Contribution of the intercontinental atmospheric transport to mercury pollution in the Northern Hemisphere

Dispersion of mercury in the atmosphere of the Northern Hemisphere is studied by means of atmospheric modelling. Mercury concentration in the ambient air and deposition levels are investigated as well as the intercontinental transport of mercury is assessed. It is demonstrated that the contribution of external anthropogenic and natural sources to mercury deposition to different continents varies from 30% to 70% of total value. Besides, about half the mercury deposition to such a remote region as the Arctic is due to the transport from anthropogenic emission sources. Thus, it could be concluded that the contribution of the intercontinental atmospheric transport of mercury is comparable with that of regional pollution even in industrially developed regions of the Northern Hemisphere.