Gaseous Elemental Mercury (GEM) in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area

Abstract

This paper presents atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) data recorded during two short-term monitoring surveys in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) at 12th May 2019 and at 22nd May 2020, during conditions of low and high human activity respectively. Results, although they are limited, can be considered as the representative range of exposure to GEM of the inhabitants of MCMA; differences in results reveal the impact of human activities on GEM background levels (2.53 and 3.76 ng m−3, respectively). GEM concentrations and their spatial distribution does not allow for the identification of important industrial sources and do not reach intervention pollution levels. The activity of the Popocatépetl volcano is not likely to have an effect on GEM in the MCMA. In spite the evident decrease in GEM concentrations compared with data previously reported, monitoring must be carried out routinely given Mexico’s participation in the Minamata Convention on Mercury.