Measurements at the Mauna Loa Observatory stopped after the 2022 eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano, when lava flow crossed the access road and took out power lines to the facility. The observatory remains inaccessible by vehicle and without power from the local utility company.

Observatory staff has established limited solar power in four observatory buildings and restored approximately 33 percent of the measurements onsite, including the Global Monitoring Laboratory and Scripps critical CO2 records and other atmospheric measurements.

Media can contact: Theo Stein (303) 819-7409 (theo.stein@noaa.gov) or Karin Vergoth 303-632-6413‬ (karin.vergoth@noaa.gov)

Organization(s):

EPA logo National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) /Air Resources Laboratory (R/ARL)

What does this program measure?

  • Elemental gaseous mercury (ng m-3)
  • Inorganic divalent reactive gaseous mercury (pg m-3)
  • Particulate phase mercury (pg m-3);
  • Fine (<2.5 m m) particulate matter for trace element analysis (ng m-3)
  • Coarse (2.5 - 10 m m) particulate matter for trace element analysis (ng m-3)
  • Gas and particulate phase ions (primarily halides) (ng m-3).

How does this program work?

Mercury is measured via cold vapor atomic fluorescence. Particulate matter is measured with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence & high resolution magnetic sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Major ions are measured via ion chromatography.

The instruments used include: Tekran Model 2537A Mercury Vapor Analyzer, Tekran Model 1130 Reactive Gaseous Mercury Sampling Unit, Tekran Model 1135 Particulate Mercury Sampling Unit, Tekran Model 2505 Primary Source Calibration Unit.

These instruments are capable of performing automated continuous or semi-continuous collection and analysis of the three forms of atmospheric mercury using the National Exposure Research Laboratories (NERL) methodology.

Why is this research important?

In order to investigate mechanisms of elemental gaseous mercury oxidation in the free troposphere and to evaluate trans-Pacific transport of mercury species. A goal is to accumulate a long-term record of ambient Elemental Mercury (Hg O), Reactive Gaseous Mercury forms (RGM), and Particulate Mercury (Hg P) chemistry to support atmospheric mercury chemistry research; to establish a baseline mercury measurement station; and to investigate the long range transport of mercury from South East Asia across the Pacific.

Are there any trends in the data?

It is too early to tell.

How does this program fit into the big picture?

What is it's role in global climate change?

Not Applicable.

Comments and References

Lead Investigator(s):

Winston Luke
301) 713-0971

MLO Contact(s):

Aidan Colton
808-933-6965 (x233)
Poai Suganuma
808-933-6965 (x232)

Web Site(s)

http://www.epa.gov/heasdweb/ecab/staff/landis.htm

http://www.epa.gov/heasdweb

Date Started

July 30, 2001

Related Programs

EPA Aethalometer
EPA Mercury Precipitation
EPA Ambient Ion Monitor
EPA Dichotomous Partisol
EPA Fine Particle Sampler
EPA Sulfur Dioxoide
EPA Surface Ozone

Photographs:
EPA Mercury Analyzer
Mercury sampler
Upper Interior of Mercury Analyzer
Mercury sampler upper interior
Lower Interior of Mercury Analyzer
Mercury sampler lower interior
EPA Mercury Denuders
Denuders
EPA Mercury Denuder oven
Denuder oven in chem lab
Coating Denuders
Coating denuders in chem lab
EPA Equipment Deck at MLO
EPA tower
Aidan Colton with Mercury Analyzer
Aidan Colton with analyzer