Canada’s Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory Report 2024: chapter 2.9
2.9 Mercury
Approximately 3.0 t of mercury (Hg) were emitted in Canada in 2022 (Table 2–11). Ore and Mineral Industries accounted for 34% (1.0 t) of Hg emissions in 2022, with the Iron and Steel Industry sector contributing 15% (0.45 t) of the national total. Incineration and Waste sources accounted for 28% (0.82 t) of Hg emissions in 2022, with Crematoriums being the largest contributor at 22% (0.64 t). Electric Power Generation (Utilities) accounted for 16% (0.50 t) of 2022 emissions, most of which were emitted from coal-powered electric generation with 16% (0.46 t) of the annual national total.
Between 1990 and 2022, Hg emissions decreased by 91% (31 t) (Figure 2–9). This decrease in emissions is mainly due to a large drop in emissions from the Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry sector. As with Pb and Cd emissions, reductions in Hg emissions coincide with the closure of outdated smelters, the implementation of pollution prevention plans, achieving BLIERs for particulate matter through Environmental Performance Agreements, increased emission control measures, such as changing feedstocks, improved particulate matter emission controls and fuel switching (ECCC, 2017, 2018a).
Emission reductions from Electric Power Generation (Utilities) are largely due to the closure of coal-fired electricity generation facilities and from the addition of Hg controls to plants. Coal electric power generation experienced a significant decrease in Hg emissions of 16% (95 kg) between 2019 and 2020 with a subsequent decrease of 1.6% (7.7 kg) between 2020 and 2021, attributable to plant closures and a decrease in coal consumption. This decreasing trend has continued between 2021 and 2022, with Hg emissions decreasing by 2.2% (10 kg). For the Incineration and Waste source category, decreases in emissions of 68% (1.8 t) from 1990 to 2022 are the result of a reduction of Hg emissions reported by incineration facilities attributed to a reduction in Hg in products, such as dental amalgams and mercury-containing lamps, going into the waste stream.
The most significant changes in Hg emissions from 1990 to 2022 include:
- Ore and Mineral Industry: decrease of 96% (25 t), with:
- Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry: decrease of almost 100% (25 t)
- Electric Power Generation (Utilities): decrease of 78% (1.8 t), with:
- Coal: decrease of 76% (1.5 t)
- Incineration and Waste: decrease of 68% (1.8 t), with:
- Waste Incineration: decrease of 94% (1.5 t)
- Waste Treatment and Disposal: decrease of 89% (0.73 t)
Figure 2–9: Trends in Canadian Hg Emissions (1990 to 2022)
Long description for Figure 2-9
Figure 2–9 is a stacked area graph displaying the five major contributors to national Mercury trends that are the following: Waste Treatment and Disposal, Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry, Iron and Steel Industry, Coal (Electric Power Generation), and Other. The figure shows an important decrease in emissions of Hg between 1990 and 2022. The following table displays the contributions (t) for the years 1990 to 2022.
