Update of mercury emissions from China's primary zinc, lead and copper smelters, 2000–2010
China is the largest anthropogenic mercury emitter in the world, where primary nonferrous metal smelting is regarded as one of the most significant emission sources. In this study, atmospheric mercury emissions from primary zinc, lead and copper smelters in China between 2000–2010 were estimated usi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2012-11-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/12/11153/2012/acp-12-11153-2012.pdf |
| _version_ | 1811265274439008256 |
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| author | Y. Meng H. Yang J. X. Song L. Zhang S. X. Wang Q. R. Wu |
| author_facet | Y. Meng H. Yang J. X. Song L. Zhang S. X. Wang Q. R. Wu |
| author_sort | Y. Meng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | China is the largest anthropogenic mercury emitter in the world, where primary nonferrous metal smelting is regarded as one of the most significant emission sources. In this study, atmospheric mercury emissions from primary zinc, lead and copper smelters in China between 2000–2010 were estimated using a technology-based methodology with comprehensive consideration of mercury concentration in concentrates, smelting processes, mercury removal efficiencies of air pollution control devices (APCDs) and the application percentage of a certain type of APCD combinations. Our study indicated that atmospheric mercury emissions from nonferrous metal smelters in 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2010 were 67.6, 100.1, 86.7, 80.6 and 72.5 t, respectively. In 2010, the amounts of mercury emitted into atmosphere were 39.4 ± 31.5, 30.6 ± 29.1, and 2.5 ± 1.1 t from primary zinc, lead and copper smelters, respectively. The largest amount of mercury was emitted from the Gansu province, followed by Henan, Yunnan, Hunan, Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi provinces. Hg<sup>2+</sup>, Hg<sup>0</sup> and Hg<sup>p</sup> emissions from zinc smelters were 25.6, 11.8 and 1.97 t, respectively. The emissions percentages of Hg<sup>2+</sup> and Hg<sup>0</sup> were almost the same from lead and copper smelters. The average mercury removal efficiency was 90.5 ± 52.5%, 71.2 ± 63.7% and 91.8 ± 40.7% in zinc, lead, and copper smelters, respectively. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T20:19:27Z |
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| id | doaj.art-99ba1eed3a7344b0b609215dfc316547 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T20:19:27Z |
| publishDate | 2012-11-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
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| series | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| spelling | doaj.art-99ba1eed3a7344b0b609215dfc3165472022-12-22T03:18:01ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242012-11-011222111531116310.5194/acp-12-11153-2012Update of mercury emissions from China's primary zinc, lead and copper smelters, 2000–2010Y. MengH. YangJ. X. SongL. ZhangS. X. WangQ. R. WuChina is the largest anthropogenic mercury emitter in the world, where primary nonferrous metal smelting is regarded as one of the most significant emission sources. In this study, atmospheric mercury emissions from primary zinc, lead and copper smelters in China between 2000–2010 were estimated using a technology-based methodology with comprehensive consideration of mercury concentration in concentrates, smelting processes, mercury removal efficiencies of air pollution control devices (APCDs) and the application percentage of a certain type of APCD combinations. Our study indicated that atmospheric mercury emissions from nonferrous metal smelters in 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2010 were 67.6, 100.1, 86.7, 80.6 and 72.5 t, respectively. In 2010, the amounts of mercury emitted into atmosphere were 39.4 ± 31.5, 30.6 ± 29.1, and 2.5 ± 1.1 t from primary zinc, lead and copper smelters, respectively. The largest amount of mercury was emitted from the Gansu province, followed by Henan, Yunnan, Hunan, Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi provinces. Hg<sup>2+</sup>, Hg<sup>0</sup> and Hg<sup>p</sup> emissions from zinc smelters were 25.6, 11.8 and 1.97 t, respectively. The emissions percentages of Hg<sup>2+</sup> and Hg<sup>0</sup> were almost the same from lead and copper smelters. The average mercury removal efficiency was 90.5 ± 52.5%, 71.2 ± 63.7% and 91.8 ± 40.7% in zinc, lead, and copper smelters, respectively.http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/12/11153/2012/acp-12-11153-2012.pdf |
| spellingShingle | Y. Meng H. Yang J. X. Song L. Zhang S. X. Wang Q. R. Wu Update of mercury emissions from China's primary zinc, lead and copper smelters, 2000–2010 Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| title | Update of mercury emissions from China's primary zinc, lead and copper smelters, 2000–2010 |
| title_full | Update of mercury emissions from China's primary zinc, lead and copper smelters, 2000–2010 |
| title_fullStr | Update of mercury emissions from China's primary zinc, lead and copper smelters, 2000–2010 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Update of mercury emissions from China's primary zinc, lead and copper smelters, 2000–2010 |
| title_short | Update of mercury emissions from China's primary zinc, lead and copper smelters, 2000–2010 |
| title_sort | update of mercury emissions from china s primary zinc lead and copper smelters 2000 ndash 2010 |
| url | http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/12/11153/2012/acp-12-11153-2012.pdf |
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