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Atmospheric Deposition of Mercury
Citation:
KNIGHTES, C. D., M. Meaburn, AND R. ARAUJO. Atmospheric Deposition of Mercury. EM: AIR AND WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION'S MAGAZINE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGERS. Air & Waste Management Association, Pittsburgh, PA, , 26-30, (2007).
Impact/Purpose:
The complex patterns of atmospheric transport, deposition and recycling of mercury, together with the interchangeability of its chemical forms, are factors that must be considered for effective risk management.
Description:
With the advent of the industrial era, the amount of mercury entering the global environment increased dramatically. Releases of mercury in its elemental form from gold mines and chlor-alkali plants, as sulfides such as mercaptans and agricultural chemicals, and as volatile emissions from fossil fuel combustion became commonplace. Despite improvements in control methods, mercury pollution continues to be a serious environmental problem and poses a significant health risk to both humans and wildlife.