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Baseline atmospheric mercury studies at Ross Island, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2004

S. J. de Mora
Affiliation:
Chemistry Department, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
J. E. Patterson
Affiliation:
Industrial Research Ltd., P. O. Box 31310, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
D. M. Bibby
Affiliation:
Industrial Research Ltd., P. O. Box 31310, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

Abstract

The first extended baseline studies of total gaseous mercury (TGM) and dimethylmercury (DMM) in Antarctica are reported. Mean TGM concentrations of 0.52, 0.60 and 0.52 ng m−3 were obtained for three consecutive years at the southern tip of Ross Island (77°S). The levels of DMM in Antarctica are less than 10% of the TGM, and frequently fall below the limit of detection. These results represent the lowest TGM concentrations recorded globally and extend into polar regions the observation of a decrease in atmospheric mercury concentration with increasing latitude.

Type
Papers—Atmospheric Sciences
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 1993

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