title: Comparison of gaseous oxidized Hg measured by KCl-coated denuders, and nylon and cation exchange membranes.
abstract: The chemical compounds that make up gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) in the atmosphere, and the reactions responsible for their formation, are not well understood. The limitations and uncertainties associated with the current method applied to measure these compounds, the KCl-coated denuder, are not known due to lack of calibration and testing. This study systematically compared the uptake of specific GOM compounds by KCl-coated denuders with that collected using nylon and cation exchange membranes in the laboratory and field. In addition, a new method for identifying different GOM compounds using thermal desorption is presented. Different GOM compounds (HgCl2, HgBr2, and HgO) were found to have different affinities for the denuder surface and the denuder underestimated each of these compounds. Membranes measured 1.3 to 3.7 times higher GOM than denuders in laboratory and field experiments. Cation exchange membranes had the highest collection efficiency. Thermodesorption profiles for the release of GOM compounds from the nylon membrane were different for HgO versus HgBr2 and HgCl2. Application of the new field method for collection and identification of GOM compounds demonstrated these vary as a function of location and time of year. Understanding the chemistry of GOM across space and time has important implications for those developing policy regarding this environmental contaminant.
authors: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664, N. Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States.
authors: Jiaoyan
authors: J
authors: Huang
authors: Matthieu B
authors: MB
authors: Miller
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Weiss-Penzias
authors: Mae Sexauer
authors: MS
authors: Gustin
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001965:Bromides / Q000032:analysis*; D002411:Cation Exchange Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000032:analysis*; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D009757:Nylons / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010087:Oxides / Q000032:analysis*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D001965:Bromides; D002411:Cation Exchange Resins; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D017669:Mercury Compounds; D009757:Nylons; D010087:Oxides; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D011189:Potassium Chloride; C019468:mercuric oxide; C042720:mercuric bromide