Assessing the Sources of Atmospheric Mercury Wet Deposited in Florida, USA

Abstract

From October 2008 through August 2010, event-based precipitation samples for mercury (Hg), trace elements, and major ions analysis were collected at six monitoring sites in Florida, USA. The objectives of these measurements were to quantify the levels of Hg wet deposition across the state, and to assess the contributions to Hg in precipitation from major local and regional emission sources in support of a Hg Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) project. The measurement sites were located in Pensacola, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Davie, and Everglades National Park. For the period April 2009 through August 2010, Hg wet deposition rates ranged from 26.8 to 38.7 μg/m2 across the six sites. We observed a strong seasonal pattern, with increases in measured Hg concentrations and Hg wet deposition occurring during the summer months, which was further pronounced at the southern sites. We also observed a clear overall spatial gradient in Hg wet deposition, increasing across sites from north to south.

Keywords

• Mercury
• trace elements
• wet deposition
• Florida
• TMDL