Stable Isotopes Reveal Photoreduction of Particle-Bound Mercury Driven by Water-Soluble Organic Carbon during Severe Haze

Haze with high loading of particles may result in significant enrichment of particle-bound Hg (PBM), potentially impacting the atmospheric Hg transformation and transport. However, the dynamics of Hg transformation and the relative environmental effect during severe haze episodes remain unclear. Here, we report Hg isotopic compositions of atmospheric particles (PM2.5, PM10, and TSP) collected during a severe haze episode in Tianjin, China, to investigate the transformation and fate of Hg during haze events. All severe haze samples display significantly higher Delta Hg-199 (up to 1.50 parts per thousand) than global urban PBM, which cannot be explained by primary anthropogenic emissions. The high A(199)Hg is likely caused by photoreduction of PBM promoted by water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) during the particle accumulation period, as demonstrated by the positive correlations of Delta Hg-199 with WSOC and relative humidity and confirmed by our laboratory-controlled photoreduction experiment. The results show that, on average, 21% of PBM are likely photoreduced and re-emitted back to the atmosphere as Hg(0), potentially requiring revision of atmospheric Hg budgeting and modeling. This study highlights the release of large portions of PBM back to the gas phase through photoreduction, which needs to be taken into account while evaluating the atmospheric Hg cycle and the relative ecological effects.

Automated summary

Haze with high particle loading can lead to enrichment of particle-bound Hg (PBM), which may impact the transformation and transport of atmospheric Hg. This study reveals that photoreduction of PBM during haze episodes can result in a significant release of Hg back to the atmosphere. This process may require revision of atmospheric Hg budgeting and modeling.