Photochemistry of oxidized Hg(I) and Hg(II) species suggests missing mercury oxidation in the troposphere.

ABSTRACT: Mercury (Hg), a global contaminant, is emitted mainly in its elemental form Hg⁰ to the atmosphere where it is oxidized to reactive Hg^II compounds, which efficiently deposit to surface ecosystems. Therefore, the chemical cycling between the elemental and oxidized Hg forms in the atmosphere determines the scale and geographical pattern of global Hg deposition. Recent advances in the photochemistry of gas-phase oxidized Hg^I and Hg^II species postulate their photodissociation back to Hg⁰ as a crucial step in the atmospheric Hg redox cycle. However, the significance of these photodissociation mechanisms on atmospheric Hg chemistry, lifetime, and surface deposition remains uncertain. Here we implement a comprehensive and quantitative mechanis

SUBMITTER: Saiz-Lopez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7733835 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature