SPRINGTIME DEPLETION OF ATMOSPHERIC MERCURY IN THE RUSSIAN ARCTIC

A. V. Konoplev, F. F. Pankratov, and A. M. Rychkov

Continuous observations of elementary mercury vapor concentration in the surface atmosphere at the polar station Amderma with the help of the automated analyzer Tekran 2537A from June 2001 to February 2004 are described. Individual measurements were taken every hour. The principle of operation of the analyzer is based on high-selectivity adsorption of mercury vapors from the air onto a high-purity gold adsorbent. Afterward, the amalgamated mercury is thermally desorbed and measured with an atomic-fluorescence cold vapor spectro¬meter. The mean mercury concentration for the observational period is 1.68 ± 0.45 ng/m3. The springtime mercury concentration at the settlement of Amderma drops similarly to the situation observed in the Arctic regions of Canada, United States, Norway, and Denmark. In the springtime, from late March to mid-June, the variability of mercury concentration increases sharply, while its mean value decreases. In May 2002, the mean mercury concentration is 1.21 ± 0.47 ng/m3.