Gaseous elemental mercury depletion events observed at Cape Point during 2007–2008

Brunke, Ernst-Günther; Labuschagne, Casper; Ebinghaus, Ralf; Kock, H. H.; Šlemr, F.

doi:10.5194/acp-10-1121-2010

Cited by 62 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…On a long-term basis, the South African Weather Service and NOAA-ESRL have conducted observations of aerosol number concentrations and optical properties such as light scattering and absorption as part of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program at the station in Cape Point (e.g. Brunke et al, 2010). However, at the time of writing, no publications on the aerosol measurements at Cape Point were available.…”

Section: Laakso Et Al: South African Eucaari Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

South African EUCAARI measurements: seasonal variation of trace gases and aerosol optical properties

et al. 2012

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Abstract. In this paper we introduce new in situ observations of atmospheric aerosols, especially chemical composition, physical and optical properties, on the eastern brink of the heavily polluted Highveld area in South Africa. During the observation period between 11 February 2009 and 31 January 2011, the mean particle number concentration (size range 10-840 nm) was 6310 cm −3 and the estimated volume of sub-10 µm particles 9.3 µm 3 m −3 . The aerosol absorption and scattering coefficients at 637 nm were 8.3 Mm −1 and 49.5 Mm −1 , respectively. The mean single-scattering albedo at 637 nm was 0.84 and theÅngström exponent of scattering was 1.5 over the wavelength range 450-635 nm. The mean O 3 , SO 2 , NO x and H 2 S-concentrations were 37.1, 11.5, 15.1 and 3.2 ppb, respectively. The observed range of concentrations was large and attributed to the seasonal variation of sources and regional meteorological effects, especially the anticyclonic re-circulation and strong winter-time inversions. In a global context, the levels of gases and particulates were typical for continental sites with strong anthropogenic influence, but clearly lower than the most polluted areas of southeastern Asia. Of all pollutants observed at the site, ozone is the most likely to have adverse environmental effects, as the concentrations were high also during the growing season. The measurements presented here will help to close existing gaps in the ground-based global atmosphere observation system, since very little long-term data of this nature is available for southern Africa.

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Section: Laakso Et Al: South African Eucaari Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

South African EUCAARI measurements: seasonal variation of trace gases and aerosol optical properties

et al. 2012

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“…20-22 45 AMDEs resulting from oxidation by bromine have also been observed in the Dead Sea region 23 whilst AMDEs at Cape Point, South Africa are not bromine related. 24 PBM is formed from the adsorption of GEM or GOM on to particles, which can be emitted directly from point sources, or can form in the atmosphere 25 and has an atmospheric lifetime similar to GOM, with loss mechanisms of wet and dry deposition. 12,26,27 …”

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confidence: 99%

Patterns and source analysis for atmospheric mercury at Auchencorth Moss, Scotland

Kentisbeer

Leeson

Malcolm

et al. 2014

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts

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“…In the SH the only continuous measurements are at Cape Point, South Africa (e.g. Slemr et al, 2008;Brunke et al, 2010) and Antarctica (Pfaffhuber et al, 2011). The most severe lack of measurement sites exists in the tropics, a region where several potentially important exchange processes are taking place.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sources of atmospheric mercury in the tropics: continuous observations at a coastal site in Suriname

et al. 2012

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Abstract. Mercury measurements at a coastal site in Nieuw Nickerie (5 • 56 N, 56 • 59 W), Suriname, provide the only continuous records of atmospheric mercury in the tropics. Here we evaluate observations of total gaseous mercury (TGM) during 2007. Nieuw Nickerie typically samples marine air from the Atlantic Ocean, with occasional influence from continental South America. Over the year, average concentrations are 1.40 ng m −3 . As the intertropical convergence zone passes over Suriname twice each year, the site samples both northern and southern hemispheric air masses. We use back trajectories to classify each measurement by hemisphere, as well as continental or ocean. For air passing over ocean before sampling, TGM concentrations are 10 % higher in air coming from the Northern Hemisphere (1.45 ng m −3 ) than from the Southern Hemisphere (1.32 ng m −3 ). Air from the South American continent also carries higher TGM (1.43 ng m −3 ) than air from the South Atlantic Ocean, with most of these trajectories occurring in August and September. Biomass burning in Brazil peaks in the same months and likely contributes significantly to elevated concentrations seen in Nickerie. We also compare the observed seasonal cycle to two atmospheric mercury chemistry and transport models (GRAHM and GEOS-Chem). Both models simulate transition between northern and southern hemispheric air, thus capturing the seasonal cycle; however the models overestimate the TGM concentrations during months when Nickerie samples Northern Hemisphere air. It is difficult to determine whether the models' sources or sinks in the Northern Hemisphere tropics are responsible.

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Gaseous elemental mercury depletion events observed at Cape Point during 2007–2008

Cited by 62 publications

References 44 publications

South African EUCAARI measurements: seasonal variation of trace gases and aerosol optical properties

South African EUCAARI measurements: seasonal variation of trace gases and aerosol optical properties

Patterns and source analysis for atmospheric mercury at Auchencorth Moss, Scotland

Sources of atmospheric mercury in the tropics: continuous observations at a coastal site in Suriname

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