Sampling and analitical methods for studies of atmospheric mercury

Abstract

The Minamata convention, a global agreement that aims to provide reduction of uses and emissions of mercury (Hg), has been signed in 2013 by 128 countries of the United Nations, among them, Brazil. Both atmospheric concentrations of Hg and its speciation can be used as indicators of emission sources. Furthermore, concentrations of Hg in rainwater allow to quantify the local/regional deposition, and thus allow to assess the risks of environmental contamination by this element. In Brazil, it has been estimated that the emissions of Hg originating from solid waste are approximately 12 t / year, and the emissions originating from the burning of the Amazon forest are approximately 6-9 t / year. However, there is no information about where and/or how these emissions are affecting the environment and human health. Considering the shortage of data, the "Preliminary Assessment on Mercury in Brazil" published by the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment in 2013 points to "the obvious need of data survey on concentration and speciation of mercury in the atmosphere". Therefore, this project aims: 1) to implement and to validate sampling and analytical methods for mercury determination in rain water; 2) to develop a passive sampler of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) based on gold nanoparticles which could be used for the mapping of risk areas of mercury emissions. (AU)