Atomic mercury distribution features in the surface air layer in the Sea of Japan in the fall of 2010

Presented are the results of mercury content measurements in the surface air layer in the Sea of Japan in the period from October 27 to November 11, 2010. It is revealed that the mercury content varied from 0.6 to 3.8 ng/m³. It is demonstrated that the mercury concentration distribution has geographical zoning and depends on the movement of air masses and on the closeness of anthropogenic sources. The maximum mercury concentration is detected in the central part of the sea at the southwestern and southern directions of the wind, that is associated with the industrial emissions of East Asia countries. The minimum mercury concentration corresponding to the concentration in the surface air layer of the Arctic, Atlantic Ocean (Northern Hemisphere), and the Sea of Okhotsk and Bering Sea was observed along the coast of Primorye at the northwestern wind direction.