Comparison of two measurement methods of dissolved gaseous mercury concentrations and estimations of supersaturation grade and mercury fluxes during a research campaign at the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) concentrations and gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) concentrations were measured during an oceanographic campaign in the Mediterranean Sea. The DGM concentrations were measured using two different methods, a manual- and an automated method. The manual method was used to obtain DGM depth profiles at several stations throughout the campaign. The automated device measured DGM concentrations continuously at a depth of 4 m. Gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) concentrations in air were measured continuously at the bridge deck. The objectives were to achieve DGM depth profiles, compare the manual- and automated DGM measurement methods, to calculate the supersaturation grades of the sea and the evasional fluxes from the sea surface. Depth profiles of the four measured stations show no diurnal variations. The manual- and the automated method show good compliance. Supersaturation grades are high due to high DGM values and low GEM concentrations. Fluxes of Hg from the sea surface are more dependent on the wind speed than on the supersaturation grade according to the flux models used.

Keywords

• Mercury
• DGM
• GEM
• Supersaturation grades
• Mercury fluxes
• Mediterranean Sea