Abstract: Due to its specific physicochemical nature, mercury (Hg) is a unique heavy metal pollutant that occurs mainly in gaseous elemental form (GEM) in the atmosphere and could be transported globally. Atmospheric Hg could be derived from both anthropogenic and natural sources. The establishment and improvement of global and regional Hg emission inventories play an important role in the studies of global cycling and environmental health perspective of Hg. Due to influence of complicated environmental factors, natural emissions of Hg in China and other regions worldwide are far from well studied compared to anthropogenic Hg emissions. Approximately onetenth of mainland China is located in the circumPacific mercuriferous belts and Hg emission fluxes from various landscapes in China are larger than those of the same type areas of Europe and North America. Over the past two decades, numerous studies regarding Hg emission fluxes from natural sources have been made in China, which contributed significantly to the development of the emission inventory of natural sources in China. In this study, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of the natural Hg emissions in China. This review examines the distribution patterns, influencing factors, and potential mechanisms underlying the Hg emission fluxes from natural sources in China. Additionally, we also highlight the limitations and research needs for natural Hg emissions in future studies.

Key words: biological parameter, stable age distribution., life table, Corythucha marmorata