Articles | Volume 23, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3937-2023
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3937-2023
Research article
 | 
04 Apr 2023
Research article |  | 04 Apr 2023

Unexpectedly high concentrations of atmospheric mercury species in Lhasa, the largest city in the Tibetan Plateau

Huiming Lin, Yindong Tong, Long Chen, Chenghao Yu, Zhaohan Chu, Qianru Zhang, Xiufeng Yin, Qianggong Zhang, Shichang Kang, Junfeng Liu, James Schauer, Benjamin de Foy, and Xuejun Wang

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Cited articles

Brooks, S., Luke, W., Cohen, M., Kelly, P., Lefer, B., and Rappenglück, B.: Mercury species measured atop the Moody Tower TRAMP site, Houston, Texas, Atmos. Environ., 44, 4045–4055, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2009.02.009, 2010. 
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Chen, P., Kang, S., Bai, J., Sillanpää, M., and Li, C.: Yak dung combustion aerosols in the Tibetan Plateau: Chemical characteristics and influence on the local atmospheric environment, Atmos. Res., 156, 58–66, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2015.01.001, 2015. 
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Short summary
Lhasa is the largest city in the Tibetan Plateau, and its atmospheric mercury concentrations represent the highest level of pollution in this region. Unexpectedly high concentrations of atmospheric mercury species were found. Combined with the trajectory analysis, the high atmospheric mercury concentrations may have originated from external long-range transport. Local sources, especially special mercury-related sources, are important factors influencing the variability of atmospheric mercury.
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