HEAVY METALS EMISSIONS INVENTORY AND CONCENTRATIONS IN THE ENVIRONMENT IN RUSSIA: SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL TREND ANALYSIS.

 

Veronika A. Ginzburg, Sergey A. Gromov

 

Laboratory of Integrated Monitoring, Institute of Geography RAS, Glebovskaya 20-B, 107258, Moscow, Russia

E-mail: vergiliy@mtu-net.ru, fax: 7 (095) 1600831, tel.: 7 (095) 1600840

 

Abstract

The general idea of this study is to summarize various available information on atmospheric heavy metal emissions over the territory of Russia as well as make the analytical comparison of different information sources. Spatial distribution and temporal trends of heavy metals antropogenic emissions are presented in the article. The assessment is made for the period from 1990 till now (the latest available data are for the year 1997) and covers the whole territory of Russia based on the administrative division. Lead (Pb) is used in the study as a basic element for which the most complete data are presented. However, some partial space and time distribution analysis of other heavy metals (Cd and Hg) is also included in the article. The main principles of the spatial distribution of heavy metal concentrations in the environment of background territories is evaluated from the point of view of their correlation with emission fields.

 

Introduction

Heavy metal emissions into the atmosphere cause global environmental problems due to the long life of these elements, their capacity to be transported over long distances, and also their increasing rate of accumulation in the environment even in the most remote territories. Most trace elements enter the atmosphere by natural and man-made aerosols. The main sources of natural aerosols in the atmosphere are soil erosion and weathering of mountain rocks, volcanic and space dust, forest fire smoke and others. Major antropogenic sources of toxic elements are fossil fuel combustion, mining, industrial processes and waste incineration. The antropogenic flow of heavy metals into the atmosphere is about 94-97% of the total flow.

An inventory of emission sources is a necessary step in developing both a control strategy and also a model of global and regional cycles of trace elements. However, for the territory of Russia there is still no proper information about the level of emissions. Data presented in different sources are very much different. The general idea of this study is to summarize various available information on atmospheric heavy metal emissions over the territory of Russia compare data presented by different information sources.

The results of emissions inventory are compared with measurement data of heavy metals contents in the atmosphere gathering from Integrated Background Monitoring Network (IBMoN) stations. The IBMoN was established in the former Soviet Union as a specific observation system, which main goal is to detect an anthropogenic impact on regional and global environment as well as to reflect global and regional trends of environmental pollution level.

 

Method

There are three main types of information sources on emissions pattern in Russia: official statistical data, expert evaluations and data of emissions inventory made in the framework of international projects. All these sources has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this paper official statistical data are gathered from statistical reports of Russian industrial enterprises, prepared according to officially ratified form (General report … 1994, Year book… 1997, Year book… 1998). Activity concerning the EMEP program and the realization of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution not only engaged countries to submit annual emissions data but also initiated many experts investigations. Therefore, in this paper emissions data presented for the joint report of EMEP Centers (1999) are used as an example of emissions inventory made in the framework of international projects. Emissions evaluation made by Yasenskiy et al. (1998) is used as an example of expert's estimations. Industrial emissions of Pb, Cd and Hg are calculated by Yasenskiy et al. (1998) using official statistics on fossil fuel consumption and emission coefficients adopted to Russian conditions from the atmospheric emission inventory guidebook (1996).

Official statistics, which represents the most completed set of sources and allows analyzing spatial distribution fields of emissions, is usually presented in the form of total emissions per administrative unit. Expert’s evaluations, which are usually more precise but represent only a certain sample of sources, are made for all main industrial sources and transport based on initial data on fuel balance. All data on transport emissions are taken from expert evaluations. Transport emissions are estimated according to road density and fuel consumption. The fuel balance data for the territory of Russia (per administrative units) are used as a basic material for motor petrol consumption

 

Results and discussion

Total emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury published by official authorities are significantly lower than experts evaluations and even lower than data prepared by Russia in the framework of the Convention. Data of official inventory for lead in 1993 were 9 times less than experts evaluations, for cadmium - up to 30 times less (Table 1).

Table 1.

Emissions of Pb, Cd and Hg in Russia in 1993 according to different sources, t/year.

 

Official statistics

Official data prepared for the Convention

Experts evaluations

Lead

1070

2376

9168

Cadmium

6

59

188

Mercury

7,8

11,8

30

 

Temporal trends of heavy metal emissions are presented on Fig. 1. The curves named "lead", "cadmium" and "mercury" reflect data obtained from official statistics, while curves named "lead1", "cadmium1" and "mercury1" reflect data prepared in the framework of the Convention. According to all these data (except "cadmium"), emissions of the elements decreased during the last decade. The growth of cadmium emissions according to official data can be explained by the including of greater number of sources into inventory than it was in previous years.

