplastics in different seasons. It is of practical significance to understand the sources and sinks of microplastics in inland freshwater environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaoliang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
| | - Jianjiang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China.
| | - Wanjie Li
- Environmental Monitoring Station of the First Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alaer 843300, China
| | - Jianying Ning
- The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832002, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
| | - Yanbin Tong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
| | - Zilong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
| | - Hongjuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
| | - Nuerguli Xiayihazi
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Miller MB, Howard DA, Pierce AM, Cook KR, Keywood M, Powell J, Gustin MS, Edwards GC. Atmospheric reactive mercury concentrations in coastal Australia and the Southern Ocean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 751:141681. [PMID: 32861947 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), especially reactive Hg (RM), data from the Southern Hemisphere (SH) are limited. In this study, long-term measurements of both gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) and RM were made at two ground-based monitoring locations in Australia, the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station (CGBAPS) in Tasmania, and the Macquarie University Automatic Weather Station (MQAWS) in Sydney, New South Wales. Measurements were also made on board the Australian RV Investigator (RVI) during an ocean research voyage to the East Antarctic coast. GEM was measured using the standard Tekran® 2537 series analytical platform, and RM was measured using cation exchange membranes (CEM) in a filter-based sampling method. Overall mean RM concentrations at CGBAPS and MQAWS were 15.9 ± 6.7 pg m-3 and 17.8 ± 6.6 pg m-3, respectively. For the 10-week austral summer period on RVI, mean RM was 23.5 ± 6.7 pg m-3. RM concentrations at CGBAPS were seasonally invariable, while those at MQAWS were significantly different between summer and winter due to seasonal changes in synoptic wind patterns. During the RVI voyage, RM concentrations were relatively enhanced along the Antarctic coast (up to 30 pg m-3) and GEM concentrations were variable (0.2 to 0.9 ng m-3), suggesting periods of enrichment and depletion. Both RM and GEM concentrations were relatively lower while transiting the Southern Ocean farther north of Antarctica. RM concentrations measured in this study were higher in comparison to most other reported measurements of RM in the global marine boundary layer (MBL), especially for remote SH locations. As observations of GEM and RM concentrations inform global ocean-atmosphere model simulations of the atmospheric Hg budget, our results have important implications for understanding of total atmospheric Hg (TAM).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu B Miller
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2113, Australia.
| | - Dean A Howard
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, United States
| | - Ashley M Pierce
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Kellie R Cook
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Melita Keywood
- Centre for Australian Climate and Weather Research, Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennifer Powell
- Centre for Australian Climate and Weather Research, Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mae S Gustin
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, United States
| | - Grant C Edwards
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2113, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang C, Wang Z, Zhang X. Characteristics of mercury speciation in seawater and emission flux of gaseous mercury in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 182:109092. [PMID: 32069770 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.109092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Four cruises were performed in the Bohai Sea (BS) and Yellow Sea (YS) to ascertain the levels and distributions of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM), methylmercury (MeHg), and total mercury (THg) during 2012 and 2014. Their concentrations and Hg0 flux exhibited clear spatial-temporal distributions. The GEM level over the BS in spring (2.71 ± 0.49 ng m-3) was significantly higher than that in fall (1.98 ± 0.91 ng m-3). Air masses with elevated GEM mainly originated from northern China. During the two cruises in 2012 over the BS, the mean DGM concentration in spring (35.7 ± 4.6 pg l-1) was comparable to that in fall (32.4 ± 4.6 pg l-1). During the spring cruise of 2014, the mean DGM concentration in the BS (52.8 ± 12.5 pg l-1) was comparable to that in the YS (52.4 ± 14.1 pg l-1), while during the fall cruise of 2014, it was significantly lower in the BS (26.7 ± 14.4 pg l-1) than in the YS (57.2 ± 17.9 pg l-1). DGM represents