Concentrations of mercury and metals in the microlayer and sub-surface water of two large lakes

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:33549

Cleckner, L B; Esseks, E S; Meier, P G; Keeler, G J ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

In previous investigations, pollutant concentrations in surface microlayers have been reported to be elevated over those in the sub-surface water. The reasons for this enrichment are many, and include atmospheric deposition, fluvial inputs and oil spills. The objective of this study was to investigate the role that atmospheric deposition plays in the enrichment of mercury and trace metals in the microlayer of Lakes Champlain and Michigan. A secondary objective was to compare the microlayer and sub-surface concentrations of metals. Samples of air, microlayer and sub-surface water were collected using ultra-clean techniques during the summer of 1993. Lake Champlain samples were collected on mile from Burlington, VT while Lake Michigan samples were collected four miles from Chicago, IL. Mercury samples were analyzed in a class 100 clean room at the University of Michigan by dual amalgamation and CVAFS and metals wee analyzed by ICPMS. Results from the field investigations include: (1) Lake Michigan samples had higher average concentrations of mercury and other metals than Lake Champlain; (2) Mercury levels varied more than the other metals for both lakes; (3) Atmospheric deposition may be responsible for elevated concentrations of certain metals such as zinc and cadmium in the microlayer during days when there is transport from adjacent urban areas.

• OSTI ID: 33549
• Report Number(s): CONF-9410273--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
AIR-WATER INTERACTIONS
CADMIUM
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
LAKE MICHIGAN
LAKES
MERCURY
MONITORING
NEW YORK
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC