Atmospheric mercury in the Great Smoky Mountains compared to regional and global levels

摘要: Abstract Improvements in measurement technology are permitting development of a more detailed scientific understanding the cycling mercury global atmospheric environment. Critical to advancing state knowledge is acquisition accurate speciated (gaseous and particulate) at ground research stations variety settings located around globe. This paper describes one such effort conducted TVA's Look Rock air quality monitoring site Tennessee—a mountain top (813 m elevation) just west Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Park largest eastern US it receives environmental protection under statutes. Gaseous particle species along with some additional trace gases were measured during two field studies totaling 84 days spring summer 2004. Average results for entire sampling period are: gaseous elemental Hg(0): 1.65 ng m−3, reactive RGM: 0.005 ng m−3, particulate Hg(p): 0.007 ng m−3. Literature review indicates that these levels within range found other rural/remote sites North America worldwide. Reactive comprised together less than 1%, on average, total airborne Rock. When compared background literature, measurements demonstrate vicinity clearly dominated by pool, not local or regional sources.