Gaseous elemental mercury (Hg⁰) comprises the majority of atmospheric mercury (Hg) and results in long-range transport of Hg. Secondary emissions from the marine surface mixed layer result in spatial and temporal Hg⁰ variability, which subsequently determine marine pools of divalent mercury (Hg^II) available for methylation. We measured atmospheric Hg⁰ concentrations in the marine boundary layer (MBL) around North America in regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans (6.7°–77.3° N, 52.3°–150.0° W). Observed spatial Hg⁰ distributions across these regions match patterns revealed from current published biogeochemical models. These models have supported marine processes as the major factors controlling MBL Hg⁰. We observe differences in variability between ocean basins. Asian emissions appear to be well-mixed in the Eastern Pacific MBL, with stable measurements across a 3200 km transect in the North Pacific. Hg⁰ concentrations decrease but remain relatively stable in tropical regions of the Pacific and Atlantic. In contrast, we measured several 100–200 km regions of elevated Hg⁰ above North Atlantic surface waters. Repeated offshore sampling of Arctic Hg⁰ reveals strong seasonal trends that are similar to those collected at coastal long-term Arctic monitoring stations. These similarities suggest marine processes control seasonal Arctic trends, which are linked to sea ice formation and melt. Together our observations are consistent with marine controls on MBL Hg⁰ concentrations although further study is needed to fully distinguish between marine and atmospheric controls.

气态元素汞（Hg ⁰）占大气汞（Hg）的大部分，并导致Hg的远距离迁移。海洋表面混合层的二次排放导致Hg ^0的空间和时间变异性，随后确定了可用于甲基化的二价汞海洋汞（Hg ^II）池。我们测量了大西洋，太平洋和北冰洋地区（6.7°–77.3°N，52.3°–150.0°W）北美地区海洋边界层（MBL）中的大气Hg ⁰浓度。观测空间汞⁰这些区域的分布与当前发布的生物地球化学模型揭示的模式匹配。这些模型支持海洋过程，成为控制MBL Hg ⁰的主要因素。我们观察到大洋盆地之间变异性的差异。在东太平洋MBL中，亚洲的排放似乎很混杂，在北太平洋3200公里的横断面上，测量结果稳定。在太平洋和大西洋的热带地区，Hg ⁰浓度降低，但保持相对稳定。相反，我们测量了北大西洋地表水上方Hg ⁰升高的几个100-200 km地区。重复进行北极汞的近海采样⁰揭示了强烈的季节性趋势，类似于在沿海长期北极监测站采集的季节性趋势。这些相似之处表明，海洋过程控制着北极的季节性趋势，这与海冰的形成和融化有关。我们的观察结果与MBL Hg ⁰浓度的海洋控制一致，尽管需要进一步研究以完全区分海洋控制和大气控制。