Atmospheric Emission Inventory of Hazardous Trace Elements from China’s Coal-Fired Power Plants—Temporal Trends and Spatial Variation Characteristics

TLDR

Coal‑fired power plants are major anthropogenic sources of hazardous trace elements, and advanced technologies and integrated management strategies are urgently needed to control them. The study establishes a multi‑year emission inventory of eight hazardous trace elements from Chinese coal‑fired power plants (2000‑2010) to assess their temporal trends and spatial variation. The authors compiled this comprehensive inventory and projected future emissions for 2015 and 2020 using scenario analysis. Emissions of the eight hazardous trace elements have declined gradually since 2006, with 2010 totals of 118.54 t Hg, 335.45 t As, 459.4 t Se, 705.45 t Pb, 13.34 t Cd, 505.03 t Cr, 446.42 t Ni, and 82.33 t Sb, and Shandong, Jiangsu, Shanxi, and Hebei consistently rank among the top ten provinces.

Abstract

Coal-fired power plants are the important sources of anthropogenic atmospheric releases of various hazardous trace elements (HTE) because a large quantity of emissions can cause wide dispersion and possible long-distance transportation. To obtain the temporal trends and spatial variation characteristics of various HTE discharged from coal-fired power plants of China, a multiple-year comprehensive emission inventory of HTE including Hg, As, Se, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Sb has been established for the period 2000-2010. Thanks to the cobenefit removal effects of conventional particulate matter/sulfur dioxide/nitrogen oxides (PM/SO2/NOx) control devices, emissions of these 8 toxic elements have shown a gradual decline since the peak in 2006. The total emissions of Hg, As, Se, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Sb are substantial and are estimated at about 118.54, 335.45, 459.4, 705.45, 13.34, 505.03, 446.42, and 82.33 tons (t), respectively, in 2010. Shandong, Jiangsu, Shanxi, and Hebei always rank among the top ten provinces with the highest emissions. Further, future emissions for 2015 and 2020 are projected with scenario analysis. Advanced technologies and integrated management strategies to control HTE are in great need.