Archived: Air Pollutant Emission Inventory report: chapter 2.9
2.9 Mercury (Hg)
Approximately 4.4 t of Hg were emitted in Canada in 2015 (Table 2-11). Ore and mineral industries accounted for 31% (1.4 t) of Hg in 2015, with iron and steel industries contributing 16% (0.72 t) of the annual total. Incineration and waste sources also accounted for 31% (1.4 t) of Hg in 2015, with the waste sector being the largest contributor at 16% (0.68 t). Electric power generation (utilities) sources accounted for 18% (0.80 t) of 2015 emissions, most of which were emitted from coal-powered electric generation (17% of annual total, 0.74 t).
Between 1990 and 2015, Hg emissions decreased by 88% (31 t) (Figure 2-9). This decrease in emissions is mainly due to a large drop in emissions from the non-ferrous smelting and mining industry from 1990 to 2000, followed by a continued steady decline from 2001 to 2015. Reductions in this sector are mostly due to a facility changing from pyrometallurgical to hydrometallurgical zinc production and, to a smaller extent, to increased emission control measures, such as separation or changing of production materials, improved PM emission controls and fuel switching.
Emissions reductions from waste are also attributable to control measures, while reductions from electric power generation (utilities) are largely due to the closure of coal-fired electricity generation facilities and from the addition of mercury controls to plants. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) also developed several Canada-wide standards aimed at reducing the amount of Hg released to the environment, including standards for mercury-containing lamps, dental amalgam waste, and mercury emissions from coal-fired electric power generation plants.
The most significant changes in Hg emissions from 1990 to 2015 include:
- Ore and mineral industry source emissions: decrease of 95% (25 t)
- Non-ferrous smelting and mining industry: decrease of 99% (25 t)
- Iron and steel industry: decrease of 24% (0.23 t)
- Incineration and waste source emissions: decrease of 63% (2.3 t)
- Waste: decrease of 71% (1.7t)
- Electric power generation source emissions: decrease of 65% (1.5t)
- Coal: decrease of 62% (1.2t)
Long description for figure 2-9
| Sector | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sector 1 - Non-Ferrous Mining and Smelting Industry | 24.90383 | 24.86516 | 24.77849 | 10.63323 | 8.259225 | 4.647225 | 5.675582 | 3.391398 | 2.835762 | 2.27621 | 1.939635 | 2.12455 | 1.75016 | 1.288234 | 1.900836 | 1.701515 | 1.278611 | 1.416764 | 1.008495 | 0.839795 | 0.540576 | 0.210208 | 0.252115 | 0.358514 | 0.285666 | 0.175462 |
| Sector 2 - Iron and Steel Industries | 0.952516 | 0.974495 | 0.99197 | 1.192215 | 1.057658 | 1.029177 | 1.051612 | 1.106883 | 1.124403 | 1.137147 | 1.144629 | 1.128299 | 1.211393 | 1.16735 | 0.987886 | 0.793229 | 0.713993 | 0.889639 | 0.515859 | 0.453877 | 0.563821 | 0.578976 | 0.679739 | 0.696461 | 0.724815 | 0.721324 |
| Sector 3 - Coal (EPG) | 1.946809 | 1.839178 | 2.06287 | 1.880028 | 1.942295 | 1.945304 | 2.054615 | 2.193621 | 2.294786 | 2.301313 | 1.975202 | 2.005671 | 1.98936 | 2.270469 | 2.217719 | 2.049217 | 1.899754 | 2.072875 | 1.50709 | 1.579718 | 1.45155 | 0.913433 | 0.809776 | 0.799617 | 0.665641 | 0.738096 |
| Sector 4 - Waste | 2.388188 | 2.462927 | 2.598219 | 2.473313 | 2.532553 | 2.809053 | 1.472971 | 1.24027 | 1.03437 | 1.007415 | 1.392465 | 1.258379 | 1.11718 | 0.802835 | 0.798404 | 0.727714 | 0.729164 | 0.758847 | 0.727687 | 0.696986 | 0.680231 | 0.722432 | 0.725908 | 0.676751 | 0.724588 | 0.68259 |
| Sector 5 - Other | 4.92442 | 4.950618 | 4.876713 | 4.768609 | 4.606305 | 4.517859 | 4.309315 | 4.019078 | 3.812535 | 3.58615 | 3.725148 | 3.03176 | 2.903717 | 2.935979 | 2.593758 | 2.299732 | 2.272955 | 2.546873 | 2.794395 | 2.233447 | 2.247634 | 2.168314 | 2.002523 | 2.04296 | 1.999349 | 2.069376 |
| Source | Sector | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Total | 35,000 | 10,000 | 7,600 | 5,500 | 4,600 | 4,500 | 4,600 | 4,400 | 4,400 | |
| Ore and Mineral Industries | Empty | 27,000 | 3,700 | 2,900 | 1,600 | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,500 | 1,400 | 1,400 |
| Ore and Mineral Industries | Aluminium Industry | 18 | 31 | 43 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 21 | 19 | 21 |
| Ore and Mineral Industries | Asphalt Paving Industry | 24 | 22 | 22 | 28 | 27 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 |
| Ore and Mineral Industries | Cement and Concrete Industry | 460 | 390 | 210 | 310 | 300 | 300 | 310 | 300 | 300 |
