Il mercurio in atmosfera e nelle acque del Mar Mediterraneo

The Mediterranean Sea plays an important role as a source and sink of several pollutants, via reemission and deposition pathways. Natural emissions are important sources of atmospheric pollutants including mercury (Hg), and, superimposed on this natural variability, numerous countries impact on Mediterranean air quality through industrial and urban emissions. Within the MEDOCEANOR program of the CNR and during the GMOS project, an oceanographic campaign called Fenice was carried out on-board the R/V Urania, during the summer of 2013 along the Eastern sector of the Mediterranean Sea basin. The ship route was characterized by scheduled stops and route legs. The main purpose of the research campaign was to collect information on the levels of Hg in air and in surface and deep seawater. For our atmospheric investigation, continuous measurements of Hg were carried out. Total mercury concentration in seawater was systematically measured at different depths from the sea bottom to the surface. In addition to previous measurements, spatial coverage and temporal pattern of atmospheric Hg concentrations of summer 2013 can contribute to study chemical and physical processes with the aim to understand Hg cycling in the Marine Boundary Layer at the remote locations. Finally, THg concentrations in surface and deep waters found in the Mediterranean basin will help to further our understanding of Hg marine distribution and its impact on the biogeochemical cycle of Hg in the open ocean.