Magnification of atmospheric mercury deposition to polar regions in springtime: The link to tropospheric ozone depletion chemistry

Abstract

Mercury—in the chemical/physical forms present in the biosphere—is a persistent, toxic, bioaccumulative pollutant that is dispersed throughout the environment on a global scale, mainly via the atmosphere. It is among the “heavy metals” for which the natural biogeochemical cycle has been perturbed by a wide range of human activities, including fossil‐fuel combustion and waste incineration. Results of our recent measurements of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), as well as total particulate‐phase mercury (TPM) concentrations in Arctic air, ‘total Hg’ concentrations in Arctic snow, and tropospheric BrO concentrations from an earth‐orbiting‐satellite platform are presented and discussed. Findings of our research, and the conclusions derived therefrom, are important for environmental protection as well as the health and well‐being of aboriginal people in Arctic circumpolar nations.