A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive ...

..:::::::::: mercury and its compounds
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21 Mercury and its compounds
� Mercury is a widely used toxic heavy metal
which has been used in measuring instruments,
switches, lights, dentistry, anti fouling in paints,
batteries and chloro-alkali industries.
� Mercury is found in significant levels in fresh
water fish in Norway.
� There is no further need for screening, but
Inner Oslofjord should be further investigated.
Production and use
Globally, mercury has been used in dentistry,
measuring and control equipment, batteries and
lamps. The chloro-alkaline industry is also
known to use large amounts. Mercury has also
been used as a pesticide and biocide on grain
and in paper industry. In Norway, most use is
banned or restricted. Currently, Hg is found in
old electrical appliances, amalgam in teeth and
in lights (tubes, energy saving light bulbs and
headlamps on cars). In connection with the
phasing out of PCB in road lightning, Hg road
lights all over Norway are often substituted
with Na (sodium) lamps.
Emissions, discharges,
distribution and hot-spots
Mercury has not been mined in Norway, but
there has been a limited production as a byproduct
at Norzink, Odda in Hordaland
County.
According to SFT, 1 100 kg Mercury was emitted
in 2002. Main emissions were from land
based industry (41 %), transport (26 %), amalgam
(18 %), waste management - incineration
and landfills (7 %), oil and gas industry (3 %)
and other (5 %). There has been a 58 % drop
in emissions since 1995.
Discharges to water have dropped from 1174 to
appr. 65 kilos in 2002. Emissions to air have
dropped from 1400 kg in 1990 to 640 kg in
2003. Imported mercury in product has
dropped from 3600 kilos to about 40 kilos in
the same period. Drop in emission to air is
caused by reductions from incinerators and crematoriums,
from oil and gas sector and landfills
and by reduction from industrial sources often
due to closing of plants. Drop in discharges to
water are mainly caused by lower emissions
A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive
TA-2140/2005
FACTS
Cas no.: 7439-97-6
Synonyms: Kvikksølv. HgS: Cinnabar H2Cl2: Calomel,
CH3-Hg methyl mercury (most toxic).
Properties: Heavy silvery liquid.
Toxic effects: Mercury and mercury compounds are
toxic. It causes damage on inner organs and is very
toxic to aquatic organisms. Both short-term and longterm
exposure to mercury in humans may result in
central nervous system (CNS) effects. Inorganic mercury
accumulates within the brain, causing CNS
effects. Organic mercury has high lipid solubility and
is distributed throughout the body, accumulating in
the brain, kidney, liver, hair, and skin. Some compounds
are suspected carcinogen (methyl mercury),
and teratogenic. Mammals and aquatic organisms
accumulates mercury (HSDB, CIRCA).
Log Kow: -
Persistence: -
Water solubility: Insoluble to 63,9 µg/l
Molecular formula: Hg
Metabolites: -
from the oil and gas sector and from dentistry.
Estimates for concentrations in municipal waste
are 1-1,5 mg/kg (EU). Long range transboundary
air pollution contributes significantly to
mercury pollution in Norwegian environment.
Three main hotspots are former chorine-production
plants at Herøya, the landfill Opsund in
Sarpsborg, and a sunken German WWII submarine
outside Fedje near Bergen. Emissions from
smelters due to Mercury pollution in raw materials
have created local high Mercury levels
around Eramet Porsgrunn, Eramet Sauda,
Tinfos Øye, Boliden Odda and Fundia Rana.
High concentrations are expected to be found in
sinks in older hospitals and at dentists. Finally,
minor hotspots may be found downstream from
old pulp-plants.
Monitoring
Monitoring of mercury has been part of JAMP
and RID. Time trends exist. Mercury has also
been investigated in several other studies (see
references).