Patterns of Mercury Deposition and Concentration in Northeastern North America (1996–2002)

Data from 13 National Atmospheric Deposition Program Mercury Monitor Network (NADP/MDN) monitoring stations (1996–2002) and the Underhill (VT) event-based monitoring site (1993–2002) were evaluated for spatial and temporal trends. More precipitation and mercury deposition occurred in the southern and coastal MDN sites, except for the Underhill site, which received more mercury deposition than surrounding sites. Precipitation patterns varied. Regionally, higher concentrations of mercury were recorded during the late spring and summer months. Several sub-regional clusters of MDN sites were evident, based on mercury deposition patterns. In general, more mercury was deposited during the summer months. “Enhanced” weekly deposition (>250 ng/m 2 ) and distinct seasonal deposition patterns were evident at all MDN sites. Regionally, high depositional periods contributed significantly to annual loads (<20%–~60%). Southern and coastal sites measured more frequent periods of high deposition than inland sites. Spring and summer “enhanced” deposition may be important contributing factors to mercury bioaccumulation during the growing season. Recent regional reductions of mercury emissions were not reflected in the regional mercury concentration or deposition data. Few sites showed linear relations between the concentration of mercury in precipitation and acid rain co-contaminants (sulfates and nitrates).Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44442/1/10646_2004_Article_6258.pd

Estimation and Mapping of Wet and Dry Mercury Deposition Across Northeastern North America

Whereas many ecosystem characteristics and processes influence mercury accumulation in higher trophic-level organisms, the mercury flux from the atmosphere to a lake and its watershed is a likely factor in potential risk to biota. Atmospheric deposition clearly affects mercury accumulation in soils and lake sediments. Thus, knowledge of spatial patterns in atmospheric deposition may provide information for assessing the relative risk for ecosystems to exhibit excessive biotic mercury contamination. Atmospheric mercury concentrations in aerosol, vapor, and liquid phases from four observation networks were used to estimate regional surface concentration fields. Statistical models were developed to relate sparsely measured mercury vapor and aerosol concentrations to the more commonly measured mercury concentration in precipitation. High spatial resolution deposition velocities for different phases (precipitation, cloud droplets, aerosols, and reactive gaseous mercury (RGM)) were computed using inferential models. An empirical model was developed to estimate gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) deposition. Spatial patterns of estimated total mercury deposition were complex. Generally, deposition was higher in the southwest and lower in the northeast. Elevation, land cover, and proximity to urban areas modified the general pattern. The estimated net GEM and RGM fluxes were each greater than or equal to wet deposition in many areas. Mercury assimilation by plant foliage may provide a substantial input of methyl-mercury (MeHg) to ecosystems.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44443/1/10646_2004_Article_6259.pd

Estimating Estuarine Pollutant Loading from Atmospheric Deposition Using Casco Bay, Maine as a Case Study

This paper provides a simple method for estimating the annual rate of direct atmospheric deposition of pollutants to an estuary when little or no local monitoring data is available. The approach we describe uses relevant regional data as well as literature values. The Casco Bay Estuary, located in the southwestern Maine, is used as a case study. The paper also includes the results of a field air deposition monitoring program conducted in Casco Bay (1998 - 2000) and favorably compares the estimates developed for rate of deposition of nitrogen, mercury and PAHs to the field monitoring results. The estimation approach is a useful starting point for understanding the sources of pollutants entering water bodies that cannot be accounted for through run-off or point source discharges

The lymphotoxin-α (LTα) subunit is essential for the assembly, but not for the receptor specificity, of the membrane-anchored LTα1β2 heterotrimeric ligand

10.1074/jbc.272.31.19451Journal of Biological Chemistry2723119451-19456JBCH