Volatile hydride and methyl compounds of selected elements formed in the marine environment

This review selectively describes volatile compounds of phosphorus, arsenic, sulfur, selenium, tin, lead and mercury in the marine environment with an emphasis on mercury. The discussion includes formation of volatile hydride, methyl, and mixed methyl/hydride compounds by biotic, abiotic, and mixed biotic/abiotic paths. The review also describes stabilities of the volatile compounds to water and oxygen, their environmental concentrations, and their marine fluxes to the atmosphere. Gross approximations of marine-to-atmosphere fluxes are: sulfur (9×1011 mol yr−1), selenium (2×108 mol yr−1), mercury (5×106 mol yr−1 in calm weather; 1×108 in stormy weather), and arsenic (8×107 mol yr−1).