The atmosphere is the primary pathway by which mercury enters ecosystems. Despite the importance of atmospheric deposition, concentrations and chemistry of gaseous oxidized (GOM) and particulate-bound (PBM) mercury are poorly characterized. Here, three membranes (cation exchange (CEM), nylon, and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) membranes) were used as a means for quantification of concentrations and identification of the chemistry of GOM and PBM. Detailed HYSPLIT analyses were used to determine sources of oxidants forming reactive mercury (RM = PBM + GOM). Despite the coarse sampling resolution (1–2 weeks), a gradient in chemistry was observed, with halogenated compounds dominating over the Pacific Ocean, and continued influence from the marine boundary layer in Nevada and Utah with a periodic occurrence in Maryland. Oxide-based RM compounds arrived at continental locations via long-range transport. Nitrogen, sulfur, and organic RM compounds correlated with regional and local air masses. RM concentrations were highest over the ocean and decreased moving from west to east across the United States. Comparison of membrane concentrations demonstrated that the CEM provided a quantitative measure of RM concentrations and PTFE membranes were useful for collecting PBM. Nylon membranes do not retain all compounds with equal efficiency in ambient air, and an alternate desorption surface is needed.

中文翻译：

---

使用膜和详细的HYSPLIT分析来了解大气微粒，气态氧化和反应性汞化学

大气层是汞进入生态系统的主要途径。尽管重要的是大气沉积，但是气态氧化（GOM）和结合微粒（PBM）的汞的浓度和化学性质却很差。在这里，使用三种膜（阳离子交换（CEM），尼龙和聚四氟乙烯（PTFE）膜）作为定量浓度和鉴定GOM和PBM化学成分的手段。详细的HYSPLIT分析用于确定形成活性汞的氧化剂来源（RM = PBM + GOM）。尽管采样分辨率较粗糙（1-2周），但仍观察到化学梯度，太平洋上的卤代化合物占主导地位，内华达州和犹他州的海洋边界层继续产生影响，而马里兰州则周期性发生。氧化物基RM化合物通过远程运输到达大陆地区。氮，硫和有机RM化合物与区域和当地的空气质量相关。在整个海洋中，RM浓度最高，在整个美国从西向东移动。膜浓度的比较表明，CEM可定量测量RM浓度，而PTFE膜可用于收集PBM。尼龙膜不能在环境空气中以相同的效率保留所有化合物，因此需要备用的解吸表面。膜浓度的比较表明，CEM可定量测量RM浓度，而PTFE膜可用于收集PBM。尼龙膜不能在环境空气中以相同的效率保留所有化合物，因此需要备用的解吸表面。膜浓度的比较表明，CEM可定量测量RM浓度，而PTFE膜可用于收集PBM。尼龙膜不能在环境空气中以相同的效率保留所有化合物，因此需要备用的解吸表面。