OVERVIEW OF THE FLORIDA ATMOSPHERIC MERCURY STUDY (FAMS)

This manuscript presents a general overview of the Florida Atmospheric Mercury Study (FAMS): its objectives, its spatial design, and its ove rall methodologies. FAMS was initiated in May 1992 with the goal of de veloping field collection and laboratory analytical protocols for char acterizing Hg in rainfall (wet-only and bulk), atmospheric aerosols, a nd total gaseous Hg (TGM) FAMS now comprises a network of 7 operationa l stations, with 2 additional stations scheduled to become operational by the end of 1994. Preliminary results for FAMS, which Hill continue collecting deposition samples through December 1996, are the subjects of other manuscripts in this volume (Gill et al., Landing et al., and Guentzel ct al.). Results to date suggest that regional deposition in south Florida is driven by large-scale regional or hemispheric proces ses as apposed to local emission/deposition processes. Deposition is s easonally variable, with fluxes 4- to 6-fold higher during April-Septe mber compared with October-March. The seasonal difference is fluxes is driven both by concentration differences (2- to 3-fold) and differenc es in rainfall depth.