Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2018-360
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2018-360
30 Nov 2018
 | 30 Nov 2018
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal AMT but the revision was not accepted.

Reactive mercury flux measurements using cation exchange membranes

Matthieu B. Miller, Mae S. Gustin, and Grant C. Edwards

Abstract. A method was developed to measure gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) air-surface exchange using 2 replicated dynamic flux chambers (DFCs) in conjunction with cation exchange membrane (CEM) filters. The experimental design and method was developed and tested in a laboratory setting, using materials collected from industrial scale open pit gold mines in central Nevada, USA. Materials used included waste rock, heap leach ore, and tailings, with substrate concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 40 μg g−1 total mercury (THg). CEM filters were used to capture GOM from the DFC sample lines while a Tekran® 2537A analyzer measured GEM concurrently. Previous and ongoing work demonstrated that CEM do not collect GEM and efficiently collects multiple compounds of GOM. Positive GOM emission rates up to 4000 pg m−2 h−1 were measured from tailings materials with high Hg substrate concentrations, and this has significant implication with respect to air-Hg surface exchange. GOM flux was variable for lower Hg concentration substrates, with both emission and deposition observed, and this was affected by ambient air GOM concentrations. For substrates that experienced GOM deposition, deposition velocities were in the range 0.01–0.07 cm s−1.

Matthieu B. Miller, Mae S. Gustin, and Grant C. Edwards
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
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Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Matthieu B. Miller, Mae S. Gustin, and Grant C. Edwards
Matthieu B. Miller, Mae S. Gustin, and Grant C. Edwards

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Short summary
In the atmosphere there are 2 gaseous forms of mercury (Hg), elemental (Hgo) and oxidized compounds (GOM). Hgo is oxidized by gases such as ozone and chlorine compounds. GOM is readily deposited to ecosystems and converted to methylmercury (a subtle neurotoxin). Here we explain development of a method for measurement of GOM deposition and emission associated with surfaces, and demonstrate that both occur. This has significant implications, because no one has been able to do this successfully.