Ambient mercury sources in Rochester, NY: results from Principle Components Analysis (PCA) of Mercury Monitoring Network Data.
Continuous atmospheric measurements of speciated mercury (Hg) (elemental mercury (Hg⁰), reactive gaseous mercury (RGM), and particulate mercury (Hgp)) were made in Rochester, NY from Dec 2007 to May 2009. Continuous measurements of ozone (O₃), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbonmonoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM₂.₅), and meteorological data were also available. A principle components analysis (PCA) of 3886 observations of 13 variables for the period identified six major factors. Melting snow was observed to be a source of Hg⁰in winters. Positive correlations between RGM and O₃ in the spring and summer may be indicative of Hg⁰ oxidation. RGM concentrations increased simultaneously with SO₂ suggesting the influence of coal fired power plants (CFPP). The ﬁfth factor (F5) containing O₃ (high negative loading), CO (positive loading), Hg⁰ and Hg(p) (positive), and/or RGM (negative) was identified as a mobile source which was usually observed during morning rush hours (6:00-9:00 a.m.). The concentrations of the three mercury species from the direction of the CFPP were significantly reduced following the shutdown of this source.
Huang
Jiaoyan
J
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699-5712, USA.
Choi
Hyun-Deok
HD
Hopke
Philip K
PK
Holsen
Thomas M
TM
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry; D002947:Cities; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D009518:New York; D010126:Ozone / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D011210:Power Plants; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012621:Seasons; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000032:analysis
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide; D010126:Ozone; D008628:Mercury