'Integrating Knowledge to Inform Mercury Policy'

CEH measures many atmospheric chemicals at its EMEP superersite Auchencorth Moss, 15 miles south of Edinburgh in the Scottish Borders. Of interest with respect to the volcano is the measurement of hourly mercury concentrations and fluoride.  Volcanoes are a major natural source for mercury and it can be found in the gas phase and associated with volcanic ash. This link (CEH website) shows the most recent 5 days of mercury measurements.

Normal air concentrations at remote UK sites are between 1.4 -1.5 ng/m3. Higher concentrations can be seen if air has passed over a coal-burning power station, a crematorium, an industrial source of mercury or a volcano before reaching the site. If the plume from Eyjafjallajökull reached the ground we would expect to see a significant increase in concentration. When elevated mercury levels are observed, to verify the origin of the mercury links to the source, e.g. the volcano, would then need to be made by following the path of the air prior to reaching the measurement site. Even at concentrations several times larger than the norm, elemental mercury in air poses no threat to human health.