Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
12:59
A Study of the Complexation of Mercury(II) with Dicysteinyl Tetrapeptides by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: January 8, 2016
Modeling mercury in power plant plumes
Kristen Lohman1, Christian Seigneur, Eric Edgerton
1Atmospheric & Environmental Research, Inc., 2682 Bishop Drive, Suite 120, San Ramon, California 94583, USA.
Environmental Science & Technology
|July 13, 2006
Summary
Measurements show divalent mercury (HgII) decreases in power plant plumes, but models don't explain why. Researchers propose unknown reactions reduce HgII to elemental mercury (Hg0), suggesting atmospheric mercury models need updates.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric chemistry
- Environmental science
- Chemical kinetics
Background:
- Coal-fired power plants are significant sources of atmospheric mercury (Hg).
- Mercury speciation (HgII vs. Hg0) critically influences its deposition and environmental fate.
- Observed HgII depletion in plumes contradicts current atmospheric chemistry models.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the discrepancy between observed and modeled mercury speciation downwind of power plants.
- Identify potential chemical pathways responsible for mercury transformation in plumes.
- Improve the accuracy of atmospheric mercury transport and deposition models.
Main Methods:
- Simulated nine power plant plume events using the Reactive & Optics Model of Emissions (ROME).
- Conducted sensitivity studies on HgII dry deposition velocity and cloud chemistry impacts.
- Incorporated potential HgII reduction pathways (pseudo-first-order decay, SO2 reaction) into model simulations.
Main Results:
- ROME simulations failed to reproduce the observed significant depletion of HgII.
- Neither dry deposition velocity nor cloud chemistry alone explained the HgII reduction.
- Including novel HgII reduction pathways improved model agreement with ambient measurements.
Conclusions:
- An unknown chemical reaction likely reduces HgII to Hg0 within coal-fired power plant plumes.
- Laboratory studies are needed to confirm and characterize these proposed HgII reduction pathways.
- Atmospheric mercury models may require modifications to account for HgII reduction in plumes.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Typical Model Studies
Fluid mechanics model studies often utilize scaled-down systems to predict fluid behavior in full-scale environments, such as river flows, dam spillways, and structures interacting with open surfaces. Maintaining Froude number similarity in river models is crucial, as it replicates surface flow features like wave patterns and velocities.
01:30Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Interference
In atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), high-temperature atomizers excite a broad range of elements and molecules that generate complex emissions from sources such as oxides, hydroxides, and flame combustion products in the flame or plasma. Several strategies can be employed to minimize spectral interferences caused by overlapping emission lines or bands. These include increasing instrument resolution, choosing alternative emission lines, optimally placing the detector in low-background regions,...
01:02Flame Photometry: Overview
Flame photometry, also known as flame emission spectrometry, is a technique used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of elements present in a sample using a flame as the source of excitation energy. The concept of flame photometry was realized in the early 1860s by Kirchhoff and Bunsen, who discovered that specific elements emit characteristic radiation when excited in flames. The first instrument developed for this purpose was used to measure sodium (Na) in plant ash using a Bunsen...