Spatial and temporal variations of total mercury in Antarctic snow along the transect from Zhongshan Station to Dome A

In this study, the concentrations of total mercury (THg) and ions deposited in the surface snow and snow pits in the eastern Antarctic along the 29th inland route of the Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition were analysed. The THg concentrations in the surface snow ranged from 0.22 to 8.29 ng/L and elevated concentrations were detected in the inland regions of higher altitudes (3000–4000 m). The spatial distribution of the THg in the snow pits showed greater inland concentrations with mean concentrations of