A new indicator of fireworks emissions in Rochester, New York

In ambient particle source apportionment studies, data for holidays such as July 4 (US Independence Day) are normally removed because of the high concentrations of chemical species and unusually high particle mass concentrations that are due to fireworks. Many cultures celebrate events with fireworks. A near real-time measurement that could indicate fireworks would be useful in indicating their impact on air quality. Commonly monitored ambient pollutants include PM_2.5, CO, SO₂, O₃, 10–500-nm particle number, and black carbon (BC). Using a two-wavelength aethalometer, another parameter, delta-C (UVBC_370?nm–BC_880?nm, aethalometer), can be calculated. These variables were continuously monitored during July 1–7, 2005–2010, in Rochester, New York. High delta-C values are normally associated with biomass combustion particles. However, statistically higher delta-C values were observed on Independence Day compared to the other period. Back trajectory analysis showed transport of local fireworks smoke to the sampling site on the night of July 4. An enhanced correlation between delta-C and BC during the fireworks episodes suggests changes from the usual BC sources. Fireworks emissions changed the ambient carbonaceous particulate species during these intervals. The delta-C value was found to be a readily measured indicator of fireworks emissions during periods when wood combustion was not likely to be present and provides a tool for monitoring such emissions where they might be more common such as amusement parks.     

Characteristics of black carbon aerosol mass concentration over the East Baltic region from two-year measurements

Continuous measurements of black carbon (BC) aerosol mass concentration were performed at a background site Preila (55°55'N, 21°00'E, 5 m a.s.l., Lithuania) during the period 2008-2009. The data were used to characterize the BC mass concentration distribution over the East Baltic region. High increase in aerosol BC concentration was associated with the change in air mass characteristics and biomass burning during the winter heating season and spring wildfires. Monthly means of BC concentration ranged from 212 to 1268 ng m(-3) and the highest hourly means of concentration were from 4800 to 6300 ng m(-3), predominantly in spring and winter months. During the October-April period the BC mass concentrations were about twice as high as those in the summertime. The BC diurnal pattern in winter was typically different from that in spring indicating the seasonal variation of the atmospheric boundary layer height. The weekday/weekend difference was not strongly pronounced because the BC concentrations in Preila are mainly affected by long-range transport or local sources. Typical periodicities caused by anthropogenic and meteorological influences have been identified using Fourier analysis. It was shown that domestic heating appears as a 365 day periodicity; traffic slightly contributes 5-7 day peaks in the spectrum and elevated long-range BC can be identified as characteristic peaks with periodicities in the range from 16 to 29 days.Temporal evolution and transport of BC aerosols were interpreted by the air mass backward trajectory analysis in conjunction with the examination of the wavelength dependence on the aethalometer data. Air masses originated from the North Atlantic Ocean and Scandinavia were favourable for lower BC concentrations (350 ng m(-3)), while the BC level associated with the Western Europe airflows was significantly higher (970 ng m(-3)). The mean values of ?ngstr?m exponent of the absorption coefficient (monthly means 1.45 ± 0.25 and 0.84 ± 0.50 over January and June, respectively) revealed that the BC concentration observed over the East Baltic is influenced by submicron sized particles as a result of incomplete biomass combustion during the winter season.     

Attribution of aerosol light absorption to black carbon and volatile aerosols

We investigated the contribution of volatile aerosols in light-absorption measurement by three filter-based optical instruments [aethalometer, continuous light-absorption photometer (CLAP), and continuous soot monitoring system (COSMOS)] at Gosan Climate Observatory (GCO) from February to June 2012. The aerosol absorption coefficient (σ _abs) and the equivalent black carbon (BC) mass concentration (M _BC) measured by the aethalometer and CLAP showed good agreement with a difference of 9 %, which is likely due to the instrumental uncertainty. However, σ _abs and M _BC measured by the COSMOS with a heated inlet were found to be approximately 44 and 49 % lower than those measured by the aethalometer and CLAP under ambient conditions, respectively. This difference can be attributed to the light absorption by the volatile aerosols coexisting with the BC. Even considering inherent observational uncertainty, it suggests that approximately 35–40 % difference in the σ _abs and M _BC can be contributed by volatile aerosols. Increase in the difference of M _BC measured by the aethalometer and COSMOS with the increasing thermal organic carbon (OC) measured by Sunset OC/EC analyzer further suggests that the filter-based optical instruments without the use of a heater are likely to enhance the value of σ _abs and M _BC, because this sample air may contain both BC and volatile aerosols.     