| Ore and Mineral Industries | Foundries | 210 | 120 | 4.2 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Ore and Mineral Industries | Iron and Steel Industries | 950 | 1,100 | 790 | 560 | 580 | 680 | 700 | 720 | 720 |
| Ore and Mineral Industries | Iron Ore Industry | 60 | 60 | 50 | 85 | 100 | 98 | 100 | 74 | 72 |
| Ore and Mineral Industries | Mineral Products Industry | - | - | 0.036 | - | - | <0.01 | <0.01 | - | 44 |
| Ore and Mineral Industries | Mining and Rock Quarrying | 12 | 12 | 28 | 7.3 | 3.9 | 5 | 8.5 | 20 | 20 |
| Ore and Mineral Industries | Non-Ferrous Mining and Smelting Industry | 25,000 | 1,900 | 1,700 | 540 | 210 | 250 | 360 | 290 | 180 |
| Oil and Gas Industry | Empty | 120 | 61 | 83 | 130 | 100 | 100 | 120 | 89 | 74 |
| Oil and Gas Industry | Downstream Petroleum Industry | 110 | 26 | 46 | 55 | 46 | 45 | 48 | 46 | 49 |
| Oil and Gas Industry | Petroleum Product Transportation and Distribution | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Oil and Gas Industry | Upstream Petroleum Industry | 3 | 36 | 38 | 78 | 59 | 59 | 68 | 44 | 25 |
| Electric Power Generation (Utilities) | Empty | 2,300 | 2,200 | 2,200 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 860 | 850 | 710 | 800 |
| Electric Power Generation (Utilities) | Coal | 1,900 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,500 | 910 | 810 | 800 | 670 | 740 |
| Electric Power Generation (Utilities) | Diesel | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Electric Power Generation (Utilities) | Natural Gas | 11 | 10 | 25 | 56 | 56 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 26 |
| Electric Power Generation (Utilities) | Waste Materials | 69 | 110 | 7.5 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1 | 10 |
| Electric Power Generation (Utilities) | Other Electric Power Generation | 290 | 62 | 91 | 74 | 40 | 23 | 23 | 28 | 26 |
| Manufacturing | Empty | 1,100 | 1,400 | 300 | 150 | 110 | 140 | 130 | 120 | 130 |
| Manufacturing | Abrasives Manufacture | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Manufacturing | Bakeries | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Manufacturing | Biofuel Production | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Manufacturing | Chemicals Industry | 170 | 82 | 58 | 17 | 16 | 23 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
| Manufacturing | Electronics | 380 | 750 | 56 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 |
| Manufacturing | Food Preparation | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.3 | 0.04 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Manufacturing | Glass Manufacture | 28 | 28 | 21 | 12 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Manufacturing | Grain Processing | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Manufacturing | Metal Fabrication | 16 | 17 | 17 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 7.5 | <0.01 | <0.01 |
| Manufacturing | Plastics Manufacture | <0.01 | <0.01 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Manufacturing | Pulp and Paper Industry | 98 | 130 | 59 | 60 | 42 | 53 | 50 | 60 | 70 |
| Manufacturing | Textiles | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Manufacturing | Vehicle Manufacture (Engine, Parts, Assembly, Painting) | 0.012 | 0.012 | 0.023 | 0.16 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Manufacturing | Wood Products | 260 | 190 | 90 | 25 | 21 | 31 | 31 | 18 | 18 |
| Manufacturing | Other Manufacturing Industries | 150 | 180 | 4 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Empty | 110 | 100 | 100 | 83 | 89 | 89 | 85 | 86 | 86 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Air Transportation | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Heavy-duty diesel vehicles | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Heavy-duty gasoline vehicles | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Heavy-duty LPG/NG vehicles | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Light-duty diesel trucks | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Light-duty diesel vehicles | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Light-duty gasoline trucks | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.011 | 0.011 | 0.012 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Light-duty gasoline vehicles | 0.012 | 0.013 | 0.013 | 0.013 | 0.012 | 0.012 | 0.012 | 0.012 | 0.012 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Light-duty LPG/NG trucks | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Light-duty LPG/NG vehicles | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Marine Transportation | 4.3 | 6.2 | 7.2 | 6.6 | 5.7 | 4.8 | 3.9 | 3 | 2.1 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Motorcycles | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.01 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Off-road diesel vehicles and equipment | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Off-road gasoline/LPG/CNG vehicles and equipment | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Rail Transportation | 100 | 98 | 95 | 76 | 83 | 84 | 81 | 83 | 84 |
