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Air‐sea exchange in the global mercury cycle
Author(s) -
Strode Sarah A.,
Jaeglé Lyatt,
Selin Noelle E.,
Jacob Daniel J.,
Park Rokjin J.,
Yantosca Robert M.,
Mason Robert P.,
Slemr Franz
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
global biogeochemical cycles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.512
H-Index - 187
eISSN - 1944-9224
pISSN - 0886-6236
DOI - 10.1029/2006gb002766
Subject(s) - mercury (programming language) , environmental science , northern hemisphere , southern hemisphere , atmospheric sciences , mixed layer , oceanography , biogeochemistry , atmosphere (unit) , tropics , climatology , geology , meteorology , geography , ecology , computer science , biology , programming language
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.