Substance Flow Analysis of Mercury Affecting Water Quality in the European Union

Sundseth, Kyrre; Pacyna, Józef M.; Pacyna, Elisabeth G.; Panasiuk, Damian

doi:10.1007/s11270-011-0871-0

Cited by 25 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(22 reference statements)

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“…Urban consumption and transport cause the production of significant amounts of a gaseous air pollutants and the generation of dust, which then falls onto urban areas [5,6] and subsequently along with surface runoff can be easily transported to city ponds [6]. Water quality in the European Union is affected by group of priority substances, including metals, in result of economy expansion [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The anthropogenic pollutants in urban ponds based on the example of Słupsk

et al. 2018

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Abstract. In areas of urban infrastructure, ponds play an important role. They are places of rest and recreation, and they facilitate contact between city dwellers and the aquatic environment. They are also a place for living waterflow and ichthyofauna. Urban ponds are susceptible to anthropogenic influences, and their self-cleaning capacity is limited due to their small size. The city of Słupsk is located in northern Poland. Coal combustion in domestic boilers and transport cause dust emissions to be released into the atmosphere. The concentration of particulate matter and heavy metals in PM10 in Słupsk is much higher than in neighbouring village Gać. This affects metals deposition from the atmosphere. Two urban ponds in Słupsk were the object of the research. Sampling station No. 1 was located in the southern part of the Raj Pond situated deep into the forest area, a considerable distance from urban buildings. Sampling station No. 2 was located at the Juniorów Pond located near the city centre. Water samples were taken from a depth of 10 cm. To investigate the deposition from the atmosphere, atmospheric precipitation was collected in a collector located in the city of Słupsk. The concentrations of Li, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Se, As, V, Sr, Cd and Pb were analyzed in the obtained water samples. Measurements were made using an ICP-MS mass spectrometer. From the obtained results, it was observed that the concentrations of Li, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Se, Sr and Cd were higher at station No. 2 located near the city centre.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The anthropogenic pollutants in urban ponds based on the example of Słupsk

et al. 2018

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“…in products (secondary anthropogenic sources). High temperature processes like stationary combustion of coal, associated with energy or heat production in major power plants, small industrial or residential heating units as well as in various industrial processes, were the largest source categories of mercury emissions in 2005 and is also expected to be maintained under the Baseline scenario (Sundseth et al, 2012). Demonstrated results from the decision support system therefore suggests that additional future control strategies in the EU should be targeted industrial sources (which are so far not, or insufficiently, regulated at EU level) and safe treatment of mercury-containing wastes, waste water effluents, as well as residues collected from various combustion processes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Combination of Methods Developed for Decision Support on Abatement of Mercury in Europe

Sundseth

Pacyna

2013

E3S Web of Conferences

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Abstract. There is clear evidence from the global mercury cycle that there is an urgent need for actions to reduce global anthropogenic mercury emissions. A legally-binding global agreement to reduce emissions of mercury is soon in place, meaning that many countries need to take steps to lower their emissions. Identification and assessment of policy options that already are in place as well as setting pollution control objectives and developing effective strategies to meet these objectives, are depending on a decision support tool that allows for identifying current and future environmental problems and to reduce these problems by providing a holistic management approach. Recent scientific advancement allows a more complete picture of the mercury problems and solutions to the problems, which is of outmost interest when it comes to justifying spending resources on the relevant measures. To make sure that resource allocation is favoring human welfare, the economic costs of introducing these measures need to be compared to their economic benefits. The major goal of this study was to provide a novel combination of assessment tools that form a framework for a decision support system towards environmental policy on mercury in Europe. The decision support tool was intended to act as a guideline for policy makers for the purpose of introducing cost-effective abatement of mercury. It was for the EU 27 countries demonstrated that large economic benefits can be achieved globally with reduced mercury emissions in the EU region. The investigated Baseline scenario thus highlighted the importance of full implementation of existing measures and the importance of making further progress in reducing mercury emissions from European sources. Reducing emissions in developing countries may however, be more cost effective, which basically reconfirms the need for a global convention on mercury.

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“…Comparable Hg emissions occur due to the erosion of car tyres and road surfaces (Bergback et. al., 2001) as well as from coal combustion installations (Sundseth et. al., 2012).…”

Section: Emissions To Individual Environmental Compartmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of pollutant emission control strategies for cadmium and mercury in urban water systems using substance flow analysis

Revitt

Lundy

Eriksson

et al. 2013

Journal of Environmental Management

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The European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires Member States to protect inland surface and groundwater bodies but does not directly stipulate how the associated environmental quality standards should be achieved. This paper develops and assesses the performance of a series of urban emission control strategies (ECS) with an emphasis on the scientific and technological benefits which can be achieved. Data from the literature, in combination with expert judgement, have been used to develop two different semi-hypothetical case cities (SHCC), which represent virtual platforms for the evaluation of ECS using substance flow analysis (SFA). The results indicate that the full implementation of existing EU legislation is capable of reducing the total emissions of cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) by between 11% and 20%. The ability to apply voluntary reduction practices is shown to be particularly effective for Cd with the potential to further lower the overall emissions by between 16% and 27%. The most efficient protection of the receiving surface water environment is strongly influenced by the city characteristics with the introduction of stormwater treatment practices being particularly effective for one city (59% reduction of Hg; 39% reduction of Cd) and the other city being most influenced by the presence of efficient advanced wastewater treatment processes (63% reduction of Hg; 43% reduction of Cd). These reductions in receiving water loads are necessarily accompanied by either increases in stormwater sediment loadings (2.6 to 14.9 kg/year or 0.6 to 2.4 kg/year for Hg) or wastewater sludge loadings (45.8 to 57.2 kg/year or 42.0 to 57.4 kg/year for Cd).

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Substance Flow Analysis of Mercury Affecting Water Quality in the European Union

Cited by 25 publications

References 19 publications

The anthropogenic pollutants in urban ponds based on the example of Słupsk

The anthropogenic pollutants in urban ponds based on the example of Słupsk

A Novel Combination of Methods Developed for Decision Support on Abatement of Mercury in Europe

Comparison of pollutant emission control strategies for cadmium and mercury in urban water systems using substance flow analysis

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