Comparison of elemental and black carbon measurements during normal and heavy haze periods: implications for research

Studies specifically addressing the elemental carbon (EC)/black carbon (BC) relationship during the transition from clean-normal (CN) air quality to heavy haze (HH) are rare but have important health and climate implications. The present study, in which EC levels are measured using a thermal-optical method and BC levels are measured using an optical method (aethalometer), provides a preliminary insight into this issue. The average daily EC concentration was 3.08?±?1.10 μg/m³ during the CN stage but climbed to 11.77?±?2.01 μg/m³ during the HH stage. More importantly, the BC/EC ratio averaged 0.92?±?0.14 during the CN state and increased to 1.88?±?0.30 during the HH state. This significant increase in BC/EC ratio has been confirmed to result partially from an increase in the in situ light absorption efficiency (σ _ap) due to an enhanced internal mixing of the EC with other species. However, the exact enhancement of σ _ap was unavailable because our monitoring scheme could not acquire the in situ absorption (b _ap) essential for σ _ap calculation. This reveals a need to perform simultaneous measurement of EC and b _ap over a time period that includes both the CN and HH stages. In addition, the sensitivity of EC to both anthropogenic emissions and HH conditions implies a need to systematically study how to include EC complex (EC concentration, OC/EC ratio, and σ _ap) as an indicator in air quality observations, in alert systems that assess air quality, and in the governance of emissions and human behaviors.     

The impact of domestic wood burning on personal, indoor and outdoor levels of 1,3-butadiene, benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde

The aim of this study was to quantify personal exposure and indoor levels of the suspected or known carcinogenic compounds 1,3-butadiene, benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in a small Swedish town where wood burning for space heating is common. Subjects (wood burners, n = 14), living in homes with daily use of wood-burning appliances were compared with referents (n = 10) living in the same residential area. Personal exposure and stationary measurements indoors and at an ambient site were performed with diffusive samplers for 24 h. In addition, 7 day measurements of 1,3-butadiene and benzene were performed inside and outside the homes. Wood burners had significantly higher median personal exposure to 1,3-butadiene (0.18 microg m(-3)) compared with referents (0.12 microg m(-3)), which was also reflected in the indoor levels. Significantly higher indoor levels of benzene were found in the wood-burning homes (3.0 microg m(-3)) compared with the reference homes (1.5 microg m(-3)). With regard to aldehydes, median levels obtained from personal and indoor measurements were similar although the four most extreme acetaldehyde levels were all found in wood burners. High correlations were found between personal and indoor levels for all substances (r(s) > 0.8). In a linear regression model, type of wood-burning appliance, burning time and number of wood replenishments were significant factors for indoor levels of 1,3-butadiene. Domestic wood burning seems to increase personal exposure to 1,3-butadiene as well as indoor levels of 1,3-butadiene and benzene and possibly also acetaldehyde. The cancer risk from these compounds at exposure to wood smoke is, however, estimated to be low in developed countries.     

Verifying emission factors and national POPs emission inventories for the UK using measurements and modelling at two rural locations

Different approaches are used to verify the adequacy of emission factors (EFs) and their use in emission inventories of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The applicability of EFs was tested using atmospheric dispersion modelling to predict atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and resulting toxic equivalents (SigmaTEQ) and particulate matter <10 microm (PM(10)) in two rural locations in northern England (UK). The modelling was based on general assumptions of fuel composition, consumption and heating needs to simulate emissions of POPs from the domestic burning of coal and wood where ambient measurements were made in the winter of 1998. The model was used to derive the local contribution to ambient air concentrations, which were estimated independently based on comparative air measurements. The results support the hypothesis that in both villages, the majority of PAHs and the lower chlorinated PCDFs were locally released. The situation for PCBs and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) was different. While the EFs show the release of both compound groups from the domestic burning of coal and wood, the ambient levels of these "legacy POPs" in the villages were still clearly dominated by other sources. Rural areas relying mainly on fossil fuels can exceed the proposed UK ambient air quality standard for benzo[a]pyrene during winter. The measured EFs were then used to estimate the importance of the domestic burning of coal and wood to national emission inventories for these compound classes. Extrapolations to the UK suggest that the domestic burning of pure wood and coal were minor emitters for chlorinated POPs but contributed strongly to PAH and PM(10) levels in 2000. Finally, the UK's national POPs emission inventories based on source inventories and EF, as used here, were compared to estimates derived using the increase in atmospheric concentration of selected POPs.     

