Characterization of mercury concentrations in snow and potential sources, Shanghai, China

This work focused on quantifying the total mercury (HgT) and major ion concentrations in snow samples to understand the importance of this pathway and sources of Hg deposited in Shanghai, China. Rare snow event samples were collected at 26 sites within the city of Shanghai on February 18, 2006, January 27, 2008 and January 20, 2011. The sites were distributed among four main functional area types (i.e., industrial impacted, residential impacted, traffic impacted sites and sites in the city center). Concentrations of HgT and major soluble ions, and pH values were determined for each site. Mean HgT concentrations for all sites were 78 ± 52 ng L− 1, 277 ± 184 ng L− 1, 189 ± 123 ng L− 1 in 2006, 2008 and 2011, respectively. Values were higher in Shanghai than observed in other cities including Beijing which has a smaller population and is less industrial. Principle component analysis (PCA) indicated that secondary aerosols (SO42 −, NO3− and NH4+), and biomass combustion (K+, CH3COO−, and HCOO−) were best related to mercury concentrations in the snow in 2008 and 2011. Although HYSPLIT back trajectory modeling indicated air mass transport from areas with significant coal combustion, results indicate that anthropogenic pollution from within Shanghai was the predominant source of Hg in snow.

► HgT and major ions were measured in rare snow events in Shanghai.
► Snow HgT concentrations were greater than reported for other areas of the world.
► Concentrations were different for residential, industrial and highway impacted sites.
► Anthropogenic pollution from within the city was the predominant source of Hg in snow.