Atmospheric mercury distribution in Northern Europe and in the Mediterranean region

Mercury species in air have been measured at five sites in Northwest Europe and at five coastal sites in the Mediterranean region during measurements at four seasons. Observed concentrations of total gaseous mercury (TGM), to tal particulate mercury (TPM) and reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) were gener ally slightly higher in the Mediterranean region than in Northwest Europe. Incoming clean Atlantic air seems to be enriched in TGM in comparison to ai r in Scandinavia. Trajectory analysis of events where high concentrations o f TPM simultaneously were observed at sites in North Europe indicate source areas in Central Europe and provide evidence of transport of mercury on pa rticles on a regional scale, (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.