Mercury Concentrations, Precipitation, and Mercury Wet Deposition in the Great Lakes Region, by Martin Risch 1, David Gay 2, Kathleen Fowler 1, Gerard Keeler 3, Pierrette Blanchard 4, and Sean Backus 4 1 U.S.Geological Survey 2 University of Illinois 3 University of Michigan 4 Environment Canada
OBJECTIVE Prepare a summary of annual atmospheric mercury concentrations and wet deposition in the Great Lakes region by integrating data from monitoring programs in US states and Canada for
PURPOSES Quantify baseline conditions for comparison with future mercury reductions from emissions- control regulations. Display spatial patterns of annual atmospheric mercury concentrations and wet deposition through a time series of regional maps.
METHODS Great Lakes Region: 9 states in USA, 2 provinces in Canada Hg concentration data from 37 sites: 31 MDN, 4 UMAQL, 2 CAMNET Precipitation data from 1,757 sites in National Weather Service and Canadian Weather Service cooperative observer programs GIS map-grid technique for isopleth maps 75 percent complete annual record required
METHODS contd Mercury wet deposition typically more related to precipitation amount than to mercury concentration. More sites with precipitation data than sites with mercury data. Grid-map isopleth of annual concentrations + points with annual precipitation = points with annual wet deposition deposition isopleth.
Preliminary Data for Discussion Only July 2010
Annual Precipitation-Volume- Weighted Mercury Concentrations in Samples, nanograms per liter
Preliminary Data for Discussion Only July 2010
Annual Precipitation, in centimeters per year
Preliminary Data for Discussion Only July 2010
Annual Mercury Wet Deposition in micrograms per square meter per year
Preliminary Data for Discussion Only July 2010
PLANS FOR DISCUSSION Changes in concentration, deposition, and precipitation, Influences on areas of high deposition: - Precipitation vs. concentration; - Trends in precipitation and concentration; - Emissions sources and source controls. Direct deposition to Great Lakes waters.