Atmospheric particle evolution during a nighttime atmospheric mercury depletion event in sub-Arctic at Kuujjuarapik/Whapmagoostui, Que´bec, Canada

During a field experiment at Kuujjuarapik/Whapmagoostui (55.31jN, 77.75jW), Que´bec, we observed increases of concentrations of particles with diameters larger than 0.3 Am in the ambient air during a nighttime atmospheric mercury depletion event (AMDE). These increases were strongly correlated with decreases of ozone and atmospheric mercury, and we also observed a change in the particle size distribution during this AMDE. Assuming that these phenomena imply either a chemical link or an association through transport, we also studied the nature of this AMDE. We hypothesize that the observed AMDE was a result of an influx of already depleted air masses and that it was not a product of local chemical reactions.