Some Remarks About the Effect of Smoke from Charcoal Kilns on Soil Degradation

The charcoal kilns under study were situated in the Polish Western Carpathiens (Bieszczady). Aromatic hydrocarbon products of wood burning in the kilns were identified. The rate of decomposition of beech leaves was relatively high as environmental conditions enhanced decomposition. The intensity of soil metabolism is increasing during a long-term exposure to smoke, which is one of the indicators of anthropogenic disturbance resulting from organic factors.     

上海市路边环境空气黑碳气溶胶污染特征及影响因素研究

为研究上海市路边环境空气黑碳(BC)的污染特征,采用连续监测方法对2016年1月至2018年12月上海市路边环境空气BC浓度进行了监测,并同步监测了气象因子,分析了BC的时间变化特征,探讨了气象因素对BC的影响以及不同空气质量等级下BC浓度水平。结果表明:2016、2017、2018年上海市路边环境空气BC年均质量浓度分别为(2 908±2 189)、(2 959±2 224)、(2 824±2 002) ng/m3,呈现出下降趋势;2016、2017、2018年BC与PM2.5年均质量浓度比分别为9. 30%、9. 20%、9. 50%;BC季节变化特征明显,整体表现为春夏高、秋冬低的特点;昼夜变化特征均呈现出双峰分布,第一个峰值均出现在06:00,第二个峰值均出现在16:00-19:00,且第一个峰值高于第二个峰值。气象因素对BC有一定影响,在降水、相对湿度低以及非静风条件下BC浓度较低。随着上海市空气质量由好转差,上海市路边环境空气BC浓度均呈现上升趋势,空气质量为良、轻度污染、中度污染、重度污染时路边环境空气BC平均浓度分别较空气质量为优时增加了0. 38、0. 96、1. 61、1. 96倍。     

Atmospheric aerosols at a regional background Himalayan site—Mukteshwar, India

Continuous aerosol measurements were made at a regional background station (Mukteshwar) located in a rural Himalayan mountain terrain from December 2005 to December 2008 for a period of 3 years. The average concentrations of particulate matter less than or equal to 10 μm (PM₁₀), particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) and black carbon (BC) are 46.0, 26.6 and 0.85 μg/m³ during the study period. Majority of the PM₁₀ values lie below 100 μg/m³ while majority of the PM_2.5 values lie below 30 μg/m³. It is further seen that during the monsoon months, especially July and August, the average values are comparatively low. It is also noted that the PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratios between 0.50 and 0.75 have the maximum frequency distribution in the data set. Furthermore, the monthly mean ratio of BC to PM_2.5 mass lies between 3.0 and 7.5 % during the study period. Though the average PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations during the study period are less than the respective Indian ambient air quality standards, however, they are still above the WHO guidelines and would have adverse health impacts. This shows that even in rural/background regions that are far away from major pollution sources or urban areas, the aerosol concentrations are significant and require long-term monitoring, source quantification and aerosol model simulations.     

Influence of burning of fireworks on particle size distribution of PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> and associated Barium at Nagpur

Influence of burning of fireworks on particle size distribution of PM₁₀ and associated barium (Ba) were studied at a congested residential cum commercial area of Nagpur city, India. Sampling was carried out by cascade impactor having 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameters of <10, 9, 5.8, 4.7, 3.3, 2.1, 1.1, 0.7, and <0.4 μm, 2 days before diwali, during diwali, celebrations of marriage functions, and New Year’s Eve. Noticeably, increased levels of PM₁₀ and Ba were observed during diwali as compared to days before diwali and other activities. PM₁₀ levels were increased by four to nine times whereas Ba levels were increased by eight to 20 times higher in alveolar region, when compared with the levels observed before diwali. Probability of deposition of Ba mass in alveolar region varied between 14 and 27 ng/h with higher deposition when the burning of fireworks activity was lower near the site. Trimodal distribution of Ba was observed on the first 2 days of diwali at 0.4–2.1, 2.1–4.7, and 4.7 to less than PM₁₀ micrometer range. While on the third day, it appeared bimodal with 70% contribution in coarse fraction whereas on the fourth day, distribution appeared unimodal with 66% contribution in alveolar region (<0.4–1.1 μm). Distribution of Ba varied with respect to particle size, in accordance with the intensity of the fireworks used on different days and distance between the burning of firecrackers from the monitoring site.     

