Total gaseous mercury in Kathmandu, a South Asian metropolis: Temporal variations, sources apportionment and health risk assessment

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2024-11, Vol.483, p.136644, Article 136644
• Main Authors: Rawat, Bakhat, Yin, Xiufeng, Sharma, Chhatra Mani, Tripathee, Lekhendra, Truong, Minh Tri, Tiwari, Pravash, Kandel, Kshitiz, Kang, Shichang, Zhang, Qianggong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Influencing factors; Potential sources; Seasonal and diurnal variation; South Asia; Total gaseous mercury
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136644

South Asia is a global hotspot of air pollution gaining attention due to its severe implications, in which atmospheric mercury (Hg) could cause detrimental health effects in metropolitan areas. In this study, first-time year-round (January – December 2019) mean total gaseous mercury (TGM) concentration at Kathmandu, Nepal - a sub-tropical city in South Asia was reported at 9.9 ± 10.0 ng m-3. Seasonal TGM variation at Kathmandu showed highest concentration in winter (16.8 ± 16.9 ng m-3) and lowest in summer (2.9 ± 2.1 ng m-3). Generally higher daytime TGM concentration as opposed to night-time TGM indicated Hg build-up within atmospheric boundary layer due to low wind speed and high humidity. Events with high wind speed (> 30 m s-1) induced regional pollutant transport from nearby brick kilns and cement factories. Principal component analysis associated a major part of TGM with PM2.5 and CO and indicated the remarkable influence of fuel combustion and vehicular emissions. Backward trajectory and potential source contribution factor analysis further indicate the impact of regional Hg emissions and transboundary emissions from India towards Nepal, which expands beyond the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau. Prominent low-grade coal burning and kilning activities in winter spiked up TGM concentrations, resulting in the highest health quotient (HQ = 0.24) value, which could significantly impact public health. Our study presented the most comprehensive set of continuous annual atmospheric Hg monitoring data from Nepal in the South Asian region. The results serve as a baseline for regional atmospheric Hg levels and offer a critical reference for assessing and addressing air pollution concerns in Nepal as well as throughout South Asia. [Display omitted] •First study reporting full-year continuous total gaseous mercury (TGM) in South Asia.•TGM showed higher concentrations in winter and lower in summer.•Local anthropogenic sources (vehicular emission, coal combustion, biomass burning) elevated the TGM.•The health of residents in Kathmandu is more prone to atmospheric mercury in winter.