Despite the fact, proved by different investigator, that official statistical information is usually quite far from reality, it represents probably the most completed set of sources and provides spatial distribution fields of emissions. Therefore, the share of different economic regions on total emissions of Pb, Cd and Hg in Russia was analyzed according to official statistical data (Fig. 2).

The most valuable contribution to the total emissions of lead and cadmium provides by Ural region (up to 74-77%). That is the most industrialized region of Russia. Even taking into account the area of different regions, emissions per square kilometer are the highest in Ural region (about 900 t Pb per sq.km/year). About 70% of mercury is emitted from the industries situated in Ural and East Siberian regions (40 and 30% respectively). Emission from vehicles is shared more equally among regions. It is mainly depends of traffic activity and the area of the region.

The contribution of various industries in total lead and mercury emissions in Russia is presented on Fig. 3 The most important industrial emission sources of lead in Russia is metallurgy enterprises, especially non-ferrous metal industry. The most important role in mercury emission played by chemical industry, which contribute about 55% of total industrial emissions. About 40% of mercury is emitted from non-ferrous metal industry.

 

From this point of view it is interesting to compare geographical distribution of emission sources and concentration fields of heavy metals in the atmosphere. According to the data of the review of the state of background environment over the territory of CIS countries and its dynamic during the last ten years (1999) there are three types of territories characterized by comparatively low, medium and high levels of Pb and Cd concentrations in the atmosphere. The highest concentrations are observed at the European part of Russia and over territories situated less than 1000 km from main emissions sources.

Average annual concentrations of lead over the European part of Russia are varied in the limits of 4.8-11 ng/m3. The highest concentration over the territory of Russia is observed in Astrahanskiy and Voronezhskiy reserves - 9.8 ng/m3 and 11 ng/m3 respectively. Variation of concentrations from year to year is quite significant. Average annual concentrations of lead over the European part of Russia are varied from 0.18 to 0.25 ng/m3. Annual average concentrations of mercury in the atmosphere of Russia are varied in the limits of 3-11 ng/m3.

Penetration of air masses from industrial and urban regions significantly influences the concentration of heavy metals in the atmosphere of background regions. It can cause increasing of concentrations up to 5-10 times. Influence of regional sources can also appear in formation of pollution clouds over cities which are then transported to background territories and deposed with precipitation.

 

References

Atmospheric emission inventory guidebook (1999). Second Edition. Edited by S.Richardson. Joint EMEP/CORINAIR, Vol.1-3.

EMEP report (1999). Monitoring and modelling of lead, cadmium and mercury transboundary transport in the atmosphere of Europe. Joint report of EMEP Centres: MSC-E and CCC 3/99

Review of the state of background environment over the territory of CIS countries and its dynamic during the last ten years. Edited by Izrael YuA, Rovinskiy F.Ya (1999). St.Peterburg: Gidrometeoizdat (In Russian).

General report on protection of the atmosphere in 1993 (Statistic data) (1994) Russian State Comittee for Statistics, Moscow.(In Russian)

Yearbook on pollution emissions into the atmosphere of cities and regions of Russia in 1995. Edited by Milyaev VB, Nikolaev VD, Yasenskiy AN. (1997). St.Peterburg (in Russian).

Year book on pollution emissions into the atmosphere of cities and regions of Russia in 1997. Edited by Milyaev VB, Nikolaev VD, Yasenskiy AN. (1998). St.Peterburg (in Russian).

Yasenskiy AN, Yacenko-Hmelevskaya MA. (1998) Emissions of heavy metals over European part of Russia according to statistical data and expert evaluations. Proceedings of EMEP workshop on heavy metals and POPs emissions inventory.

 

List of figures:

Figure 1. Time trend of Pb, Cd and Hg emissions.

Figure 2. The share of economic regions in total industrial emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury and vehicle emissions of lead in Russia, %

Figure 3. Contribution of various industries in total lead and mercury emissions in Russia, %

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


Figure 1. Time trend of Pb, Cd and Hg emissions

 

 


 

 



Figure 2. The share of economic regions in total industrial emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury and vehicle emissions of lead in Russia, %

 

 


 


Figure 3. Contribution of various industries in total lead and mercury emissions in Russia, %