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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Mercury in the air

Journal Article · · Environment; (United States)
OSTI ID:5967961
Coal-burning power plants, municipal incinerators, and several industrial plants are emitting large quantities of mercury vapor. The estimated annual rate of mercury vapor discharge from only twelve locations in Missouri and Illinois exceeds the rate of mercury discharge into water ways by the nation's 50 major mercury pollutors. Calculations suggest that this release to the air might be quite large compared to other known sources of mercury in the environment. A survey of mercury emissions from the stacks of electric power plants, municipal incinerators and industrial plants was undertaken, using an airborne mercury spectrometer. The survey demonstrated that just a few atmospheric sources of mercury vapor may contribute many tons of mercury to the environment. 9 references, 4 figures, 1 table.
OSTI ID:
5967961
Journal Information:
Environment; (United States), Journal Name: Environment; (United States) Vol. 13:4; ISSN ENVTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English