Transformations of mercury in processes of solid fuel combustion – review

The paper presents current reports on kinetics and mechanisms of reactions with mercury which take place in the exhaust gases, discharged from the processes of combustion of solid fuels (coals). The three main stages were considered. The first one, when thermal decomposition of Hg components takes place together with formation of elemental mercury (Hg0). The second one with homogeneous oxidation of Hg0 to Hg2+ by other active components of exhaust gases (e.g. HCl). The third one with heterogeneous reactions of gaseous mercury (the both - elemental and oxidised Hg) and solid particles of fl y ash, leading to generation of particulate-bound mercury (Hgp). Influence of exhaust components and their concentrations, temperature and retention time on the efficiency of mercury oxidation was determined. The issues concerning physical (gas-solid) and chemical speciation of mercury (fractionation Hg0-Hg2+) as well as factors which have influence on the mercury speciation in exhaust gases are discussed in detail

An analysis of maximum concentration of pollution for Upper Silesia

Forecasting of pollution of the air can be made in a deterministic or stochastic way. Both ways of analysis have also been used. In the deterministic way we try to find relations between variables such as meteorological variables and ozone, carbon oxide, nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide (O₃, CO, NO, NO₂). Another possibility is to build regression models. We present the result of multivariable regression models of the maximum level of concentration of each variable for two different seasons of the year.Prognozowanie zmian zanieczyszczenia powietrza można ująć w sposób deterministyczny lub stochastyczny. Notowano również próby łączenia obu sposobów opisu. W podejściu deterministycznym charakterystyczne jest szukanie związków przyczynowo- skutkowych. Relacje pomiędzy stężeniem a emisją, meteorologią, topografią można opisać globalnie, badając złożone zjawisko dyspersji zanieczyszczeń - modele dyfuzyjne. Inną grupę stanowią modele regresji liniowej. Artykuł prezentuje analizę maksimum dla czterech zanieczyszczeń gazowych (CO, NO₂, O₃, SO₂), charakteryzujących się różnym pochodzeniem, podlegającym różnym transformacjom natury fizykochemicznej, o różnych rozkładach sezonowych. Wyniki analizy zależności przeprowadzono za pomocą wielowymiarowej analizy regresji dla dwóch wybranych okresów badawczychZadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 zostało dofinansowane ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej nauk

Inhalation Exposure to Gaseous and Particulate Bound Mercury Present in the Ambient Air over the Polluted Area of Southern Poland

This study concerns the concentrations of gaseous and particle-bound mercury present in ambient air of two Polish sites, differing in terms of emission structure, and the estimation of inhalation risks related to those Hg species. The measurements of total gaseous mercury (TGM) and PM2.5-bound mercury (PBM) were performed at an urban station in Zabrze and a rural station in Złoty Potok, in 2014–2015. Both sites are located in Silesia, considered one of the European air pollution hot-spots. TGM was measured on-line (Tekran 2537). PM2.5 samples were taken with the use of low volume samplers. Hg contents in PM were determined by the CVAAS method following thermal decomposition. The median concentrations of TGM and PBM in Zabrze were 2.48 ng m−3 and 37.87 pg m−3, respectively; meanwhile in Zloty Potok, these were 1.69 ng m−3 and 27.82 pg m−3, respectively. Clearly, seasonal variability of TGM and PBM concentrations were observed, reflecting the importance of Hg and PM emissions from coal combustion for power and heating purposes. Health risk assessment was performed using a deterministic approach by the most conservative exposure scenario. The obtained HQ ratios and the cumulative HI indexes were below the limit value (<1). This means an unlikely health hazard due mercury inhalation

Inhalation Exposure to Gaseous and Particulate Bound Mercury Present in the Ambient Air over the Polluted Area of Southern Poland

