IDENTIFICATION OF POSSIBLE MERCURY SOURCES AND ESTIMATION OF MERCURY WET DEPOSITION FLUX IN LAKE ONTARIO FROM LAKE ONTARIO ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION STUDY (LOADS)

Abstract

Total gas phase mercury (TGM) concentrations and event wet-only precipitation for Hg were collected for nine months (from April, 2002 to Dec., 2002) at Sterling, NY on the shoreline of Lake Ontario. TGM concentrations measured in this study () were in somewhat high range compared to other background sites. Using simplified quantitative transport bias analysis (SQTBA) possible sources affecting high Hg concentration in Sterling was identified, and they are coal-fired power plants located in southern NY and Pennsylvania. Wet deposition measured at Mercury Deposition Network (MDN) sites including Pt. Petre and Egbert, ON were compared with data obtained at the Sterling to estimate the total mercury wet deposition flux to Lake Ontario. The wet deposition flux was calculated to be the highest at the Sterling site ( from April, 2002 to Dec. 2002) and the lowest at the Egbert (), due to the both the difference in precipitation depth and Hg concentration in the precipitation. The deposition measured at the Sterling site is similar to Lake Michigan deposition of (converted for ninth months) measured for Lake Michigan Mass Balance Study (LMMBS).