Mercury emissions to the atmosphere from anthropogenic sources in Europe in 2000 and their scenarios until 2020

Pacyna, Elisabeth G.; Pacyna, Józef M.; Fudala, Janina; Strzelecka-Jastrzab, Ewa; Hławiczka, S.; Panasiuk, Damian

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.06.023

Cited by 126 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The 10-year trends of GEM concentrations at five ground-based sites in the Arctic and Canada also showed a decreasing trend at a rate of 0.013-0.035 ng m −3 yr −1 (0.9-2.2 % yr −1 ; Cole et al, 2013). Such a decrease is consistent with the decrease in anthropogenic Hg emissions in Europe and North America (Pacyna et al, 2006;Streets et al, 2011;AMAP/UNEP, 2013). The available GEM data in China are not sufficient to conclude a long-term concentration trend.…”

Section: Long-term Trend Of Gemsupporting

confidence: 63%

Observations of atmospheric mercury in China: a critical review

et al. 2015

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Abstract. China presently contributes the largest amount of anthropogenic mercury (Hg) emission into the atmosphere in the world. Over the past decade, numerous studies have been conducted to characterize the concentration and forms of atmospheric Hg in China, which provide insights into the spatial and temporal distributions of atmospheric Hg through ground-based measurements at widely diverse geographical locations and during cruise and flight campaigns. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of the state of understanding in atmospheric Hg in China. Gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) and particulate-bound mercury (PBM) measured at the remote sites in China are substantially elevated compared to the background values in the Northern Hemisphere. In Chinese urban areas, the highly elevated GEM, PBM and gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) were mainly derived from local anthropogenic Hg emissions, whereas regional anthropogenic emissions and long-range transport from domestic source regions are the primary causes of the elevated GEM and PBM concentrations at remote sites. Using 7-9 years of continuous observations at a remote site and an urban site, a slight increase in atmospheric GEM (2.4-2.5 % yr −1 ) was identified (paired samples test: p < 0.01), which is in agreement with the increasing domestic anthropogenic emissions. Anthropogenic GEM emission quantity in China estimated through the observed GEM / CO concentration ratios ranged from 632 to 1138 t annually over the past decade, 2-3 times larger than published values using emission activity data. Modeling results and filed measurements show dry deposition is the predominant process for removing Hg from the atmosphere, 2.5-9.0 times larger than wet deposition, due to the elevated atmospheric GEM and PBM concentrations that facilitate dry deposition to terrestrial landscapes. Further studies to reconcile the observed and simulated Hg concentrations, to understand the impact of domestic emission reduction on Hg concentration and deposition and to delineate the role of Hg emission and deposition of China in the global Hg biogeochemical cycle, are needed.

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Section: Long-term Trend Of Gemsupporting

confidence: 63%

Observations of atmospheric mercury in China: a critical review

et al. 2015

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“…Hg emitted from anthropogenic sources include all atmospheric species: gaseous elemental Hg (Hg 0 , GEM), gaseous oxidized Hg (GOM) and particulate-bound Hg (PBM) (Pacyna et al, 2006; AMAP/UNEP, 2013), while evasion derived from the Earth's surfaces is dominated by GEM (Gustin, 2011). Owing to the high deposition velocities of GOM and PBM (1-2 orders higher than GEM) , GOM and PBM are readily deposited locally and regionally, while GEM is subject to long-range transport (e.g., hemispheric scale) and can deposit remotely from the emission sources Gustin and Jaffe, 2010).…”

Section: W Zhu Et Al: Global Observations and Modeling Of Mercury Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global observations and modeling of atmosphere–surface exchange of elemental mercury: a critical review

et al. 2016

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Abstract. Reliable quantification of air-surface fluxes of elemental Hg vapor (Hg 0 ) is crucial for understanding mercury (Hg) global biogeochemical cycles. There have been extensive measurements and modeling efforts devoted to estimating the exchange fluxes between the atmosphere and various surfaces (e.g., soil, canopies, water, snow, etc.) in the past three decades. However, large uncertainties remain due to the complexity of Hg 0 bidirectional exchange, limitations of flux quantification techniques and challenges in model parameterization. In this study, we provide a critical review on the state of science in the atmosphere-surface exchange of Hg 0 . Specifically, the advancement of flux quantification techniques, mechanisms in driving the air-surface Hg exchange and modeling efforts are presented. Due to the semi-volatile nature of Hg 0 and redox transformation of Hg in environmental media, Hg deposition and evasion are influenced by multiple environmental variables including seasonality, vegetative coverage and its life cycle, temperature, light, moisture, atmospheric turbulence and the presence of reactants (e.g., O 3 , radicals, etc.). However, the effects of these processes on flux have not been fundamentally and quantitatively determined, which limits the accuracy of flux modeling.We compile an up-to-date global observational flux database and discuss the implication of flux data on the global Hg budget. Mean Hg 0 fluxes obtained by micrometeorological measurements do not appear to be significantly greater than the fluxes measured by dynamic flux chamber methods over unpolluted surfaces (p = 0.16, one-tailed, Mann-Whitney U test). The spatiotemporal coverage of existing Hg 0 flux measurements is highly heterogeneous with large data gaps existing in multiple continents (Africa, South Asia, Middle East, South America and Australia). The magnitude of the evasion flux is strongly enhanced by human activities, particularly at contaminated sites. Hg 0 flux observations in East Asia are comparatively larger in magnitude than the rest of the world, suggesting substantial re-emission of previously deposited mercury from anthropogenic sources. The Hg 0 exchange over pristine surfaces (e.g., background soil and water) and vegetation needs better constraints for global analyses of the atmospheric Hg budget. The existing knowledge gap and the associated research needs for future measurements and modeling efforts for the air-surface exchange of Hg 0 are discussed.

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“…Prognoses of Hg emission by ten European countries with the highest emission assume reduction to 179.6 Mg/year (BAU scenario) or 64.4 Mg/year (DEG scenario) by 2020 (Pacyna et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury bioaccumulation in hair and skin of arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in rural and urbanized region

Dobrzański¹,

Przysiecki²,

Filistowicz³

et al. 2014

CZECH J ANIM SCI

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Mercury bioaccumulation in hair and skin of silver and arctic foxes farmed in typically rural and urbanized regions (Wielkopolskie Voivodship, Poland) was assessed. Hair and skin samples were collected and analyzed for total Hg content using atomic absorption spectrometry. Hairs and skin of foxes farmed in the rural region accumulated higher amount of Hg compared to animals from the urbanized one. Species effect (lower Hg concentration in V. lagopus) was noted, females having higher accumulation compared with males. The highest Hg content was observed in hairs of V. vulpes females in the rural region (0.207 mg/kg on average), and in skin of V. lagopus females (0.0082 mg/kg on average). Highly significant correlation (r = 0.796) was noted between Hg content in skin and hairs of farm foxes. The present study confirms the previous finding that non-invasively collected hair samples are a good tool applicable in evaluating heavy metal load of different environments.

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Mercury emissions to the atmosphere from anthropogenic sources in Europe in 2000 and their scenarios until 2020

Cited by 126 publications

References 2 publications

Observations of atmospheric mercury in China: a critical review

Observations of atmospheric mercury in China: a critical review

Global observations and modeling of atmosphere–surface exchange of elemental mercury: a critical review

Mercury bioaccumulation in hair and skin of arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in rural and urbanized region

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