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GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES, VOL. 21, GB1017, doi:10.1029/2006GB002766, 2007

Air-sea exchange in the global mercury cycle

Sarah A. Strode

Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA


Lyatt Jaeglé

Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA


Noelle E. Selin

Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA


Daniel J. Jacob

Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA


Rokjin J. Park

Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA


Robert M. Yantosca

Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA


Robert P. Mason

Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, Connecticut, USA


Franz Slemr

Air Chemistry Division, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany


Abstract

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.

Received 21 May 2006; accepted 17 October 2006; published 17 March 2007.

Keywords: air-sea exchange; mercury; ocean.

Index Terms: 0330 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Geochemical cycles (1030); 0322 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Constituent sources and sinks; 0312 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Air/sea constituent fluxes (3339, 4504).

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Citation: Strode, S. A., L. Jaeglé, N. E. Selin, D. J. Jacob, R. J. Park, R. M. Yantosca, R. P. Mason, and F. Slemr (2007), Air-sea exchange in the global mercury cycle, Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 21, GB1017, doi:10.1029/2006GB002766.