Abstract
The present and future air contamination by mercury is and will continue to be a serious risk for human health. This publication presents a review of the literature dealing with the issues related to air contamination by mercury and its transformations as well as its natural and anthropogenic emissions. The assessment of mercury emissions into the air poses serious methodological problems. It is particularly difficult to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic emissions and re-emissions from lands and oceans, including past emissions. At present, the largest emission sources include fuel combustion, mainly that of coal, and “artisanal and small-scale gold mining” (ASGM). The distinctly highest emissions can be found in South and South-East Asia, accounting for 45% of the global emissions. The emissions of natural origin and re-emissions are estimated at 45–66% of the global emissions, with the largest part of emissions originating in the oceans. Forecasts on the future emission levels are not unambiguous; however, most forecasts do not provide for reductions in emissions. Ninety-five percent of mercury occurring in the air is Hg0—GEM, and its residence time in the air is estimated at 6 to 18 months. The residence times of its HgII—GOM and that in Hgp—TPM are estimated at hours and days. The highest mercury concentrations in the air can be found in the areas of mercury mines and those of ASGM. Since 1980 when it reached its maximum, the global background mercury concentration in the air has remained at a relatively constant level.
Highlights
Mercury (Hg) is one of the most important trace elements emitted to the atmosphere due to its toxic effects on the environmental and human health, as well as its role in the chemistry of the atmosphere and other environmental compartments and global atmospheric transport with air masses (Pacyna and Pacyna 2002)
The highest mercury concentrations in the air can be found in the areas of mercury mines and those of ASGM
State institutions mainly focus on inventories of their sources, while international organisations apply different models, using emission factors and statistical data on the industrial production and consumption of mercury-containing materials
Summary
Mercury (Hg) is one of the most important trace elements emitted to the atmosphere due to its toxic effects on the environmental and human health, as well as its role in the chemistry of the atmosphere and other environmental compartments and global atmospheric transport with air masses (Pacyna and Pacyna 2002). In 2009, the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) began development of a legally binding global instrument on Hg. In 2013, governments agreed to text for this instrument, giving birth to the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The primary objective of the convention is to “protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of Hg and Hg compounds” (UNEP Minamata Convention 2014)
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