2007/03/01 by Sarah A. Strode, Lyatt Jaeglé, Noelle E. Selin +6 · 1 citation
Environmental Science · #Isotope Analysis in Ecology #Mercury impact and mitigation studies #Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
paper · pdf · doi:10.1029/2006gb002766
openalex publication_date 2007/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
We present results from a new global atmospheric mercury model coupled with a mixed layer slab ocean. The ocean model describes the interactions of the mixed layer with the atmosphere and deep ocean, as well as conversion between elemental, divalent, and nonreactive mercury species. Our global mean aqueous concentrations of 0.07 pM elemental, 0.80 pM reactive, and 1.51 pM total mercury agree with observations. The ocean provides a 14.1 Mmol yr −1 source of mercury to the atmosphere, at the upper end of previous estimates. Re‐emission of previously deposited mercury constitutes 89% of this flux. Ocean emissions are largest in the tropics and downwind of industrial regions. Midlatitude ocean emissions display a large seasonal cycle induced by biological productivity. Oceans contribute 54% (36%) of surface atmospheric mercury in the Southern (Northern) Hemisphere. We find a large net loss of mercury to the deep ocean (8.7 Mmol yr −1 ), implying a ∼0.7%/year increase in deep ocean concentrations.