Sargasso Mercury

Air-sea exchange is the major source for, and sink for, ocean mercury (Hg) although the details of these processes are still poorly understood. The proposed research is designed to extend and enhance observations made in the North Atlantic on prior cruises as well as reinforce findings from the studies under GEOTRACES in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. The techniques to be used on the cruises have been refined on these prior endeavors. The research project is aimed at measuring the air-sea exchange of mercury in the ocean and atmosphere in and around Bermuda. Samples will also be collected at the Bermuda atmospheric station and on the research cruises on the RV Atlantic Explorer. Some equipment will also be deployed on the regular BATS cruises on the Atlantic Explorer but these are not part of the current request. The support of BIOS has been obtained to enable the collections at the atmospheric station and for the sampling on the BATS cruises and these are not part of the current request. Samples will eb collected in air and water continuously while the ship is moving as well as at specific stations where the upper water column will eb sampled. it is expected that the majority of teh time will eb spent with the ship underway.