Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
15th Edition
ISBN: 9781337408332
Author: Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher: Cengage Learning
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 2, Problem 1DAA

Mercury Emissions by Continent By weight, coal does not contain much mercury, but we burn a lot of it. Several industries besides coal-fired power plants contribute substantially to atmospheric mercury pollution. FIGURE 2.13 shows mercury emissions by industry from different regions of the world in 2010.

Chapter 2, Problem 1DAA, Mercury Emissions by Continent By weight, coal does not contain much mercury, but we burn a lot of

FIGURE 2.13 Global mercury emissions by sector, 2010.

About how many metric tons of mercury were released in total from these regions?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To determine: The total metric tons of mercury released from the regions given in the Fig. 2.13.

Introduction: Mercury is a toxic element and is naturally found in water, air, and soil. It is released in the environment through weathering of rocks, volcanic activity, and human activity. Human activity is mainly responsible for the mercury releases especially burning of coal in the coal-fired power stations, domestic uses, waste incinerators, industries, and mining of metals.

Explanation of Solution

As given in the problem statement, various industries besides coal-fired power plants contribute to mercury pollution in the atmosphere. Refer Fig. 2.13, “Global mercury emissions by sector, 2010” in the textbook. The graphical representation shows mercury emission (metric tons) by industries from different continents of the world in 2010. The data were reported from seven continents including Asia, Africa, Russia, Europe, North America, Middle East, and South and Central America. The mercury emissions released from various sectors included waste from consumer products, oil refining, cremation, waste incineration, mining, fossil fuel combustion, chlorine, cement, and metal production. On the basis of the data given in Fig. 2.13, Asia has the maximum mercury emissions reported as approximately 1100 metric tons. The approximate amount of mercury released by each continent is as follows:

  • Asia – 1100 metric tons
  • Africa – 380 metric tons
  • South and Central America – 350 metric tons
  • Europe – 180 metric tons
  • North America – 80 metric tons
  • Russia – 60 metric tons
  • Middle East – 40 metric tons

By summing up the amount of mercury emissions from the seven continents, the total amount of mercury released (metric tons) comes to approximately 2200 metric tons.

Conclusion

The total mercury released by industry from different regions of the world in 2010 was 2200 metric tons.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
What are biofertilizers and mention the significance
PCBs and River Otters: Otters in Washington State’s Green-Duwamish River have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their livers. PCBs can bind to the estrogen receptors in animals and disrupt the endocrine system of these otters. The PCBs seem to increase the estrogen to androgen ratio, skewing the ratio toward too much estrogen.     How would increased estrogen affect the river otter population? Based on your reading of the materials in this unit, what factors can affect fertility in humans?   Explain how each of the factors affecting human fertility that you described can disrupt the human endocrine system to affect reproduction.
Other than oil and alcohol, are there other liquids you could compare to water (that are liquid at room temperature)? How is water unique compared to these other liquids? What follow-up experiment would you like to do, and how would you relate it to your life?
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...
Biology
ISBN:9781337408332
Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:9781305577206
Author:Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Grisham
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Aquaculture Science
Biology
ISBN:9781133558347
Author:Parker
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...
Biology
ISBN:9781305073951
Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Air Pollution for Kids | Learn about the Causes and Effects of Air Pollution; Author: Learn Bright;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjtgu2CxtEk;License: Standard Youtube License