| Sector Name | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.3 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.9 |
| Coal (Electric Power Generation) | 1.9 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.91 | 0.81 | 0.80 | 0.66 | 0.68 | 0.63 | 0.61 | 0.59 | 0.58 | 0.48 | 0.47 | 0.46 |
| Iron and Steel Industry | 0.71 | 0.72 | 0.73 | 0.74 | 0.74 | 0.75 | 0.76 | 0.81 | 0.82 | 0.83 | 0.79 | 0.79 | 0.85 | 0.91 | 0.86 | 0.85 | 0.78 | 0.72 | 0.70 | 0.57 | 0.63 | 0.57 | 0.59 | 0.64 | 0.63 | 0.60 | 0.64 | 0.57 | 0.57 | 0.49 | 0.47 | 0.46 | 0.45 |
| Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry | 25 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 8.2 | 4.6 | 5.7 | 3.4 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.84 | 0.55 | 0.22 | 0.26 | 0.36 | 0.29 | 0.18 | 0.22 | 0.14 | 0.20 | 0.12 | 0.16 | 0.19 | 0.10 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | 0.82 | 0.84 | 0.85 | 0.86 | 0.87 | 0.83 | 0.84 | 0.85 | 0.69 | 0.69 | 0.68 | 0.66 | 0.66 | 0.52 | 0.52 | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.51 | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.10 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.09 |
Table 2-11: National Summary of Annual Hg Emissions
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 26 000 | 3 400 | 2 900 | 1 200 | 1 300 | 1 100 | 1 100 | 1 200 | 1 000 |
| Aluminium Industry | 18 | 31 | 43 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 19 |
| Asphalt Paving Industry | 24 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 16 |
| Cement and Concrete Industry | 460 | 390 | 210 | 330 | 300 | 300 | 290 | 350 | 230 |
| Foundries | 210 | 120 | 4.3 | — | — | — | — | 0.00 | — |
| Iron and Steel Industry | 710 | 790 | 850 | 570 | 570 | 490 | 470 | 460 | 450 |
| Iron Ore Pelletizing | 60 | 60 | 50 | 70 | 73 | 79 | 73 | 79 | 68 |
| Mineral Products Industry | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mining and Rock Quarrying | 22 | 17 | 29 | 19 | 110 | 110 | 110 | 120 | 120 |
| Non-Ferrous Refining and Smelting Industry | 25 000 | 1 900 | 1 700 | 140 | 200 | 120 | 160 | 190 | 95 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 120 | 61 | 83 | 70 | 74 | 70 | 68 | 76 | 92 |
| Downstream Oil and Gas Industry | 110 | 26 | 46 | 47 | 50 | 46 | 42 | 54 | 53 |
| Upstream Oil and Gas Industry | 3.0 | 36 | 38 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 22 | 40 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2 200 | 2 000 | 2 200 | 630 | 610 | 610 | 500 | 500 | 490 |
| Coal | 1 900 | 2 000 | 2 000 | 610 | 590 | 580 | 480 | 470 | 460 |
| Diesel | 12 | 22 | 27 | 0.00 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Landfill Gas | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Natural Gas | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other (Electric Power Generation) | 290 | 62 | 91 | 17 | 22 | 30 | 22 | 23 | 23 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1 100 | 1 400 | 500 | 100 | 110 | 89 | 76 | 86 | 81 |
| Abrasives Manufacturing | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bakeries | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Biofuel Production | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chemicals Industry | 170 | 82 | 45 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 17 |
| Electronics | 400 | 760 | 60 | 11 | 7.8 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Food Preparation | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.30 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Glass Manufacturing | 28 | 28 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Grain Industry | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Metal Fabrication | 16 | 17 | 16 | — | — | — | 3.1 | 4.3 | 3.9 |
| Plastics Manufacturing | 0.00 | 0.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pulp and Paper Industry | 98 | 130 | 58 | 58 | 59 | 48 | 48 | 47 | 44 |
| Textiles | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Manufacturing (Engines. Parts. Assembly. Painting) | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wood Products | 260 | 190 | 89 | 13 | 25 | 24 | 11 | 16 | 17 |
| Other (Manufacturing) | 120 | 170 | 210 | 0.00 | 0.56 | 0.33 | — | 0.00 | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 120 | 120 | 120 | 80 | 85 | 80 | 69 | 68 | 69 |
| Air Transportation (LTO) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Domestic Marine Navigation, Fishing and Military | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 0.20 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.12 | 0.13 | 0.13 |
| Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles | 0.11 | 0.20 | 0.26 | 0.30 | 0.31 | 0.31 | 0.26 | 0.29 | 0.32 |
| Heavy-Duty Gasoline Vehicles | 0.64 | 0.79 | 0.87 | 0.71 | 0.70 | 0.69 | 0.63 | 0.64 | 0.60 |
| Heavy-Duty LPG/NG Vehicles | 0.086 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Light-Duty Diesel Trucks | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Light-Duty Diesel Vehicles | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Light-Duty Gasoline Trucks | 4.3 | 7.4 | 8.6 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 |
| Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicles | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Light-Duty LPG/NG Trucks | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Light-Duty LPG/NG Vehicles | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Motorcycles | 0.076 | 0.10 | 0.14 | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.30 | 0.25 | 0.24 | 0.23 |
| Off-Road Diesel Vehicles and Equipment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Off-Road Gasoline/LPG/NG Vehicles and Equipment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rail Transportation | 100 | 98 | 95 | 53 | 56 | 51 | 45 | 43 | 43 |
| Tire Wear and Brake Lining | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 6.5 |
| Agricultural Fuel Combustion | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 6.5 |
| Animal Production | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Crop Production | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1 100 | 780 | 740 | 460 | 450 | 440 | 420 | 400 | 400 |
| Commercial and Institutional Fuel Combustion | 47 | 62 | 63 | 67 | 69 | 71 | 66 | 61 | 65 |
| Commercial Cooking | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Construction Fuel Combustion | 2.6 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.6 |
| Home Firewood Burning | 28 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 20 |
| Human | 110 | 24 | 18 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| Marine Cargo Handling | — | — | 2.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Residential Fuel Combustion | 64 | 76 | 75 | 69 | 72 | 74 | 71 | 69 | 72 |
| Service Stations | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other (Miscellaneous) | 820 | 590 | 560 | 300 | 290 | 270 | 260 | 250 | 240 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2 600 | 2 200 | 1 400 | 740 | 740 | 750 | 810 | 860 | 820 |
| Crematoriums | 190 | 260 | 330 | 540 | 560 | 570 | 630 | 640 | 640 |
| Waste Incineration | 1 600 | 1 300 | 600 | 94 | 81 | 91 | 91 | 130 | 93 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | 820 | 680 | 490 | 100 | 93 | 92 | 91 | 94 | 90 |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dry Cleaning | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| General Solvent Use | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Printing | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Surface Coatings | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Coal Transportation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Construction Operations | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mine Tailings | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Paved Roads | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Unpaved Roads | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Prescribed Burning | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Structural Fires | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ore and Mineral Industry | 26 000 | 3 400 | 2 900 | 1 200 | 1 300 | 1 100 | 1 100 | 1 200 | 1 000 |
| Oil and Gas Industry | 120 | 61 | 83 | 70 | 74 | 70 | 68 | 76 | 92 |
| Electric Power Generation (Utilities) | 2 200 | 2 000 | 2 200 | 630 | 610 | 610 | 500 | 500 | 490 |
| Manufacturing | 1 100 | 1 400 | 500 | 100 | 110 | 89 | 76 | 86 | 81 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | 120 | 120 | 120 | 80 | 85 | 80 | 69 | 68 | 69 |
| Agriculture | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 6.5 |
| Commercial/Residential/Institutional | 1 100 | 780 | 740 | 460 | 450 | 440 | 420 | 400 | 400 |
| Incineration and Waste | 2 600 | 2 200 | 1 400 | 740 | 740 | 750 | 810 | 860 | 820 |
| Paints and Solvents | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dust | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Fires | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Grand Total | 34 000 | 10 000 | 7 900 | 3 300 | 3 400 | 3 200 | 3 100 | 3 200 | 3 000 |
Notes:
Totals may not add up due to rounding.
0.00 Indicates emissions were truncated due to rounding.
— Indicates no emissions
| Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Air Transportation (Cruise) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| International Air Transportation (Cruise) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| International Marine Navigation | 2.8 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 0.19 | 0.20 | 0.14 | 0.10 | 0.11 | 0.097 |
Note:
Refer to Annex 4.4 for more information on international marine navigation and air transportation reporting emissions.
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