BIOMONITORING OF ATMOSPHERIC MERCURY IN THE VICINITY OF KILAUEA, HAWAII

The release of mercury from volcanic eruptions on the Island of Hawaii has been well documented, but the dispersion characteristics have not previously been studied in detail. Samples of lichens were collected from around the island, and subsequent analysis showed levels ranging from < 8 to 59 mu g Hg g(-1). The distribution of the accumulation of mercury clearly shows that there is a major input from the active erup tion sites, but that this is significantly modified by variations in w ind patterns. Superimposed on this regional distribution are two local ised sites where the mercury accumulation is exceptionally high; this is attributed to the release of steam from the circulation of shallow ground waters.