Processes and sources controlling total gaseous mercury and uraban air quality in Syracuse, NY and Nanjing, China

Investigations of air quality were performed in Nanjing, China during 2011 and Syracuse, NY during 2013. The regional background of total gaseous mercury (TGM) in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) was estimated at 2.2 ng m-3. Global heterogeneity of free tropospheric TGM was hypothesized from background episodes. Emissions of TGM were underestimated up to 80% in the region. Additionally, high levels of TGM were attributed to local sources, transport, and the monsoon.;An air quality station measuring CO, CO2, TGM, and O 3 was built on the campus of SUNY ESF. The one hour peak mixing ratios of CO were estimated to have declined by 59% over 2000- 2013, more than EPA estimated 53%. Regional transport of O3 increased peak mixing ratios. TGM was influenced by local sources. Finally, Lake Ontario is hypothesized to facilitate transport of trace gas species based on the diel cycles of TGM, CO, and H2O.