The effect of man made source processes on the behavior of total gaseous mercury in air: A comparison between four urban monitoring sites in Seoul Korea

Concentrations of total gaseous mercury (TGM) were measured continuously at four urban residential locations (G (Guro-gu); N (Nowon-gu); S (Songpa-gu); and Y (Yongsan-gu)) in Seoul, Korea from 2004 to 2009. The mean concentrations of Hg at these sites were found on the order of N (3.98 ± 1.68 ng m− 3), S (3.87 ± 1.56 ng m− 3), G (3.80 ± 1.60 ng m− 3), and Y (3.36 ± 1.55 ng m− 3). Evidence indicates that the spatial distribution of Hg should be affected by the combined effects of both local anthropogenic (incineration facilities and thermal power plants) and natural (soil) emission sources in association with the meteorological parameters. Inspection of the Hg temporal patterns indicates the co-existence of contrasting seasonal patterns between the central site Y (winter dominance) and all other outbound sites near city borders (summer dominance). The long-term trend of Hg, if examined by combining our previous studies and the present one, shows that Hg levels in this urban area declined gradually across decadal periods despite slight variabilities in spatial scale: (1) above 10 ng m− 3 in the late 1980s, (2) ~ 5 ng m− 3 in the late 1990s, and (3) ~ 3 ng m− 3 toward the late 2000s. The results of the principal component analysis along with observed differences in seasonal patterns (between study sites) suggest that Hg distributions between different urban sites are greatly distinguishable with strong source signatures at each individual site.

► Hg concentration at the central site was lower than those at other bordering sites.
► Local emission sources near bordering sites were larger than those near central city.
► Inter-annual pattern of Hg at four sites showed upward trend of 1.2 to 6.4% yr− 1.
► Noticeable spatial trends in the source–sink relationship are supported by PCA.