Temporal and spatial analysis of anthropogenic mercury and CO2 emissions from municipal solid waste incineration in China: Implications for mercury and climate change mitigation

Abstract

The contribution of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) to anthropogenic mercury and CO₂ emissions have become increasingly important over the past decade. This study developed an inventory of anthropogenic mercury emissions and CO₂ emissions during the period of 2014-2020, of MSWI process in China using a bottom-up inventory at the plant level. Overall, national MSWI anthropogenic mercury emissions increased from 2014 to 2020 by province. It was estimated that total 8321.09 kg of anthropogenic mercury emissions from 548 MSWI plants were scattered in 31 provinces of mainland China in 2020. The average intensity of mercury emission in China was 0.06 g·t^-1 in 2020, which was much lower than the pre-2010 level. Furthermore, the increased CO₂ emission generated by MSWI from 2014 to 2020 is 1.97 times. Anthropogenic mercury emissions and CO₂ emissions were concentrated mainly in developed coastal provinces and cities. The general uncertainty of national mercury emissions and CO₂ emissions was estimated to be -123% to 323% and -130% to 335%, respectively. Furthermore, future emissions were predicted from 2030 to 2060 based on different scenarios of the independent and collaborative effects of control proposals, the results indicate that the enhancement of advanced air pollution control technologies and effective management of MSWI represent pivotal factors in realizing future reductions in CO₂ and mercury emissions. The findings will supplement those for mercury and CO₂ emissions, and be useful for relevant policy-making and to improve urban air quality, as well as human health.

Keywords: CO(2) emission inventory; Mercury emission inventory; Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI); Scenario analysis; Structural equation model.