Emission and deposition of atmospheric mercury vapor
Conference
·
OSTI ID:6171065
We have studied three industrial sources of atmospheric mercury: the chloralkali, cinnabar mining, and electric power generation industries. Samples were collected in the stack, plume, and ambient air of a coal-fired power plant. Mercury vapor was the dominant form of mercury in all samples, and was not converted to particle-associated forms during plume interactions. Because of these characteristics, mercury is inefficiently removed by conventional means during fossil fuel combustion. Contamination of aquatic environments by direct discharges from chloralkali plants is well known. Our work identified an unrecognized source of mercury to the environment, atmospheric emission of the vapor from stored waste deposits. Results indicated that atmospheric and aquatic emissions were comparable, and that losses from defunct plants could approach those from active plants. Studies at the Almaden mercury mine in Spain indicated that mercury vapor is emitted from mercury-rich soils, and that the emission rates are temperature dependent and influenced by vegetation cover. Plants grown on these soils accumulate mercury via the roots from soil mercury, and the leaves by a
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6171065
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8409200-1; ON: DE85006304
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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