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Patterns of Mercury Deposition and Concentration in Northeastern North America (1996–2002)

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Abstract

Data from 13 National Atmospheric Deposition Program Mercury Monitor Network (NADP/MDN) monitoring stations (1996–2002) and the Underhill (VT) event-based monitoring site (1993–2002) were evaluated for spatial and temporal trends. More precipitation and mercury deposition occurred in the southern and coastal MDN sites, except for the Underhill site, which received more mercury deposition than surrounding sites. Precipitation patterns varied. Regionally, higher concentrations of mercury were recorded during the late spring and summer months. Several sub-regional clusters of MDN sites were evident, based on mercury deposition patterns. In general, more mercury was deposited during the summer months. “Enhanced” weekly deposition (>250 ng/m2) and distinct seasonal deposition patterns were evident at all MDN sites. Regionally, high depositional periods contributed significantly to annual loads (<20%–~60%). Southern and coastal sites measured more frequent periods of high deposition than inland sites. Spring and summer “enhanced” deposition may be important contributing factors to mercury bioaccumulation during the growing season. Recent regional reductions of mercury emissions were not reflected in the regional mercury concentration or deposition data. Few sites showed linear relations between the concentration of mercury in precipitation and acid rain co-contaminants (sulfates and nitrates).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. US EPA, 11 Technology Drive, N. Chelmsford, Massachusetts, 01863, USA

    Alan VanArsdale

  2. US EPA, One Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02203, USA

    Jeri Weiss

  3. Air Quality Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA

    Gerald Keeler

  4. Ecosystems Research Group Ltd., Norwich, Vermont, 05055, USA

    Eric Miller

  5. Ministère de l’environment du Québec, Québec, (Québec), Canada

    Gille Boulet & Raynald Brulotte

  6. Environment Canada, Meteorological Service of Canada, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Laurier Poissant

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  1. Alan VanArsdale
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  2. Jeri Weiss
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  3. Gerald Keeler
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  4. Eric Miller
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  5. Gille Boulet
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  6. Raynald Brulotte
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  7. Laurier Poissant
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Correspondence to Alan VanArsdale.

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VanArsdale, A., Weiss, J., Keeler, G. et al. Patterns of Mercury Deposition and Concentration in Northeastern North America (1996–2002). Ecotoxicology 14, 37–52 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-004-6258-x

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