Analyzing SO 2 concentrations and wind directions during a short monitoring campaign at a site far from the industrial pole of La Plata, Argentina

This article presents and discusses SO2 air quality concentrations (ppbv) together with wind velocities and directions measurements carried out between September 1st and December 21st 2005 at a site located 8.5 km away from the Industrial Pole of La Plata area. As the city and its surroundings have no official monitoring network, the current work enlarges the air quality information available from the zone and sets some initial considerations to the future siting of monitoring stations. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using techniques of tests for outliers and trends, dissimilarity measures and robust regression. In relation to SO2 concentrations, low values were found during this short campaign considering daily averages (with a maximum of 8.5 ppbv) and hourly averages (with a maximum of 25.9 ppbv); World Health Organization guidelines were never surpassed. Nevertheless, a strong dependence between wind directions carrying air pollutants from the Industrial Pole and hourly concentration peaks were found. Due to low monthly SO2 concentrations and because a decreasing time trend was found, the authors propose, as an example, the implementation of an alternative discontinuous method to the continuous analyzer used in the current campaign. Our results state that sampling every 7 days at 13:00-13:59 hours (local time) would be enough to get representative values of the air quality. As a general remark it is possible to highlight that longer and systematic studies should be encouraged to confirm the seasonal wind pattern and to evaluate the air quality.     

Evaluation of the NIOSH draft method 5525 for determination of the total reactive isocyanate group (TRIG) for aliphatic isocyanates in autobody repair shops. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

This paper evaluates the performance of the NIOSH draft method 5525 for analysis of monomeric and TRIG aliphatic isocyanates in autobody repair shops. It was found that an optimized pH gradient enhanced noticeably the resolution and, therefore, identification of aliphatic isocyanates. Samples proved to be very stable for at least a year when stored at -13 degrees C in the freezer, and no major stability problems were found for the MAP reagent. The detector response factor RSD for selected MAP ureas was 40% in the fluorescence (FLD), 3% in the UV at 254 nm (UV254), and 1% in the UV at 370 nm (UV370). The mean FLD/UV254 and UV254/UV370 detector response ratios of standards were 31.7 (RSD = 37.8) and 17.1 (RSD = 5.4), respectively. The FLD/UV254 ratio in bulks varied from 0.41 to 1.97 times the HDI monomer ratio. The mean UV254/UV370 ratio in bulks was 16.1 (range 14.1 to 19.2, N = 38). Mean (range) recovery of 92 (91.2-93.2)% was found for the N3300 (isocyanurate) spiked on 25 mm quartz fiber filters in the range 0.07 to 2.2 microg NCO ml(-1). Mean (range) recovery for impingers was 100.7 (91.7-106.0)% for N3300 in the concentration range of 0.018 to 2.5 microg NCO ml(-1) and 81.0 (76.1-89.1)% for IPDI in the concentration range of 0.016 to 1.87 microg NCO ml(-1). Analytical method precision was 3.4% and mean bias 7.4% (range = 0-25%). The NIOSH draft method 5525 provides flexibility, enhanced sensitivity and specificity, powerful resolution, and very small compound-to-compound variability in the UV254, resulting in a more reliable identification and quantification of aliphatic isocyanates.     

不同木柴在两种条件下燃烧生成的颗粒物中多环芳烃的排放特性研究

将马尾松、赤桉、甜叶桉树和锦熟黄杨四种木柴,使用普通家用木柴燃烧加热炉在两种条件下进行燃烧,采集燃烧所排放的颗粒物样品并分析,获得了颗粒物中多环芳烃(Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons简写为PAHs)的排放因子及单个多环芳烃化合物的分布规律。结果显示:在颗粒物中检测出的多环芳烃化合物主要是分子量较大并被称为基因致毒性类的多环芳烃化合物,实验还发现:在四种木柴中,马尾松具有最高的多环芳烃化合物的排放因子,其次是赤桉和锦熟黄杨,最低的是甜叶桉树。两种不同的燃烧条件相比,慢燃烧比快燃烧所产生的总多环芳烃化合物和基因致毒性多环芳烃化合物的量都要高。     

Determination of response of real-time SidePak AM510 monitor to secondhand smoke, other common indoor aerosols, and outdoor aerosol

The amount of light scattered by airborne particles inside an aerosol photometer will vary not only with the mass concentration, but also with particle properties such as size, shape, and composition. This study conducted controlled experiments to compare the measurements of a real-time photometer, the SidePak AM510 monitor (SidePak), with gravimetric mass. PM sources tested were outdoor aerosols, and four indoor combustion sources: cigarettes, incense, wood chips, and toasting bread. The calibration factor for rescaling the SidePak measurements to agree with gravimetric mass was similar for the cigarette and incense sources, but different for burning wood chips and toasting bread. The calibration factors for ambient urban aerosols differed substantially from day to day, due to variations in the sources and composition of outdoor PM. A field evaluation inside a casino with active smokers yielded calibration factors consistent with those obtained in the controlled experiments with cigarette smoke.     

