Levels and Sources of Atmospheric Particle-Bound Mercury in Atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM₁₀) at Several Sites of an Atlantic Coastal European Region

Atmospheric particle-bound mercury (PHg) quantification, at a pg m⁻³ level, has been assessed in particulate matter samples (PM₁₀) at several sites (industrial, urban and sub-urban sites) of Atlantic coastal European region during 13 months by using a direct thermo-desorption method. Analytical method validation was assessed using 1648a and ERM CZ120 reference materials. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.25 pg m⁻³ and 0.43 pg m⁻³, respectively. Repeatability of the method was generally below 12.6%. PHg concentrations varied between 1.5–30.8, 1.5–75.3 and 2.27–33.7 pg m⁻³ at urban, sub-urban and industrial sites, respectively. PHg concentration varied from 7.2 pg m⁻³ (urban site) to 16.3 pg m⁻³ (suburban site) during winter season, while PHg concentrations varied from 9.9 pg m⁻³ (urban site) to 19.3 pg m⁻³ (suburban site) during the summer. Other trace elements, major ions, black carbon (BC) and UV-absorbing particulate matter (UV PM) was also assessed at several sites. Average concentrations for trace metals (Al, As, Bi, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Si, Sr, V and Zn) ranged from 0.08 ng m⁻³ (Bi) at suburban site to 1.11 µg m⁻³ (Fe) at industrial site. Average concentrations for major ions (including Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, NH₄⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻) ranged from 200 ng m⁻³ (K⁺) to 5332 ng m⁻³ (SO₄²⁻) at urban site, 166 ng m⁻³ (Mg²⁺) to 4425 ng m⁻³ (SO₄²⁻) at suburban site and 592 ng m⁻³ (K⁺) to 5853 ng m⁻³ (Cl⁻) at industrial site. Results of univariate analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) suggested crustal, marine and anthropogenic sources of PHg in PM₁₀ at several sites studied. Toxicity prediction of PHg, by using hazard quotient, suggested no non-carcinogenic risk for adults.