a small portion of unfiltered THg in the BS (3.95%) and YS (5.12%). The MeHg and MeHg% values were higher in nearshore areas than in open sea, indicating higher productivity in coastal regions. The Hg0 flux in the YS (4.56 ng m-2 h-1) was about twice that in the BS. The annual emission Hg0 fluxes from the BS and YS were 2.71 and 23.68 tons yr-1, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunjie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Zhangwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Xiaoshan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Beijing, 100085, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kalinchuk V, Aksentov K, Karnaukh V. Gaseous elemental mercury (Hg(0)) in the surface air over the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Kuril-Kamchatka sector of the Pacific Ocean in August-September 2017. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 224:668-679. [PMID: 30849628 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.02.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The northwestern Pacific Ocean including the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk is one of the least studied regions in terms of mercury behavior and distribution in the sea-atmosphere system. In August and September 2017, we determined gaseous elemental mercury (Hg(0)) in the surface air over this water areas along a 12,000 km cruise. Concentrations varied from 1.07 to 2.74 ng m-3, with an average value of 1,68 ± 0.23 ng m-3 (N = 1853). The average concentrations for the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Kuril-Kamchatka sector of the Pacific Ocean were 1.61 ng m-3, 1.71 ng m-3 and 1.61 ng m-3, respectively. The maximum concentrations were observed in the Sea of Okhotsk during periods when air masses arrived from the southern and central Kuril Islands. We believe that the reason for that was volcanic activity. The minimum concentrations were registered in air masses arriving from the northeastern Russia and from open sea areas. In the Sea of Okhotsk we measured Hg(0) concentrations near the cyclone eye and did not register any increase due to increased turbulence. This fact contradicts the previously expressed hypothesis that a strong turbulence above the sea surface causes enhanced Hg(0) concentrations in the air. Apparently there are additional or completely different influencing factors which could provide such increase. Also we found that the diurnal Hg(0) cycle in the Sea of Japan was the opposite of the diurnal Hg(0) cycle in the Sea of Okhotsk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Kalinchuk
- V.I.Il`ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute of Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 43, Baltiyskaya Street, Vladivostok, 690041, Russia.
| | - Kirill Aksentov
- V.I.Il`ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute of Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 43, Baltiyskaya Street, Vladivostok, 690041, Russia
| | - Viktor Karnaukh
- V.I.Il`ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute of Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 43, Baltiyskaya Street, Vladivostok, 690041, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu C, Fu X, Zhang H, Ming L, Xu H, Zhang L, Feng X. Sources and outflows of atmospheric mercury at Mt. Changbai, northeastern China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 663:275-284. [PMID: 30711594 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), particulate bound mercury (PBM), and gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) were continuously measured at a remote site in northeastern China from July 2013 to July 2014. Mean (±1SD) concentrations of the hourly data of GEM, PBM, and GOM were 1.68 ± 0.47 ng m-3, 16.6 ± 15.2 pg m-3, and 5.4 ± 6.4 pg m-3, respectively. Concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis suggested that the potential source regions of GEM and GOM observed at this site were northern and eastern China. GEM and GOM CWT values significantly correlated with anthropogenic Hg emissions, suggesting that long-range transport of anthropogenic Hg emissions played an important role in GEM and GOM pollutions in remote areas of northeastern China. On the other hand, long-range transport of anthropogenic PBM emissions from eastern and northeastern China combined with large-scale biomass burning in Northeast Asia likely dominated PBM pollution. Principal component analysis (PCA) results, making use of the combined data sets of speciated atmospheric Hg, trace elements, and meteorological parameters, suggested that coal combustion and non-ferrous metal smelting contributed significantly to all the Hg species at this site, while the other anthropogenic sources in China also had a major impact on GEM. Forward air mass trajectory analysis revealed that outflows of GEM from northeastern China may have a potential impact on GEM pollutions in remote and oceanic areas in Northeast Asia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Xuewu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China.
| | - Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Lili Ming
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Hao Xu
- Open Research Station of Changbai Mountain Forest Ecosystems, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yanbian 133613, China
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Xu P, Peng G, Su L, Gao Y, Gao L, Li D. Microplastic risk assessment in surface waters: A case study in the Changjiang Estuary, China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 133:647-654. [PMID: 30041360 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development of plastic industry has resulted in a series of environmental problems caused by microplastics originating from larger plastics. Microplastic pollution risk in surface waters of the Changjiang Estuary was explored based on risk assessment models. The average microplastic concentration was 23.1 ± 18.2 n/100 L. Shape, size, color and composition types of microplastics were examined. The risk assessment models were developed using data on both the concentration and chemical hazard of microplastic polymers. Assessment results indicated that polyvinyl chloride exhibited a critical concern for microplastic risk. Areas around aquaculture farms were regarded as "hotspots" of microplastic pollution due to the accumulation of microplastics and the presence of hazardous microplastic. This risk assessment of microplastics bridged gaps in understanding between field research and policy-making for surface waters. This research provides baseline data for assessing the environmental risk of microplastics in this growing area of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China
| | - Guyu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China
| | - Yongqiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China
| | - Daoji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Weiss-Penzias P, Sorooshian A, Coale K, Heim W, Crosbie E, Dadashazar H, MacDonald AB, Wang Z, Jonsson H. Aircraft Measurements of Total Mercury and Monomethyl Mercury in Summertime Marine Stratus Cloudwater from Coastal California, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:2527-2537. [PMID: 29401398 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Water samples from marine stratus clouds were collected during 16 aircraft flights above the Pacific Ocean near the Central California coast during the summer of 2016. These samples were analyzed for total mercury (THg), monomethyl mercury (MMHg), and 32 other chemical species in addition to aerosol physical parameters. The mean concentrations of THg and MMHg in the cloudwater samples were 9.2 ± 6.0 ng L-1 (2.3-33.8 ng L-1) ( N = 97) and 0.87 ± 0.66 ng L-1 (0.17-2.9 ng L-1) ( N = 22), respectively. This corresponds to 9.5% (3-21%) MMHg as a fraction of THg. Low and high nonsea salt calcium ion (nss-Ca2+) concentrations in cloudwater were used to classify flights as "marine" and "continental", respectively. Mean [MMHg]marine was significantly higher ( p < 0.05) than [MMHg]continental consistent with an ocean source of dimethyl Hg (DMHg) to the atmosphere. Mean THg in cloudwater was not significantly different between the two categories, indicating multiple emissions sources. Mean [THg]continental was correlated with pH, CO, NO3-, NH4+, and other trace metals, whereas [THg]marine was correlated with MMHg and Na+. THg concentrations were negatively correlated with altitude, consistent with ocean and land emissions, coupled with removal at the cloud-top due to drizzle formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Weiss-Penzias
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology , University of California at Santa Cruz , Santa Cruz , California 95064 , United States
| | - Armin Sorooshian
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721 , United States
- Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721 , United States
| | - Kenneth Coale
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories , Moss Landing , California 95039 , United States
| | - Wesley Heim
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories , Moss Landing , California 95039 , United States
| | - Ewan Crosbie
- NASA Langley Research Center , Hampton , Virginia 23666 , United States
| | - Hossein Dadashazar
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721 , United States
| | - Alexander B MacDonald
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721 , United States
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721 , United States
| | - Haflidi Jonsson
- Naval Postgraduate School , Monterey , California 93943 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Okpala COR, Sardo G, Vitale S, Bono G, Arukwe A. Hazardous properties and toxicological update of mercury: From fish food to human health safety perspective. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2017; 58:1986-2001. [PMID: 28394636 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2017.1291491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The mercury (Hg) poisoning of Minamata Bay of Japan widely activated a global attention to Hg toxicity and its potential consequences to the aquatic ecosystem and human health. This has resulted to an increased need for a dynamic assembly, contextualization, and quantification of both the current state-of-the-art and approaches for understanding the cause-and-effect relationships of Hg exposure. Thus, the objective of this present review is to provide both hazardous toxic properties and toxicological update of Hg, focusing on how it ultimately affects the aquatic biota to potentially produce human health effects. Primarily, we discussed processes that relate to Hg exposure, including immunological aspects and risk assessment, vulnerability, toxicokinetics, and toxicodynamics, using edible fish, swordfish (Xiphias gladius), as a model. In addition, we summarized available information about Hg concentration limits set by different governmental agencies, as recognized by national and international standardization authorities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles Odilichukwu R Okpala
