Article
Environmental Sciences
Danilo Custodio, Ralf Ebinghaus
Summary: This study presents a near-global evaluation of atmospheric mercury sources and their impacts on the atmospheric loadings. The results show that Asia is the main hotspot for total gaseous mercury (TGM), mainly loaded by industrial and SO2-related factors. The improved data analysis tools provide additional insights into the nature of the mercury source, guiding the development of more effective management strategies.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Saliou Mbengue, Petr Vodicka, Katerina Kominkova, Nadezda Zikova, Jaroslav Schwarz, Roman Prokes, Lenka Suchankova, Kajal Julaha, Jakub Ondracek, Ivan Holoubek, Vladimir Zdimal
Summary: To prevent the fast spread of COVID-19, restrictions were implemented worldwide, which resulted in reduced emissions from most sources. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on elemental and organic carbon at a rural background site in Europe using horizontal and vertical approaches. The findings showed that the lockdowns did not consistently lead to lower concentrations of carbonaceous fractions, but had different effects on EC and OC. EC was generally lower due to traffic restrictions, while OC increased possibly due to enhanced emissions from domestic heating and biomass burning. The vertical approach revealed a stronger influence of aged and long-distance transported aerosols during the lockdowns. This study highlights the importance of analyzing the vertical distribution of aerosols to better understand their characteristics and sources during periods of reduced human activities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Natalie Allen, Jan Gacnik, Sarrah M. Dunham-Cheatham, Mae Sexauer Gustin
Summary: Accurate measurement of atmospheric reactive mercury is challenging due to its reactivity and low concentrations. The University of Nevada, Reno Reactive Mercury Active System (RMAS) has been shown to be more accurate than the industry standard, but has limitations including long time resolution and sampling biases. Increasing the sampling flow rate negatively affected RM concentrations, but did not impact the chemical composition of RM captured on membranes.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pablo Giraldez, Rosa M. Crujeiras, J. aengel Fernandez, Jesus R. Aboal
Summary: This study proposes a probabilistic method based on a Gaussian mixture model to determine the distribution of regional background levels of different pollutants. The method was applied to a study in Galicia and yielded consistent results that were closely related to identified pollution sources.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Brock A. Edwards, Melissa A. Pfeffer, thorn Orsteinn Johannsson, Peter M. Outridge, Feiyue Wang
Summary: An inter-method comparison study of atmospheric Hg measurements at Icelandic volcanic systems found that the ACT and Lumex methods were suitable for gaseous Hg measurement in volcanic gas plumes. However, the PAS method yielded significantly lower concentrations.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Maja Nipen, Susanne Jontvedt Jorgensen, Pernilla Bohlin-Nizzetto, Katrine Borga, Knut Breivik, Aviti John Mmochi, Eliezer Brown Mwakalapa, M. Isabel Quant, Martin Schlabach, Rolf David Vogt, Frank Wania
Summary: This study used passive sampling techniques to investigate the spatial distribution of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) in and around Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city, and identified significant local sources of GEM within the urban area. Soil samples were also collected and analyzed for total mercury, showing low concentrations not correlated with atmospheric GEM levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katrina MacSween, Grant C. Edwards
Summary: This study investigated the impact of precipitation and soil moisture changes on mercury flux at a background site in southeastern Australia over a 14-month period. The Australian climate is unique and understudied, with highly variable rainfall in temperate regions. Results showed that mercury fluxes during rainfall were significantly higher than the overall study average, indicating a strong influence of rain on mercury release from the substrate. The study also found rapid recycling of mercury between soil and air during rainfall, with little evidence of enhanced mercury fluxes due to increased soil water content.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lucille Joanna Borlaza, Samuel Weber, Anouk Marsal, Gaelle Uzu, Veronique Jacob, Jean-Luc Besombes, Melodie Chatain, Sebastien Conil, Jean-Luc Jaffrezo