This study concerns the concentrations of gaseous and particle-bound mercury present in ambient air of two Polish sites, differing in terms of emission structure, and the estimation of inhalation risks related to those Hg species. The measurements of total gaseous mercury (TGM) and PM2.5-bound mercury (PBM) were performed at an urban station in Zabrze and a rural station in Złoty Potok, in 2014–2015. Both sites are located in Silesia, considered one of the European air pollution hot-spots. TGM was measured on-line (Tekran 2537). PM2.5 samples were taken with the use of low volume samplers. Hg contents in PM were determined by the CVAAS method following thermal decomposition. The median concentrations of TGM and PBM in Zabrze were 2.48 ng m−3 and 37.87 pg m−3, respectively; meanwhile in Zloty Potok, these were 1.69 ng m−3 and 27.82 pg m−3, respectively. Clearly, seasonal variability of TGM and PBM concentrations were observed, reflecting the importance of Hg and PM emissions from coal combustion for power and heating purposes. Health risk assessment was performed using a deterministic approach by the most conservative exposure scenario. The obtained HQ ratios and the cumulative HI indexes were below the limit value (&lt;1). This means an unlikely health hazard due mercury inhalation.</jats:p

Distribution of gaseous and particle-bound Hg concentrations at the sites representative for urban and non-urban zones of Silesia Province

The basic features of the distribution of total gaseous (TGM) and particle-bound mercury (PBM) concentrations were determined for a five locations representative for urban (Bielsko-Biała, Lubliniec, Zabrze) and rural areas (Godów, Złoty Potok) of Silesia Province. Gaseous mercury concentrations were measured (1) continuously - the automatic 1h TGM measurements in Zloty Potok and Zabrze and (2) non-continuously manual 24h TGM measurements with a pre-concentration of the Hg on gold traps (Bielsko-Biała, Lubliniec, Godów). The PBM concentrations were measured non-continuously by taking PM2.5 samples. The Hg content was determined by using a CVAAS method. The highest average concentration of TGM was recorded in Zabrze (2.8ng/m3), significantly lower (2.0ng/m3) in Bielsko-Biała and in the non-urban station in Godów, the lowest concentration (<2.0 ng/m3) was observed in Lubliniec and at the regional background station in Zloty Potok. The results obtained for TGM concentrations exceeded the European average level of 1.5 ng/m3 (AirBase, 2014). The highest average PBM concentration, associated with PM2.5, was obtained in Zabrze (70pg/m3), more than 20% lower results were obtained in Bielsko-Biała and Godów, finally, the lowest one (lower by about 40% in comparison with Zabrze) were obtained in Lubliniec and Złoty Potok. Moreover, an enrichment of Hg concentration in PM was observed with the increasing of the PM content, during the heating season

Distribution of gaseous and particle-bound Hg concentrations at the sites representative for urban and non-urban zones of Silesia Province

The basic features of the distribution of total gaseous (TGM) and particle-bound mercury (PBM) concentrations were determined for a five locations representative for urban (Bielsko-Biała, Lubliniec, Zabrze) and rural areas (Godów, Złoty Potok) of Silesia Province. Gaseous mercury concentrations were measured (1) continuously - the automatic 1h TGM measurements in Zloty Potok and Zabrze and (2) non-continuously manual 24h TGM measurements with a pre-concentration of the Hg on gold traps (Bielsko-Biała, Lubliniec, Godów). The PBM concentrations were measured non-continuously by taking PM2.5 samples. The Hg content was determined by using a CVAAS method. The highest average concentration of TGM was recorded in Zabrze (2.8ng/m3), significantly lower (2.0ng/m3) in Bielsko-Biała and in the non-urban station in Godów, the lowest concentration (<2.0 ng/m3) was observed in Lubliniec and at the regional background station in Zloty Potok. The results obtained for TGM concentrations exceeded the European average level of 1.5 ng/m3 (AirBase, 2014). The highest average PBM concentration, associated with PM2.5, was obtained in Zabrze (70pg/m3), more than 20% lower results were obtained in Bielsko-Biała and Godów, finally, the lowest one (lower by about 40% in comparison with Zabrze) were obtained in Lubliniec and Złoty Potok. Moreover, an enrichment of Hg concentration in PM was observed with the increasing of the PM content, during the heating season