- a Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IAMC-CNR) , Mazara del Vallo , Italy
| | - Giacomo Sardo
- a Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IAMC-CNR) , Mazara del Vallo , Italy
| | - Sergio Vitale
- a Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IAMC-CNR) , Mazara del Vallo , Italy
| | - Gioacchino Bono
- a Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IAMC-CNR) , Mazara del Vallo , Italy
| | - Augustine Arukwe
- b Department of Biology , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , Trondheim , Norway
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mason RP, Choi AL, Fitzgerald WF, Hammerschmidt CR, Lamborg CH, Soerensen AL, Sunderland EM. Mercury biogeochemical cycling in the ocean and policy implications. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2012; 119:101-17. [PMID: 22559948 PMCID: PMC3427470 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2012.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 269] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Revised: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2012] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities have enriched mercury in the biosphere by at least a factor of three, leading to increases in total mercury (Hg) in the surface ocean. However, the impacts on ocean fish and associated trends in human exposure as a result of such changes are less clear. Here we review our understanding of global mass budgets for both inorganic and methylated Hg species in ocean seawater. We consider external inputs from atmospheric deposition and rivers as well as internal production of monomethylmercury (CH₃Hg) and dimethylmercury ((CH₃)₂Hg). Impacts of large-scale ocean circulation and vertical transport processes on Hg distribution throughout the water column and how this influences bioaccumulation into ocean food chains are also discussed. Our analysis suggests that while atmospheric deposition is the main source of inorganic Hg to open ocean systems, most of the CH₃Hg accumulating in ocean fish is derived from in situ production within the upper waters (<1000 m). An analysis of the available data suggests that concentrations in the various ocean basins are changing at different rates due to differences in atmospheric loading and that the deeper waters of the oceans are responding slowly to changes in atmospheric Hg inputs. Most biological exposures occur in the upper ocean and therefore should respond over years to decades to changes in atmospheric mercury inputs achieved by regulatory control strategies. Migratory pelagic fish such as tuna and swordfish are an important component of CH₃Hg exposure for many human populations and therefore any reduction in anthropogenic releases of Hg and associated deposition to the ocean will result in a decline in human exposure and risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Mason
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, 1080 Shennecossett Road, Groton, CT 06340, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Engle MA, Tate MT, Krabbenhoft DP, Schauer JJ, Kolker A, Shanley JB, Bothner MH. Comparison of atmospheric mercury speciation and deposition at nine sites across central and eastern North America. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1029/2010jd014064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
15
|
Weiss-Penzias P, Gustin MS, Lyman SN. Observations of speciated atmospheric mercury at three sites in Nevada: Evidence for a free tropospheric source of reactive gaseous mercury. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1029/2008jd011607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
16
|
Evers DC, Mason RP, Kamman NC, Chen CY, Bogomolni AL, Taylor DL, Hammerschmidt CR, Jones SH, Burgess NM, Munney K, Parsons KC. Integrated mercury monitoring program for temperate estuarine and marine ecosystems on the North American Atlantic coast. ECOHEALTH 2008; 5:426-41. [PMID: 19294469 PMCID: PMC2693407 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-008-0205-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2008] [Accepted: 10/21/2008] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
During the past century, anthropogenic activities have altered the distribution of mercury (Hg) on the earth's surface. The impacts of such alterations to the natural cycle of Hg can be minimized through coordinated management, policy decisions, and legislative regulations. An ability to quantitatively measure environmental Hg loadings and spatiotemporal trends of their fate in the environment is critical for science-based decision making. Here, we outline a Hg monitoring program for temperate estuarine and marine ecosystems on the Atlantic Coast of North America. This framework follows a similar, previously developed plan for freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems in the U.S. Methylmercury (MeHg) is the toxicologically relevant form of Hg, and its ability to bioaccumulate in organisms and biomagnify in food webs depends on numerous biological and physicochemical factors that affect its production, transport, and fate. Therefore, multiple indicators are needed to fully characterize potential changes of Hg loadings in the environment and MeHg bioaccumulation through the different marine food webs. In addition to a description of how to monitor environmental Hg loads for air, sediment, and water, we outline a species-specific matrix of biotic indicators that include shellfish and other invertebrates, fish, birds and mammals. Such a Hg monitoring template is applicable to coastal areas across the Northern Hemisphere and is transferable to arctic and tropical marine ecosystems. We believe that a comprehensive approach provides an ability to best detect spatiotemporal Hg trends for both human and ecological health, and concurrently identify food webs and species at greatest risk to MeHg toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David C Evers
- BioDiversity Research Institute, 19 Flaggy Meadow Road, Gorham, ME 04038, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|