| Transportation and Mobile Equipment | Tire Wear and Brake Lining | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Agriculture | Empty | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 6 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Agriculture | Animal Production | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Agriculture | Crop Production | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Agriculture | Fuel Use | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 6 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Commercial / Residential / Institutional | Empty | 1,100 | 600 | 560 | 540 | 550 | 540 | 540 | 550 | 550 |
| Commercial / Residential / Institutional | Cigarette Smoking | 0.21 | 0.18 | 0.14 | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.11 |
| Commercial / Residential / Institutional | Commercial and Institutional Fuel Combustion | 47 | 61 | 63 | 54 | 58 | 54 | 55 | 59 | 59 |
| Commercial / Residential / Institutional | Commercial Cooking | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Commercial / Residential / Institutional | Construction Fuel Combustion | 2.6 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 2 | 2.1 | 2 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Commercial / Residential / Institutional | Home Firewood Burning | 54 | 48 | 40 | 40 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 40 | 40 |
| Commercial / Residential / Institutional | Human | 110 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Commercial / Residential / Institutional | Marine Cargo Handling | - | - | 2.8 | <0.01 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Commercial / Residential / Institutional | Residential Fuel Combustion | 64 | 72 | 72 | 68 | 75 | 69 | 74 | 79 | 79 |
| Commercial / Residential / Institutional | Service Stations | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Commercial / Residential / Institutional | Other Miscellaneous Sources | 870 | 390 | 360 | 360 | 360 | 360 | 360 | 360 | 360 |
| Incineration and Waste | Empty | 3,700 | 2,200 | 1,500 | 1,400 | 1,500 | 1,400 | 1,300 | 1,400 | 1,400 |
| Incineration and Waste | Crematoriums | 100 | 140 | 180 | 220 | 230 | 230 | 250 | 260 | 280 |
| Incineration and Waste | Industrial and Commercial Incineration | 110 | - | 120 | 110 | 110 | 0.014 | 0.014 | 0.014 | 0.014 |
| Incineration and Waste | Municipal Incineration | 510 | 350 | 230 | 200 | 200 | 190 | 190 | 190 | 190 |
| Incineration and Waste | Waste | 2,400 | 1,400 | 730 | 680 | 720 | 730 | 680 | 720 | 680 |
| Incineration and Waste | Other Incineration and Utilities | 580 | 280 | 230 | 210 | 210 | 210 | 210 | 210 | 210 |
| Paints and Solvents | Empty | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Paints and Solvents | Dry Cleaning | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Paints and Solvents | General Solvent Use | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Paints and Solvents | Printing | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Paints and Solvents | Surface Coatings | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dust | Empty | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dust | Coal Transportation | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dust | Construction Operations | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dust | Mine Tailings | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dust | Paved Roads | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dust | Unpaved Roads | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Fires | Empty | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Fires | Prescribed Forest Burning | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Fires | Structural Fires | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Notes:
Totals may not add up due to rounding.
- denotes no emissions.
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