Use of multi-element tracers to source apportion mercury in south Florida aerosols

The relative importance of local sources of mercury (Hg) in aerosols from urban areas in south Florida in relation to regional or global sources transported to the Everglades was investigated using a multi-element tracer approach. The sources of metals and Hg within aerosols were determined by integrating the collection of aerosols at seven locations with meteorology, source sampling, and statistical analysis. Sources include sea spray, soil dust from local carbonate bedrock and long range Saharan dust transport, regional scale transport of sulfate aerosols, and local point sources including oil-fired power plants, medical and waste incineration, and cement kilns. Using a principal components analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR) approach, 80% of the Hg in particulate form at the Thompson Park Everglades receptor site (THP) could be attributed to local sources. The key to the success of the source attribution at THP was collection of samples on a 12-h sampling basis in order to account for diurnal changes in meteorological conditions in south Florida associated with land–sea breeze development. Fifty-six±7% of the particulate Hg at THP was associated with elevated Zn concentrations which source sampling and surface meteorology indicate as emissions from municipal waste incineration located southeast of THP. Another 14±5% of the particulate Hg was associated with elevated Cu and Pb concentrations from sources SSE of THP. Eleven±1% of the particulate Hg originated from medical waste incineration sources and was associated with elevated levels of Cl and rapid SE to NW transport. Elevated concentrations of Si, Al, Fe, Mn, and K occurred on the same days at all sites, following passage of tropical storms over south Florida. PCA grouped these elements within a factor that is likely Saharan dust in origin, only 12±2% of the particulate Hg at THP could be attributed to this non-local source. Because the majority of the particulate Hg at THP can be attributed to emission sources located in nearby urban areas, regulations resulting in a reduction in particulate material emitted by industrial sources in south Florida will likely have a significant effect on reducing the flux of Hg and other trace metals in aerosol form to the Everglades.