Comparison between back-trajectory based modeling and Lagrangian backward dispersion modeling for locating sources of reactive gaseous mercury.
Reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) was measured using an annular denuder coated with potassium chloride at three rural sites (Potsdam, Stockton, and Sterling) in New York State from April 2002 to April 2003. Concentrations of RGM ranged from 0.1 to 84.6 pg m(-3) with large spatial and temporal variation. Potential source contribution function (PSCF), a common receptor modeling tool, was used with these measurements, and source-receptor relationships were calculated using back-dispersion and deposition as well as back-trajectories. Modeling results were compared with the RGM emissions inventory, and Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients were calculated. PSCF results incorporating backward dispersion and deposition were better correlated with the emissions inventory than PSCF based on back-trajectories alone. This difference was determined to be mainly due to the inclusion of dispersion rather than deposition. The main sources of RGM were suggested to be coal-fired power plants in New York and Pennsylvania, the large copper smelter in Quebec, and the taconite mining areas around the Great Lakes.
Han
Young-Ji
YJ
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699-5710, USA.
Holsen
Thomas M
TM
Hopke
Philip K
PK
Yi
Seung-Muk
SM
D000392:Air Movements; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D003031:Coal; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005740:Gases; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009518:New York; D011210:Power Plants
D000393:Air Pollutants; D003031:Coal; D005740:Gases; D008628:Mercury