Evaluating atmospheric mercury (Hg) uptake by vegetation in a chemistry-transport model.

Mercury (Hg), a neurotoxic heavy metal, is transferred to marine and terrestrial ecosystems through atmospheric transport. Recent studies have highlighted the role of vegetation uptake as a sink for atmospheric elemental mercury (Hg) and a source of Hg to soils. However, the global magnitude of the Hg vegetation uptake flux is highly uncertain, with estimates ranging 1000-4000 Mg per year.