CONSIDERATIONS OF THE ENRICHMENT, SOURCES, AND FLUX OF ARSENIC IN THE TROPOSPHERE.

Abstract

The tropospheric burden of arsenic has been estimated from representative global surface concentrations and an estimated small particle tropospheric scale height of 3. 9 km to be about 8 multiplied by 10**8g As. Total atmospheric arsenic emissions from both natural and anthropogenic sources have been estimated to be 31 multiplied by 10**9g As/yr. On a global basis, the major source of atmospheric arsenic appears to be from anthropogenic volatilization processes, and the major natural sources of arsenic appear to be volcanoes and the terrestrial biosphere. Total atmospheric arsenic removal is estimated to be 30-50 multiplied by 10**9g As/yr. The global tropospheric residence time of arsenic appears to be about 9 days.