Development of an anthropogenic atmospheric mercury emissions inventory in Thailand in 2018

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic pollutant characterized by its long-range transport in the atmosphere. In the present study, the atmospheric Hg emission inventory in Thailand was developed using a bottom-up approach. To reflect the emitting behaviors of various Hg sources in Thailand in 2018, activity data specific to individual sources were collected, and emission factors were obtained from local sources or adapted from the literature with proper adjustments. It was found that about 4,337.8 kg of anthropogenic Hg was emitted: 52 % from biomass open burning and 40 % from combustion sources. Mercury speciation was also investigated. Hg0 was found to be dominant at 73 %, followed by Hg2+ at 18 % and HgP at 9 %. Maps were produced using the Spatial Geographic Information System, which showed that the emissions were relatively dense in the Central region of Thailand where most industrial activities take place and in the Northern and Northwestern regions as a result of biomass open burning. Hg emissions were also observed to mainly take place during the early months of the year, particularly in March and April. These two months were determined to account for 47 % of the total annual emissions of Hg, mostly due to increased combustion activities and biomass open burning. The output of the present work is a Hg emission database that can serve as model to investigate the status of Hg and the risks it poses to human health and ecosystems as well as support policy makers in developing emission control strategies.