Elemental mercury in the atmosphere of a tropical Amazonian forest (French Guiana)

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es990119b· OSTI ID:696778

Amouroux, D; Donard, O F.X. ^[1]

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1. Univ. de Pau et des Pays de l`Adour, Pau (France). Lab. de Chimie Analytique Bio-Inorganique et Environnement

Gaseous atmospheric mercury was investigated at two sites of a tropical Amazonian forest (French Guiana) in the Petit Inini River basin and the Petit Saut Lake in June, 1998. Gaseous atmospheric mercury was identified as elemental mercury (Hg{sup 0}). Diurnal variation of atmospheric Hg{sup 0} in both studied aquatic environments were significantly correlated with air temperature and anticorrelated with relative humidity. Average Hg{sup 0} concentrations were higher above the Petit Inini River that the Petit Saut Lake. Background Hg{sup 0} concentrations in the Petit Inini River basin were higher than those observed in remote environments. These data suggest that gold mining activity (i.e., Petit Inini River basin) may influence mercury mobilization in tropical forest ecosystems and that atmospheric transfer is a major pathway for mercury cycling in these environments.

• OSTI ID: 696778
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 17 Vol. 33; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
DAILY VARIATIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FORESTS
FRENCH GUIANA
MERCURY