Human Alteration of the Mercury Cycle
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Questions and Answers

What does 'Hg' stand for?

Mercury

What is the natural range of mercury concentrations in the environment?

1-50 ng/L

Mercury is only found in the earth's crust.

False

Which of these are natural sources of mercury?

<p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the process of amalgamation in gold mining.

<p>Amalgamation is a process where mercury is mixed with gold particles to create a mixed compound. The gold dissolves into the mercury. At the end of the process, the mercury and gold amalgam are separated, and the mercury is recycled.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the high mercury levels found in the northeastern U.S. in the early 1900s?

<p>Industrialization</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these sectors contributed the MOST to mercury emissions globally in 2018?

<p>Artisanal and small-scale gold mining</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main way humans are exposed to mercury?

<p>Eating mercury in fish and other biota</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the negative health effects of mercury exposure in humans?

<p>Mercury exposure in humans can cause various health problems, including harm to the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system in individuals of all ages. It also has particularly damaging effects on the developing nervous system of babies and can cause learning disabilities in children.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The U.S. Clean Air Mercury Rule aims to reduce mercury emissions from power plants using natural gas as a primary source of energy.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are MATS?

<p>MATS, or &quot;Mercury and Air Toxics Standards&quot;, are national emission standards set by the U.S. EPA to regulate the release of mercury, particle pollution, and other harmful pollutants from electric power plants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following policies with their respective objectives:

<p>Clean Air Mercury Rule = To reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants December 2011 EPA Finalization = To establish national emission standards for mercury and other air toxics from electric power plants Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008 = To prohibit the export of mercury from the United States Minamata Convention on Mercury = To protect human health and the environment by limiting mercury production and trade worldwide</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a US law that prohibits the export of mercury.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why the Minamata Convention on Mercury is significant?

<p>The Minamata Convention on Mercury is significant because it represents an international effort to reduce mercury pollution and its harmful effects on human health and the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Human Alteration of the Mercury Cycle

  • The lecture covers emissions, deposition, and policy related to the mercury cycle.

Announcements

  • A NSF International Research Experience for Students Program is available for undergraduate students in behavior, ecology, and conservation research in Argentina.
  • The program runs from May 26 to July 18, 2025.
  • Applications are due on January 6, 2025.

Mercury Overview

  • Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in the earth's crust, air, water, and soil.
  • Natural sources include volcanic eruptions, geothermal vents, and evaporation from naturally enriched soils, wetlands, and oceans.
  • Mercury exists in various forms, including elemental mercury (Hgº), inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺), organic mercury (CH₃Hg), and mercuric salts (HgCl₂).
  • The natural range of mercury concentrations in water is approximately 1-50 ng/L.

Mercury Concentrations in Deposition: Past and Present

  • The graph shows concentration changes over time for various sources of mercury in deposition.
  • The sources are categorized as Pre-industrial, Volcanic eruptions, Gold Rush, WWII manufacturing, Industrialization, and Mt. St. Helens.
  • These different categories show changes in mercury concentrations over time.

How is Mercury Used to Obtain Gold?

  • The process involves Amalgamation, which brings free gold particles into contact with mercury.
  • The mercury and gold combine to form an amalgam.
  • Gold is dissolved into the mercury.
  • The mercury and gold amalgam are separated and the mercury is recycled.
  • This method allows the collection of very small sized gold particles.
  • Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature, which makes it useful for this process

Global Emissions of Mercury in 2015

  • A map showing global mercury emissions in 2015.
  • The highest rates were in Asia and Africa, with varying concentrations across different regions.

Mercury Emissions by Sector (2018)

  • Global mercury emissions in 2018 totaled 2,223,594 kg.
  • Various sectors are identified as sources of mercury emissions.
  • Artisanal and small-scale mining is a significant source, as are different industrial activities and combustion sources.

Global Emissions of Mercury by Activity

  • A pie chart showing the different types of activities, and their contribution to global mercury emissions.
  • The proportion of emissions from fossil fuel combustion, metal production, chlor-alkali industry, artisanal and small-scale gold mining, cement production, and other sources are indicated in percentages.

Global Sources of Mercury Emissions by Region

  • A pie chart highlighting the regions significantly contributing to global mercury emissions.
  • Regions with the highest percentages are marked for analysis.
  • The graph displays trends in mercury emissions across different regions over time.
  • Specifically shows rising emissions in Asia while Europe and the US showed a downward trend over time.

Anthropogenic Sources of Mercury in the U.S.

  • Coal-fired electric power plants are a major source (40% of total US mercury emissions).
  • Industrial boilers contribute another 10%.
  • Burning hazardous waste accounts for 5%.
  • Chlorine production contributes 5%.
  • The graph shows the varied trends in mercury emissions from different sources, like coal boilers, different industrial processes, and other categories.
  • These changes highlight efforts on reduction and abatement over time.
  • Significant declines since the 1990s are noticeable in some sectors, particularly from medical waste incinerators and fossil fuel combustion.

Mercury in Atmospheric Deposition

  • Some of the highest rates of mercury deposition are in the northeastern U.S.
  • Mercury can settle on water and land surfaces, and can be transported to aquatic environments through runoff.

Interaction Between Sulfur Deposition and Mercury

  • Sulfate in acid rain accelerates methylmercury production in aquatic ecosystems.
  • This is particularly relevant to northeastern U.S. due to high sulfur deposition rates.

Mercury Cycle

  • Atmospheric mercury concentrations and ocean conditions are influenced by anthropogenic emissions and climate/ecosystem changes.
  • Increased temperature, weaker global circulation, geogenic emissions from wildfires, anthropogenic emissions from energy consumption, changes in precipitation patterns are highlighted as interrelated factors.
  • The cycle impacts marine life, including food web bioaccumulation, as well as terrestrial environments.

Problems with Mercury

  • Mercury emitted to the atmosphere is deposited in wet and dry forms.
  • Microorganisms convert inorganic mercury to methylmercury.
  • Methylmercury bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains.

Mercury Concentrations in Water and Aquatic Biota in Eastern North America

  • Shows the increasing concentrations of mercury in different organisms across the food web in Eastern North America.

Hg Concentrations in Fish of the Northeastern U.S.

  • Shows the mean/average mercury concentration in various fish species that are caught in the northeastern U.S.
  • This data highlights the accumulation of mercury across various fish species.

Example of Earlier Success with Policy Response to Mercury Emissions

  • In 1997, EPA implemented standards for medical waste incinerators.
  • These regulations led to a 95% decrease in mercury emissions between 1990 and 2006

Policy Response to Mercury Emissions

  • The Clean Air Mercury Rule, issued by the EPA in March 2005, aimed to significantly reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
  • The rule was designed as a first-of-its-kind effort in the U.S.
  • Further policy actions like the MATS and other Federal bans and regulations are listed to reduce mercury emissions.

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Related Documents

Human Alteration of the Mercury Cycle PDF

Description

This quiz focuses on the human impact on the mercury cycle, exploring emissions, deposition, and related policies. It delves into the natural occurrence of mercury and its various forms as well as historical concentration changes in deposition. Test your understanding of this critical environmental issue.

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