Mercury as a pollutant in Siberia: sources, fluxes and a regional budget

Results of an investigation of natural and anthropogenic mercury emissions in Siberia are summarized with quantitative estimates of 70 t year−1 for natural sources and 340 t year−1 for anthropogenic sources. An approximate atmospheric budget of mercury for this region and its contribution to the global mercury cycle is calculated based on estimates of emissions and precipitation of mercury. The net deposition of Hg from the atmosphere turns out to be approximately 40–50 t year−1. The total Hg balance in the environment of Siberia is also estimated.