Global emission of mercury from anthropogenic sources in 1995

An estimate of the global emission of mercury from anthropogenic sources in 1995 has been prepared. Major emphasis is placed on emissions from stationary combustion sources, non-ferrous metal production, pig iron and steel production, cement production and waste disposal. About three quarters of the total emission, estimated to be about 1900 tonnes, was from combustion of fuels, particularly coal combustion in China, India, and South and North Korea. In general, the Asian countries contribute about 56% to the global emissions of mercury to the atmosphere. Europe and North America seem to contribute less than 25%. The major chemical form of mercury emitted to the atmosphere is gaseous elemental mercury, contributing with about 53% to the total emissions, followed by gaseous bivalent mercury with 37%. The Hg emissions on particles contribute only about 10% to the total emissions. Again, Asia contributes about 50% to the total emissions of all individual chemical forms of mercury.