CICEET Progress Report for the period 3/01/09 Through 8/31/09

Project Title: Development of a suitable method for the measurement of the dry deposition of elemental mercury and reactive gaseous mercury to coastal ecosystems.
Principal Investigator(s): R. Mason, D. Miller and J. Edson
Project Start Date: 9/1/2007 (although funding for the project was delayed)
Report Compiled by: Robert Mason, University of Connecticut

A. Progress on Project Objectives for This Reporting Period
a) Objectives:
The primary objective was the completion of the reconfiguration of the old
relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) system, which was designed primarily for the
measurement of elemental mercury (Hg0), to a system that could measure both
reactive gaseous mercury (RGHg) and Hg0, and to do the required initial tests to
demonstrate its capabilities, and to prepare for outdoor measurement activities that
would be completed as part of the project.

b) Work Plan to Meet Objectives:
Tests of the system were to be performed within the laboratory and outside at the
University of Connecticut (Avery Point campuses) if possible during the summer, to
adjust parameter settings and demonstrate the applicability of the technique. Also,
testing was designed to ascertain if the working approach was feasible and if any
modifications needed to be made. Any adjustments to the system were to be
implemented at this stage.

c) Progress on Tasks:
Susan Gichuki, a graduate student, coupled with efforts by a post-doctoral student
in the laboratory (Maria Andersson, who is not paid from the project), and Prentiss
Balcom, a research technician in the department, has lead to some important design
changes that will improve the final product, especially in terms of the denuder
modules, their heating and the overall design of the system. The initial intent was to
manually insert and remove the denuders and analyze these separately from the
instrument but it was subsequently realized that this would be too disruptive and
difficult to do, especially if the system was field deployed. Thus, design and effort
has been put into modifying the system so that the heating of the denuders could take
place in line, similar in operation therefore to the overall working approach of the
Tekran speciation unit. This required design of heating mantles and writing a program
to do this and to make the overall system as automated as possible. This has required
ordering special equipment and having some parts machine made at the University
and this lead to some delay in the progress such that it has not yet been possible to
deploy the instrument outside. The overall approach and design has however now
been finalized.

The people working on the project met recently and discussed the progress, and
worked on solutions to the remaining problems. During the testing of the system there
are still some plumbing and other issues that need to be resolved as they are not
appropriate. Flow problems have been sorted out so that the inlet of the denuders
have a defined and constant inlet flow and this has been demonstrated to be within the
required specifications.

Further testing of the system is currently underway and it is hoped to deploy the
instrument outside in the next months. Presently, options are being explored for a
suitable platform for the deployment of the instrument in an environment where the
flow field is suitable for the initial testing of the device. A site has been identified but
there is some further work that is needed to make it suitable for the prescribed task.
The construction of the required outdoor platform needs the purchase of equipment
that will be done by another professor using other resources and the details need to be
finalized. There has been some delay as a result of discussions with the University
maintenance and administration as there is a need to construct the platform so that it
does not interfere with the functioning of other facilities and fits with the aesthetics of
the environment. Once the initial testing indoors is complete, and the construction of
the platform completed, the equipment will be moved for testing outdoors.

d) Status of Project Objectives:
The results/data gathered during this reporting period have not changed the
project objectives compared to the original proposal. The project results and progress
to date, while perhaps slower than initially anticipated, can be reasonably explained
and was due to the reasons outlined above. This has not changed the overall project
objectives as it appears that these can still be achieved. The configuration that will be
used is still identical overall to that proposed previously.

B. Dissemination Activities:
There was not sufficient data accumulated during the current reporting period to
warrant any presentations in the near future. It is hoped that later in the year that the
initial presentation of results at meetings will take place.

C. Data Generated:
No reliable data has been generated to date.

Difficulties:
As noted above there have been some short-term difficulties and important design
modifications that will overall improve the product: 1) development of in-line heating
capabilities and the improvement of the design, and changing of configuration, to
allow this to occur; 2) problems with the instrument and the need to install new parts
and recalibrate the instrument.

D. End User/ Producer/ Adopter Advisor(s) Feedback:
The completed progress reports have been submitted to the Advisor for feedback
but none has been received at this junction. This report will also be submitted. No
response can be made at this time.

End User Advisor: Alan Van Arsdale
Organization: USEPA Region 1 - New England Regional Laboratory
Location: 11 Technology Drive
North Chelmsford, MA 01863-2431
Phone number: (617) 918-8610
E-mail: vanarsdale.alan@epa.gov

E. Project Objectives for Next Reporting Period:
a) Objectives:
Complete the reconfiguration and test the system outside at the University of
Connecticut Avery Point campus to adjust parameter settings and demonstrate the
usefulness of the technique. Perform field validation tests of the overall system by the
end of the year.

b) Work Plan to Meet Objectives:
The configuration development and testing will continue in the Marine Sciences
Department on the Avery Point campus of the University of Connecticut, and a
student and technician will be working specifically on this project this fall. As the site
for the testing of the system outdoors has been identified, as soon as possible the
system will be deployed outside and further evaluated. A low tower (~10 m) will be
erected to ensure that the flow field around the sampler is uniform.

c) Dissemination Objectives for next reporting period:
It is hoped that there will be sufficient data accumulated during the upcoming
reporting period to warrant a presentation at meetings in the spring of 2010.

d) Overall Project Timeline Update:
It does not appear at this stage that there is any need to change the overall project
timeline

Expenditures
Expenditures to date are as anticipated.