The impact assessment of Diwali fireworks emissions on the air quality of a tropical urban site, Hyderabad, India, during three consecutive years

Diwali is one of the largest festivals for Hindu religion which falls in the period October–November every year. During the festival days, extensive burning of firecrackers takes place, especially in the evening hours, constituting a significant source of aerosols, black carbon (BC), organics, and trace gases. The widespread use of sparklers was found to be associated with short-term air quality degradation events. The present study focuses on the influence of Diwali fireworks emissions on surface ozone (O₃), nitrogen oxides (NO _x ), and BC aerosol concentration over the tropical urban region of Hyderabad, India during three consecutive years (2009–2011). The trace gases are analyzed for pre-Diwali, Diwali, and post-Diwali days in order to reveal the festivity’s contribution to the ambient air quality over the city. A twofold to threefold increase is observed in O₃, NO _x , and BC concentrations during the festival period compared to control days for 2009–2011, which is mainly attributed to firecrackers burning. The high correlation coefficient (~0.74) between NO _x and SO₂ concentrations and higher SO₂/NO _x (S/N) index suggested air quality degradation due to firecrackers burning. Furthermore, the Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation-derived aerosol subtyping map also confirmed the presence of smoke aerosols emitted from firecrackers burning over the region. Nevertheless, the concentration level of pollutants exhibited substantial decline over the region during the years 2010 and 2011 compared to 2009 ascribed to various awareness campaigns and increased cost of firecrackers.     

西安市黑碳气溶胶浓度特征及与气象因素和常规污染物相关性

利用西安市环境监测站超级站2013年9月1日—2015年5月31日黑碳气溶胶(BC)的监测数据,研究空气中BC浓度特征及其与气象因素和常规污染物相关性。结果表明:BC小时平均浓度均值在春季、夏季和冬季的变化趋势呈"W"型,秋季呈"V"型,且冬季的第一个最低值和峰值比春季和夏季的分别延迟1 h和2~3 h,且20:00~次日6:00秋季BC小时平均浓度均值高于当年冬季。BC浓度在秋季和冬季较高,夏季较低。冬季BC/PM_(2.5)基本最低,秋季BC/PM_(2.5)相对最高。BC日平均浓度与气温、降水和风速的日平均值为极负显著相关,且风速小于1.0 m/s时,其与风速呈最显著的负相关。除O_3外,BC日平均浓度与其他常规空气污染物浓度呈显著相关,表明其同源性很强,且受机动车尾气排放的影响更大。     

The use of semipermeable membrane devices as passive samplers to determine persistent organic compounds in indoor air

In the study reported here semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were used to sample 28 PAHs and 19 PCBs in the gas phase in 15 single-family houses located in an area where domestic wood burning is widespread. Eight of the households used wood burning appliances whereas the others used other systems for residential heating. Most of the studied compounds were found in the houses: the PAHs at levels that were similar to or slightly higher than published SPMD-sampled levels for background or urban sites in Sweden, and the PCBs at levels that were somewhat lower than those recently found in both indoor and outdoor urban locations. A principal component analysis revealed that wood-burning heating systems may contribute to PAHs in indoor air. The sources may be emissions indoors or penetration from outdoors. The convenience of SPMD technology facilitates its use for semi-quantitative screening and monitoring of various persistent organic compounds indoors in dwellings and working environments.     

Concentrations of formaldehyde and other carbonyls in environments affected by incense burning

Burning incense to pay homage to deities is common in Chinese homes and temples. Air samples were collected and analyzed for carbonyls from a home and a temple in Hong Kong where incense burning occurs on a daily basis. Carbonyls in the air were trapped on a solid sorbent coated with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)-hydroxylamine, followed by thermal desorption and subsequent GC/MS analysis. The carbonyls identified include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, 2-furfural, benzaldehyde, glyoxal, and methylglyoxal. The levels of the above carbonyls correlate with the intensity of the incense-burning activities. The total mixing ratios of the carbonyls in the temple exceed those in the ambient air outside the temple by 11-23 times. Formaldehyde is the most abundant species, contributing to approximately 55% of the total carbonyl mixing ratios in both the temple and the home environments during incense burning. The mixing ratio of formaldehyde ranges from 108 to 346 ppbv in the temple and averages 103 ppbv in the home during incense burning. These values exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline of 100 microg m(-3) (88 ppbv) for formaldehyde. The highest formaldehyde level in the temple exceeds the WHO guideline by 3 times at peak incense burning hours. The mixing ratio of acrolein in the temple ranges from 20 to 99 ppbv, approaching or exceeding the WHO air quality guideline of 50 microg m(-3) (22 ppbv) for acrolein. Our measurements indicate that incense burning significantly elevates the concentrations of a number of carbonyls, most notably formaldehyde and acrolein, in the surrounding environments. This study provides preliminary insights on indoor air quality problems created by incense burning.     

