Distribution of atmospheric mercury species in Northern Europe: final results from the MOE project

The mercury species over Europe (MOE) project was aimed at identifying sources, occurrence and atmospheric behaviour of atmospheric Hg species. Within MOE, emission measurements, ambient air measurements, process and regional-scale modelling and laboratory measurements were conducted. In this work, a summary of some of the main results is given. From the emission measurements, information on stack gas concentrations and emission factors for five coal fired power plants and three waste incinerators are presented. Results from field measurements of mercury species in ambient air at five locations in Northern Europe are presented. Examples from regional-scale atmospheric modelling are also given. The results emphasise the importance of information on Hg species for instance in emission inventories and measurement data from background sites. Furthermore, the importance of considering the role of the global cycling of mercury in future control strategies is emphasised.