Trends in anthropogenic mercury emissions estimated for South Africa during 2000–2006

Recent studies suggest an increase in mercury (Hg) emissions to the global environment, particularly as a result of anthropogenic activities. This has prompted many countries to complete Hg emission inventories, based on country-specific Hg sources. In this study, information on annual coal consumption and Hg-containing commodities produced in South Africa, was used to estimate Hg emissions during 2000–2006. Based on the information, the UNEP toolkit was used to estimate the amount of Hg released to air and general waste from each activity; using South Africa specific and toolkit based emission factors. In both atmospheric and solid waste releases, coal-fired power plants were estimated to be the largest contributors of Hg emissions, viz. 27.1 to 38.9 tonnes y^?1 in air, and 5.8 to 7.4 tonnes y^?1 in waste. Cement production was estimated to be the second largest atmospheric Hg emission contributor (2.2–3.9 tonnes y^?1), while coal gasification was estimated to be the second largest Hg contributor in terms of general waste releases (2.9–4.2 tonnes y^?1). Overall, there was an increase in total atmospheric Hg emissions from all activities, estimated at ca. 34 tonnes in 2000, to 50 tonnes in 2006, with some fluctuations between the years. Similarly, the total Hg emissions released to general waste was estimated to be 9 tonnes in 2000, with an increase to 12 tonnes in 2006.     

中国煤中氮的含量及其分布

为了解我国煤中氮的含量水平及其分布特征,在全国主要产煤的26个省、市、区,根据各煤田的地质储量、成煤时期和煤变质程度,兼顾各矿区的煤炭产量,采集306个煤样,测定了全部样品的氮含量,并对各成煤时代、各聚煤区、各省市区的煤氮含量进行了统计分析。研究表明:煤中氮主要以有机形态赋存;氮含量与煤变质程度间有微弱的正相关关系;全国煤的氮含量近似服从正态分布,90%的样品含氮范围为0.52%～1.41%,宜用算术平均值0.98%作为全国平均煤氮含量。