An overview of mercury emissions in the energy industry - A step to mercury footprint assessment

The energy industry is currently the second largest anthropogenic source of mercury pollution worldwide, and in many countries, it is by far the largest anthropogenic source of mercury emissions. Mercury emissions can be traced to almost the entire energy industry value chain. Combustion of coal is the primary source of mercury emissions in energy production. Biomass, which is considered a renewable fuel, is also a source of atmospheric mercury emissions. A general trend from landfill waste disposal to waste incineration can be observed in many countries, but waste-to-energy incineration is also a source of mercury emissions. The increased mercury levels have been recorded in fish living in the reservoirs for hydroelectricity. The adverse effects of mercury exposure on human health have been indicated in a number of studies, and there seems to be no ‘zero effect’ exposure level. As a result, the mitigation of mercury emissions is gaining more and more attention. The overview creates the base for further research for quantification of the effect of mercury emissions on the environment and on human health, which can be expressed and quantified by Mercury Footprints.