Spatial and Temporal Changes and Influencing Factors of Mercury in Urban Agglomeration Land Patterns: A Case from Changchun Area, Old Industrial Base of Northeast China

Mercury, a global pollutant with high biotoxicity, is widely distributed in soils, water bodies, and the atmosphere. Anthropogenic activities such as industrial emissions and coal combustion release large quantities of mercury into the environment, posing health risks to human populations. Strict implementation of the Minamata Convention and innovative remediation technologies can mitigate escalating environmental and public health risks. This study investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of mercury in soils and atmosphere across four spatial scales (central city, county, township, and village) within the Changchun urban agglomeration, China. During spring, summer, and autumn of 2023, surface soil and atmospheric mercury concentrations (at 0 cm and 100 cm) were measured using LUMEX RA-915+ at 361 sites. Soil mercury exhibited seasonal variability, with a mean concentration of 46.2 µg/kg, showing peak values in spring and troughs in summer; concentrations decreased by 29.40% from spring to summer, followed by a 27.85% rebound in autumn. Spatially, soil mercury concentrations exhibited a core–periphery decreasing gradient (central city > county > township > village). Average concentrations at county, township, and village levels were 9.92%, 35.07%, and 42.11% lower, respectively, than those in the central city. Atmospheric mercury displayed seasonal variations; mean concentrations at 0 cm and 100 cm heights were 6.13 ng/m3 and 6.75 ng/m3, respectively, both peaking in summer. At 0 cm, summer concentrations increased by 35.61% compared to spring, then declined by 35.96% in autumn; at 100 cm, summer concentrations rose by 49.39% from spring and decreased by 31.08% in autumn. Atmospheric mercury at both heights decreased from the central city to the peripheries, with reductions of approximately 40% at 0 cm and 37–39% at 100 cm. Atmospheric mercury dynamics were significantly correlated with meteorological parameters such as temperature and humidity. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed scale-dependent clustering patterns: soil mercury Moran’s I ranked central city > county > village > township, while atmospheric mercury followed township > village > county > central city. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that different spatial scales had a significant negative effect on soil mercury concentrations, atmospheric mercury concentrations at 0 cm and 100 cm, and mercury and its compounds emissions. Organic matter content had a significant positive effect on soil mercury content. Temperature and humidity positively influenced near-surface atmospheric mercury. This multi-scale approach elucidates urban agglomeration mercury dynamics, highlighting core–periphery pollution gradients and seasonal patterns, thereby providing empirical evidence for regional mercury transport studies and providing a scientific foundation for future heavy metal management strategies.