Total gaseous mercury (TGM) was monitored at Wanqingsha, a rural site in the central Pearl River Delta region, south China from 23 November to 22 December, 2008. TGM ranged 0.50–18.67 ng m −3 with an average of 2.94 ng m −3 . TGM was found to present a diurnal cycle with the maximum at 7:00–8:00 and the minimum at 14:00–16:00 (local time). The afternoon minimum in TGM were likely related to increased vertical mixing and the TGM oxidation by ozone, which was observed to negative correlation with TGM. A sudden increase in TGM from 6:00–7:00 could be due to activation of local surface emission sources by rising air temperature. Similar variations in TGM and trace gases including CO and SO 2 suggested potential anthropogenic sources contribution as well. Wind-rose patterns further indicated that the westerly wind might carry high concentration of TGM from the high mercury emission areas of Southwest China and/or local anthropogenic emission sources.