Estimation of Atmospheric Input and Evasion Fluxes of Mercury to and from the Great Lakes

Using Lake Ontario as an example, this paper presents estimates of atmospheric inputs of mercury based on an atmospheric deposition and air-water exchange paradigm, invoking recent environmental measurement data obtained in the vicinity of this lake. These calculations consider not only direct deposition (wet & dry) to the lake surface, but also take into account atmospheric loading to the surrounding watershed (drainage basin), as well as mass transfer of elemental Hg at the air-water interface.