Projected global mercury supply, demand, and excess to 2050 based on impacts of the Minamata Convention

Abstract

There is a crucial need to understand the outlook for changes in mercury supply and demand in response to the 2017 entry into force of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. If demand exceeds supply there will be a shortage, but if supply exceeds demand there will be excess mercury, and ultimately the need to prepare for the final disposal of elemental mercury. This study estimates global mercury supply and demand from 2010 to 2050, by region, and projects excess mercury based on recent trends and consideration of impacts of the Convention. The analysis notes a downward trend in both supply and demand, but the supply of mercury from primary mining has not decreased as much as initially expected, while mercury recovery from by-products of nonferrous production has not yet been implemented extensively. Under a business-as-usual projection, there is excess supply until a shortage appears around 2030, but a surplus returns after 2035, and there is a projected excess supply of 59 tons annually in 2050. Relying on the level of mercury recovery in the nonferrous sector, global cumulative stock of excess mercury is projected at 14,439–20,943 tons in 2050.

Application Study on the Activated Coke for Mercury Adsorption in the Nonferrous Smelting Industry

“…The results indicated that AC is an effective Hg 0 capture agent. Nonferrous metal smelting flue gas is complex, mainly containing O 2 , SO 2 , and other components [21,22]. This study aimed to examine the impact of flue gas components on the efficacy of AC in removing Hg 0 .…”

Captivating nano sensors for mercury detection: a promising approach for monitoring of toxic mercury in environmental samples

“…8,9 Following the toxicity of mercury, the Minamata Convention on Mercury launched a reduction or phase-out of the use of mercury in industrial processes in 2017. [10][11][12] Though, Article 3 (Annex A) of the Minamata Convention permits the utilization of mercury for indispensable purposes, including products necessary for civil protection and military applications. [12][13][14] Consequently, safe management of natural source via monitoring the presence of mercury ions or pollution distribution in natural source has been an active area of research.…”

“…[10][11][12] Though, Article 3 (Annex A) of the Minamata Convention permits the utilization of mercury for indispensable purposes, including products necessary for civil protection and military applications. [12][13][14] Consequently, safe management of natural source via monitoring the presence of mercury ions or pollution distribution in natural source has been an active area of research. Traditionally researchers employed various methods such as atomic absorption spectrometry, 15 voltammetry, 16 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, 17,18 inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, 19 spectrouorometric, 20 and chromatography.…”