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International field intercomparison of atmospheric mercury measurement methods

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Abstract

To determine the extent of comparability of sampling and analytical procedures for atmospheric mercury (Hg) being used by different scientific groups around the world and hence the compatibility of measurement results, the Atmospheric Environment Service (AES) co-ordinated a field intercomparison study in Windsor, Ontario, over a period of 5 days- during Sept./Oct.,1993. This study brought together 2 groups (University of Michigan Air Quality Laboratory; Chemistry Institute of GKSS) which performed conventional (manual) sample collection procedures for total gaseous mercury (TGM) and for particulate-phase mercury (PPM), followed by cold-vapor atomic fluorescence spectrophotometric (CVAFS) analysis in the respective laboratories. Two other groups (Ontario Hydro, and the Ontario Ministry of Environment & Energy) each operated a novel mercury vapor analyzer produced by Tekran Inc. of Toronto. As is the case for the manual methods, this analyzer also uses gold amalgamation and CVAFS. During the intercomparison, meteorological parameters (air temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed/direction and relative humidity) were obtained at the study site.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environment Canada:AES, 4905 Dufferin Street, M3H 5T4, Downsview, Ontario, Canada

    W. H. Schroeder

  2. School of Public Health, The University of Michigan, 48109-2029, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    G. Keeler

  3. GKSS Research Centre, Chemistry Institute, P.O. Box 1160, D-21494, Geesthacht, Germany

    H. Kock

  4. Research Division, Ontario Hydro, 800 Kipling Avenue, M8Z 5S4, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    P. Roussel

  5. Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Energy, Resources Road, M9P 3V6, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada

    D. Schneeberger

  6. Tekran Inc., 169 Oakwood Avenue, M6E 2V1, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    D. Schneeberger & F. Schaedlich

Authors
  1. W. H. Schroeder
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  2. G. Keeler
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  3. H. Kock
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  4. P. Roussel
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  5. D. Schneeberger
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  6. F. Schaedlich
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Schroeder, W.H., Keeler, G., Kock, H. et al. International field intercomparison of atmospheric mercury measurement methods. Water Air Soil Pollut 80, 611–620 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189713

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189713

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