Urban mercury pollution in the City of Paramaribo, Suriname

Abstract

Atmospheric mercury pollution related to gold mining activities is a matter of concern in the Republic of Suriname. The first measurements of total gaseous mercury (TGM) in ambient air in Suriname at different sites are presented in this study. Our study shows that Suriname has a TGM mercury background level of 1.45–1.52 ng/m3, with a mean of 1.4 ng/m3 which is in agreement with global background concentrations (1.5–2.0 ng/m3) (Feng et al. Sci Total Environ 304:61–72, 2003; Li et al. Sci Total Environ 395:72–79, 2008). Emissions of mercury from gold buy up shops in the City of Paramaribo result in TGM maximum concentrations of 109.4 ng/m3 (15 min average) and a mean concentration level of 5.6 ng/m3 at this urban measurement location. These levels are comparable with that of world cities in Asia and North America. However, per capita Paramaribo loads 3.5–6.5 times more TGM into the atmosphere than Changchun City (Fang et al. Sci Total Environ 330:159–170, 2004) and the occurring spikes are 5.3 times higher and much longer in duration then those in New York City (Carpi and Chen Water Air Soil Pollut 140:371–379, 2002). According to health standard institutions these concentrations represent no risk for the general public. However, a survey inside and in the close vicinity (<100 m) of the gold buy up shops shows mercury concentration levels that surpass the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended exposure level of 50 μg/m3 inside and the minimal risk level of 0.2 μg/m3 of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry outside.