Application of the quartz crystal microbalance method for measuring mercury in the air of working environments involved to artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM)

Abstract

Artisanal small gold mining (ASGM) is responsible for approximately 40% of the total Hg emissions into the atmosphere worldwide. In developing countries, many people are engaged in ASGM activities. We developed a small, simple Hg measuring device, which detects Hg in the air based on the change of the oscillation frequency of an Au electrode on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). This device is called QCM-Hg. We tested the viability of the QCM-Hg in various work settings including a gold mining area and gold shops. In working environments with an airborne Hg concentration of several μg m-3, the changing rate of the oscillation frequency for either 2 or 3 min corresponded with the Hg concentrations measured using the conventional method of gold amalgamation and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometer (CVAAS). The results revealed that the QCM-Hg is a useful device for real-time Hg monitoring in actual working environments related to ASGM activities and Hg treatment facilities.