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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 ,
J. E. Patterson  and
D. M. Bibby
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
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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.

Keywords

Antarcticaatmospheremercurybaselinespeciation
Type
Papers—Atmospheric Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 5 , Issue 3 , September 1993 , pp. 323 - 326
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 1993

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