First investigation of an original device dedicated to the determination of gaseous mercury in interstitial air in snow.

The GAMAS (gaseous mercury in interstitial air in snow) instrument developed in our laboratory is a new device devoted to sampling and determination of gaseous mercury concentration in interstitial air in snow. Sampling probes inserted in the snowpack, coupled with a Gardis mercury vapour analyser, provide reliable and original data of vertical profiles of both snow temperature and gaseous mercury concentration at several depths in a snow mantle. This instrument has been tested successfully in Station Nord in Greenland in February-March 2002. A description of this instrument, of the sampling area and its setting up is presented with precise details. Illustrations of the first investigations are given showing a rapid decrease of gaseous mercury concentration simultaneously with depth. A concentration of 0.10 ng/m(3) is reached at 120 cm depth. It may be the result of fast oxidation processes occurring within the snowpack. Gaseous mercury behaviour in the snowpack is a central parameter to elucidate the fate of deposited mercury after mercury depletion events in polar regions. With our new device, we have now the opportunity to determine this key parameter.