Over a decade of atmospheric mercury monitoring at Amsterdam Island in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

• Published in: Scientific Data
• Main Authors: Olivier Magand, Hélène Angot, Yann Bertrand, Jeroen E. Sonke, Laure Laffont, Solène Duperray, Léa Collignon, Damien Boulanger, Aurélien Dommergue
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Portfolio 2023
• Subjects: Science; Q; Antarctic; Indian; Amsterdam Island; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02740-9; https://doaj.org/article/de94337644f84c83afef774062792124

Abstract The Minamata Convention, a global and legally binding treaty that entered into force in 2017, aims to protect human health and the environment from harmful mercury (Hg) effects by reducing anthropogenic Hg emissions and environmental levels. The Conference of the Parties is to periodically evaluate the Convention’s effectiveness, starting in 2023, using existing monitoring data and observed trends. Monitoring atmospheric Hg levels has been proposed as a key indicator. However, data gaps exist, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we present over a decade of atmospheric Hg monitoring data at Amsterdam Island (37.80°S, 77.55°E), in the remote southern Indian Ocean. Datasets include gaseous elemental and oxidised Hg species ambient air concentrations from either active/continuous or passive/discrete acquisition methods, and annual total Hg wet deposition fluxes. These datasets are made available to the community to support policy-making and further scientific advancements.