Total gaseous mercury concentrations in ambient air in the eastern slope of Mt. Gongga, South-Eastern fringe of the Tibetan plateau, China

During May 2005–June 2006, measurements of total gaseous mercury (TGM) concentrations were carried out by using a set of automatic atmospheric mercury vapor analyzer (Tekran 2537A) at Moxi base station (102°07′E, 29°40′N, 1640 m a.s.l.) of the Gongga alpine ecosystem observation and experiment station of Chinese academy of sciences (CAS) which belongs to the Chinese ecosystem research network (CERN). A seasonal distribution pattern of TGM in ambient air was observed on the descending order of winter, fall, spring, and summer. Geometric mean TGM concentration over the sampling periods was 3.98 ng m−3 with a range from 0.52 to 21.03 ng m−3. The measurements showed a noticeable diurnal TGM distribution pattern with high concentration during daytime compared to nighttime; the maximum and the minimum concentration appeared near solar noon and immediately before sunrise, respectively. TGM concentrations were regulated by the wind directions, and wind from the southeastern direction carried more mercury than any other direction suggesting that anthropogenic sources, such as local zinc smelting activities and fuel combustion, played a predominant role in the elevation of TGM concentrations in this area.