Concept explainers
Mercury Emissions by Continent By weight, coal does not contain much mercury, but we burn a lot of it. Several industries besides coal-fired power plants contribute substantially to atmospheric mercury pollution. FIGURE 2.13 shows mercury emissions by industry from different regions of the world in 2010.
FIGURE 2.13 Global mercury emissions by sector, 2010.
About how many metric tons of mercury were released in total from these regions?
To determine: The total metric tons of mercury released from the regions given in the Fig. 2.13.
Introduction: Mercury is a toxic element and is naturally found in water, air, and soil. It is released in the environment through weathering of rocks, volcanic activity, and human activity. Human activity is mainly responsible for the mercury releases especially burning of coal in the coal-fired power stations, domestic uses, waste incinerators, industries, and mining of metals.
Explanation of Solution
As given in the problem statement, various industries besides coal-fired power plants contribute to mercury pollution in the atmosphere. Refer Fig. 2.13, “Global mercury emissions by sector, 2010” in the textbook. The graphical representation shows mercury emission (metric tons) by industries from different continents of the world in 2010. The data were reported from seven continents including Asia, Africa, Russia, Europe, North America, Middle East, and South and Central America. The mercury emissions released from various sectors included waste from consumer products, oil refining, cremation, waste incineration, mining, fossil fuel combustion, chlorine, cement, and metal production. On the basis of the data given in Fig. 2.13, Asia has the maximum mercury emissions reported as approximately 1100 metric tons. The approximate amount of mercury released by each continent is as follows:
- Asia – 1100 metric tons
- Africa – 380 metric tons
- South and Central America – 350 metric tons
- Europe – 180 metric tons
- North America – 80 metric tons
- Russia – 60 metric tons
- Middle East – 40 metric tons
By summing up the amount of mercury emissions from the seven continents, the total amount of mercury released (metric tons) comes to approximately 2200 metric tons.
The total mercury released by industry from different regions of the world in 2010 was 2200 metric tons.
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