System Dynamics Modelling of the Global Extraction, Supply, Price, Reserves, Resources and Environmental Losses of Mercury

Abstract

How mercury flows from geological sources to society and to the environment was modelled for this study. The industrial dynamics of mercury was modelled and included in the integrated assessment model WORLD7. The simulated mercury losses were used as input for a simplified global model for environmental pollution. The outputs were analysed and used to assess mercury pollution amounts and supply to society. In fossil fuels, there are a potential stock of 2 million tons in coal and other hydrocarbons, and 450,000 tons of that could be released to the environment if the fossil fuels are all to be burned. Such release would potentially cause major environmental damage and a significant human health risk. The simulations suggest that environmental mercury flows may peak in 2025, and slowly decline as mercury gets immobilized in nature. The simulations show that the pollution from technical use is eliminated by putting the 2013 Minimata Convention into effect, but that environmental pollution from fossil fuels combustion and from environmental re-emissions will remain a significant problem for the next decades.

Visualization of Mercury's Orbital Path Around the Sun Using Matlab for Astronomic Distance Learning

“…This visualization of planetary orbits, including that of Mercury, serves an important purpose in astronomy learning. This activity enables researchers to discern the characteristics and composition of Mercury's natural resources [49]. It also aids in understanding the intricate patterns of Mercury's orbital movements.…”

Projecting Global Mercury Emissions and Deposition Under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways

“…However, they are very important as sources of mercury. Thus, for 21st century production of these materials, we used forecasts specifically generated by industry models, as follows: copper, zinc, and lead (Sverdrup et al, 2019); iron (Morfeldt et al, 2015); mercury (Sverdrup & Olafsdottir, 2020); and gold (Sverdrup et al, 2012); as well as the basic industrial products steel (Morfeldt et al, 2015) and cement (Zhang et al, 2018). The work of Watari et al (2020Watari et al ( , 2021 was valuable in guiding the pathways of metals extraction and use to the end of the century.…”

Dynamic modeling of global fossil fuel infrastructure and materials needs: Overcoming a lack of available data

“…For instance, Hache et al [61,62] and Seck et al [63] use a modified version of the TIMES model (TIAM-IFPEN) to study the critical materials for the transportation sector electrification, the impact of the future power generation on cement demand and the copper availability up to 2050. Sverdrup et al [64,65] and Olafsdottir and Sverdrup [66] focus on nickel, helium, copper, zinc and lead using the WORLD7 model. Using on the MEDEAS integrated assessment model, Capellàn-Pérez et al [67] assess the material investments necessary for a transition to renewable energies, in a Green Growth narrative, concluding it to be unrealistic.…”