Summer time haze characteristics of the urban atmosphere of Gwangju and the rural atmosphere of Anmyon, Korea

An extensive visibility monitoring was carried out simultaneously in the urban area of Gwangju and the rural area of Anmyon, Korea. This study examines patterns of visibility impairment and haze-forming pollutant concentrations on both sites resulting from natural and anthropogenic sources of gases and particles. Optical visibility measurements by a transmissometer, a nephelometer and an aethalometer provide aerosol light extinction, scattering, and absorption coefficients for both sites. In order to investigate the physico-chemical characteristics of atmospheric aerosols, aerosol samples were collected by various aerosol samplers at GJVMS (Gwangju Visibility Monitoring Station) and at KGAWO (Korea Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory), respectively. In addition, haze characteristics causing visibility impairment at those two sites were analyzed to obtain source contributions by regionally transported aerosols using grid analysis and display system (GrADS) from NECP reanalysis data. During the intensive monitoring period, ammonium sulfate was dominantly responsible for the fine particle mass loading at GJVMS, whereas organic carbon was the largest contributor at KGAWO. Light scattering by particles accounted for 52.8 to 81.3% of the range at the urban site, GJVMS and for 72.1 to 94.2% of the range at the rural site, KGAWO. Light absorption by the EC and NO₂ was between 14.5 and 34.8% at GJVMS, which was higher than the observed 1.1 ∼ 6.8% at KGAWO, respectively. Light scattering by aerosol was higher in the rural area than in the urban area. And organic carbon concentration was observed to be significantly higher than the concentration of elemental carbon at KGAWO. These haze-forming carbonaceous particles originate from anthropogenic pollutants at the urban atmosphere but they can be produced by natural environments such as marine and forest at the rural atmosphere.     

Predominant anthropogenic sources and rates of atmospheric mercury accumulation in southern Ontario recorded by peat cores from three bogs: comparison with natural "background" values (past 8000 years)

Peat cores from three bogs in southern Ontario provide a complete, quantitative record of net rates of atmospheric Hg accumulation since pre-industrial times. For comparison with modern values, a peat core extending back 8000 years was used to quantify the natural variations in Hg fluxes for this region, and their dependence on climatic change and land use history. The net mercury accumulation rates were separated into "natural" and "excess" components by comparing the Hg/Br ratios of modern samples with the long-term, pre-anthropogenic average Hg/Br. The average background mercury accumulation rate during the pre-anthropogenic period (from 5700 years BC to 1470 AD) was 1.4 +/- 1.0 microg m(-2) per year (n = 197). The beginning of Hg contamination from anthropogenic sources dates from AD 1475 at the Luther Bog, corresponding to biomass burning for agricultural activities by Native North Americans. During the late 17th and 18th centuries, deposition of anthropogenic Hg was at least equal to that of Hg from natural sources. Anthropogenic inputs of Hg to the bogs have dominated continuously since the beginning of the 19th century. The maximum Hg accumulation rates decrease in the order Sifton Bog, in the City of London, Ontario (141 microg Hg m(-2) per year), Luther Bog in an agricultural region (89 microg Hg m(-2) per year), and Spruce Bog which is in a comparatively remote, forested region (54 microg Hg m(-2) per year). Accurate age dating of recent peat samples using the bomb pulse curve of 14C shows that the maximum rate of atmospheric Hg accumulation occurred during AD 1956 and 1959 at all sites. In these (modern) samples, the Hg concentration profiles resemble those of Pb, an element which is known to be immobile in peat bogs. The correlation between these two metals, together with sulfur, suggests that the predominant anthropogenic source of Hg (and Pb) was coal burning. While Hg accumulation rates have gone into strong decline since the late 1950's, Hg deposition rates today still exceed the average natural background values by 7 to 13 times.