Study of Distribution and Behaviour of Mercury in Ambient Air

環境大氣中 水銀의 分布와 動態에 관한 연구(I)

This study was conducted to measure the diurnal variation and behaviour of atmospheric mercury in an urban area by gold amalgamation and cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results were as follows: 1. The Hg concentration in ambient air averaged. 21.13ng/m$^3$ for 111 determinations (C.V. 78.5) in urban area and 5.91ng/m$^3$ for 140 determinations (C.V. 21.3) in suburban area. The urban area concentration was significantly higher and fluctuated more than its rural counterpart. 2. Regression analysis of the interaction between mercury concentration and other components showed a significant correlation between mercury concentration and sulfur dioxide also, TSP were found. Mercury concentration was shown to have a similar behaviour, on the whole, with other air pollutants. 3. It demonstrated a positive correlation with sunlight (UV-ray), while it had a negative response to wind speed and humidity. Its concentration showed a tendensy to increase during calm weather specifically. 4. The Hg concentration at the Mt. Dok You inland clean area ranged from 1.33ng/m$^3$ to 2.0ng/m$^3$, with a mean value of 1.63ng/m$^3$.