Summary: Long-term monitoring at a rural background site in France showed that secondary aerosols associated with long-range transport are the dominant sources of particulate pollution, while traffic, mineral dust, and biomass burning contribute significantly to the oxidative potential. The findings suggest the effectiveness of emission control policies.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ly Sy Phu Nguyen, Guey-Rong Sheu, Shuenn-Chin Chang, Neng-Huei Lin
Summary: Gas-particle partitioning of oxidized mercury in the atmosphere was studied at a mountain site in Taiwan, where temperature and relative humidity were found to strongly influence the partitioning. The study developed regression equations to improve understanding of the Hg biogeochemical cycle in the free troposphere downwind of continental East Asia.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shaonan Huang, Yunting Fang, Feifei Zhu, Emily M. Elliott, J. David Felix, Fan Wang, Shanlong Li, Dongwei Liu, Linlin Song, Zhengjie Li, Pingqing Fu, Shenglei Fu
Summary: The study found that atmospheric nitrate deposition has decreased due to China's Clean Air Action, with contributions from coal combustion and soil emission. Results showed that coal combustion, vehicle exhaust, biomass burning, and soil emission were the main sources of nitrate in precipitation, with the relative contribution of coal combustion not declining despite significant NOx reduction at the regional scale.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Helene Angot, Byron Blomquist, Dean Howard, Stephen Archer, Ludovic Bariteau, Ivo Beck, Matthew Boyer, Molly Crotwell, Detlev Helmig, Jacques Hueber, Hans-Werner Jacobi, Tuija Jokinen, Markku Kulmala, Xin Lan, Tiia Laurila, Monica Madronich, Donald Neff, Tuukka Petaja, Kevin Posman, Lauriane Quelever, Matthew D. Shupe, Isaac Vimont, Julia Schmale
Summary: This paper provides an overview of trace gas measurements conducted during the MOSAiC expedition and highlights the high quality of the monitoring activities. Merged datasets are recommended for further use by the scientific community.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jakob B. Pernov, Rossana Bossi, Thibaut Lebourgeois, Jacob K. Nojgaard, Rupert Holzinger, Jens L. Hjorth, Henrik Skov
Summary: This study presents a multi-season dataset of highly time-resolved VOC measurements in the High Arctic from April to October 2018. Analysis using measurement and modeling techniques reveals biomass burning, marine cryosphere, background, and Arctic haze as the main sources of VOCs in the region. The study provides insights into the seasonal characteristics and sources of VOCs, aiding in understanding atmospheric chemistry and biogeochemical feedback processes in the High Arctic.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shuyin Liu, Siyang Cheng, Jianzhong Ma, Xiaobin Xu, Jinguang Lv, Junli Jin, Junrang Guo, Dajiang Yu, Xin Dai
Summary: The vertical profiles of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and formaldehyde (HCHO) in the troposphere at the Longfengshan regional atmospheric background station were analyzed. NO2 concentrations were highest near the surface in the morning and evening, while HCHO had an elevated layer around 1.4 km consistently. NO2 concentrations were higher in cold months and lower in warm months, while HCHO showed the opposite pattern. Ozone production at the station was mainly in the NOx-limited regime. This study provides valuable insights into background atmospheric chemistry and regional ozone pollution processes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaowei Lei, Hairong Cheng, Jin Peng, Huimeng Jiang, Xiaopu Lyu, Pei Zeng, Zuwu Wang, Hai Guo
Summary: The study in central China found that short-lived VOCs had higher mixing ratios in summer while long-lived VOCs had higher mixing ratios in autumn. Observations and modeling showed that the increase in NOx levels led to a transition from a transition regime to a VOC-constrained regime for O-3 formation in autumn.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
A. Maghrabi, A. Alruhaili, S. Alzahrani, H. Alharbi, A. Almasoudi
Summary: In January 2007, a single-channel muon detector was installed at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for monitoring and studying the variations of cosmic ray muons. This article provides a brief description of the developed detector and discusses some preliminary results, including the impact of atmospheric pressure and temperature, daily variations, and responses to solar disturbances. The performance of the detector was compared with other detectors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Oulu, showing comparable results.
RADIATION MEASUREMENTS
(2023)