Estimation of atmospheric mercury emission inventory in Tehran Province

Abstract

In this study, atmospheric mercury emission inventory was estimated from various anthropogenic sources of emission in Tehran province, including stationary, mobile and also natural sources. The mercury emission factors from different sources were obtained using the United Nations Environment Programme, the United States Environmental Protection Agency AP-42 and related papers. Twelve mercury emission stationary point sources including power plants, cement factories, oil refinery and municipal solid waste in Tehran province were considered, as the total amount of mercury released into the air from these sources was estimated at 405.3 kg/year. To estimate the atmospheric mercury emissions from stationary area sources, the amount of fuel consumed by the activity of power plants, cement factories and oil refinery has been deducted from the total amount of fuel consumed in Tehran province, and according to the type of fuel consumed, this amount was estimated at 97.2 kg/year. Other stationary area sources considered in this study include the brick manufacturing, the use of mercury-containing lamps, the use of mercury in dental treatment and thermometers and the total atmospheric mercury emission from these sources was estimated at 120.1 kg/year. The amount of atmospheric mercury emission from mobile sources was estimated at 46.4 kg/year. The atmospheric mercury emission from natural sources are based on the surface type, which includes impervious surfaces such as pavements and permeable surfaces such as soils, was estimated at 434.1 kg/year of mercury emitted into the air. The total atmospheric mercury emission in Tehran province was estimated at 780.1 kg/year.