Assessment of current and future emissions of mercury from anthropogenic sources in South Africa

Mercury is one of the most important contaminants emitted to the atmosphere due to its toxic effects on the environment and human health, as well as its role in the chemistry of the atmosphere. Although substantial information has been collected on enviro nmental effects of mercury and its behaviour in the environment much less data is available on atmospheric emissions of the element. Information on emissions is needed for various policy and modeling purposes. This information is very limited for sources and emissions in South Africa. The main goal of the proposed project is to provide a thorough assessment of current and future emissions of Hg to the air, water and land from anthropogenic sources in South Africa. An assessment of emissions from natural s ources will also be made. The following tasks will be carried out: -Collection of information on the content of Hg in raw materials, such as various fuel types and ores, combustion and industrial technologies, and type and efficiency of emission control equipment employed in the South African power plants and other industrial plants -Estimation of current emission quantities to the atmosphere, water, and land for major source categories on the basis of emission factors and statistical data obtained from Task 1 -Preparation of 3 major scenarios of future emissions of mercury to the atmosphere, water and land: (1) Business-As-Usual (BAU), (2) Policy Target (POT), and (3) Deep Green (DEG) scenarios -Preparation of the final report of the project with conclu sions and recommendations for policy making in South Africa. Organization of stakeholders meeting with presentation of project results.