ATMOSPHERIC MERCURY IN THE VAPOR-PHASE, AND IN FINE AND COARSE PARTICULATE MATTER AT PERCH RIVER, NEW-YORK

Daily samples of size segregated atmospheric particulate matter (d(a) < 2.5 mu m, and 2.5 mu m < d(a) < 10 mu m), and vapor-phase mercury ha ve been collected at five locations in upstate New York over a period of two years. Atmospheric concentrations were determined for mercury a nd, in the particulate matter, for up to 38 other elements by Instrume ntal Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). At the Perch River sampling s ite, the average vapor-phase mercury concentration was 2.4 ng m(-3) wi th a seasonal pattern of higher winter and lower summer concentrations observed over both years of sampling. The average fine and coarse par ticulate concentrations were 0.058 and 0.025 ng m(-3), respectively. C oncentrations for the particulate concentrations followed a log-normal frequency distribution with the most frequently occurring value for f ine particulates being 0.012 ng m(-3) and for coarse particulates 0.00 9 ng m(-3). Episodic high concentrations of both fine and coarse parti culate mercury indicate the impact of specific sources. No correlation was found among the three different types of samples on either an ove rall or daily basis. By applying factor analysis (FA) to the data and using known marker species for specific types of emissions, the source s of the particulate mercury were identified and their contributions e stimated. Fine particulate mercury concentrations were primarily assoc iated with regional sources in the midwestern U.S.A., with copper smel ting, and with the combined influence of aluminum and precious metals processing. Coarse particulate mercury concentrations were principally related to local aluminum processing facilities. The source identific ation results of the FA were confirmed by examining back-projected, mi xed-layer wind trajectories. From February 1993 through the end of the particulate sampling in September 1993 fine particulate mercury conce ntrations declined significantly possibly due to the installation of p articulate controls at one or more of the copper smelters. (C) 1998 El sevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.