Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4444612 Atmospheric Environment 2006 9 Pages PDF
Abstract

Continuous measurements of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) in downtown Toronto were conducted from June 2001–February 2002. Ambient air was sampled at 3.5 and 7 m above ground in a canopy over a sidewalk. The quarter hourly mean concentrations were found at 2.39±2.05 ng m−3 (N=10,658) for the lower sampling level, and 2.57±2.39 ng m−3 (N=10,628) for the upper sampling level. The average of both sampling levels (2.48 ng m−3) was 60% higher than the average of Canadian background emission (1.55 ng m−3, Alert). Seasonal concentrations showed the effects of the temperature on the volatilization of Hg0. Higher GEM was found in the summer time (20 June–19 September) at 3.03±2.13 ng m−3 (lower level) and 3.31±2.56 ng m−3 (upper level) while lower values were observed in the fall (20 September–19 December) at 1.84±0.87 ng m−3 (lower level) and 1.97±1.38 ng m−3 (upper level). Log normal probability distribution of the GEM concentration was verified and the double peak hourly average diurnal distribution of GEM concentration was observed in our study.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Earth and Planetary Sciences Atmospheric Science
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