Vertical Profiles of Gaseous elementary Hg production potential along 155? E in the North Pacific

Abstract

Gaseous elementary mercury (Hg⁰) is present throughout seawater, yet its production mechanisms are poorly understood. Vertical profiles of Hg⁰ production potential along 155º E in the North Pacific using stable Hg isotope tracers were investigated in this study. The produced Hg⁰ amounts from the inorganic Hg tracer were nearly uniform throughout the water column, on the other hand, the produced Hg⁰ amounts from the monomethyl Hg tracer in the deep ocean were much larger than the shallow mixed layer. The inverse relationships between Hg⁰ production amounts and seawater temperature, and dissolved oxygen concentrations were indicated.