Mercury Mines in Europe
63
Fig. 6. The Mt. Amiata district (Italy)
4.2
Main Sources of Atmospheric Mercury
In 1990, Bargagli, using epiphytic lichens, stated that contaminated soils around
mining and smelting plants constitute the main source of environmental
pollution. Emission from geothermal power plants is remarkable, but the
diffusion of hot stream probably causes less local contamination.
Only recently, using either the flux chamber technique or the remote sensing
technique called LIDAR, Ferrara et al. (1998) have been able to individuate and
quantify mercury fluxes. Of particular interest is the determination carried out
with the LIDAR system.
On an annual basis, the main atmospheric mercury source is the emission
from the five geothermal power plants (~1l00 kg/a; Ferrara et al. 1994) not only
because of its high value but also because this remains constant during the year,
63
Fig. 6. The Mt. Amiata district (Italy)
4.2
Main Sources of Atmospheric Mercury
In 1990, Bargagli, using epiphytic lichens, stated that contaminated soils around
mining and smelting plants constitute the main source of environmental
pollution. Emission from geothermal power plants is remarkable, but the
diffusion of hot stream probably causes less local contamination.
Only recently, using either the flux chamber technique or the remote sensing
technique called LIDAR, Ferrara et al. (1998) have been able to individuate and
quantify mercury fluxes. Of particular interest is the determination carried out
with the LIDAR system.
On an annual basis, the main atmospheric mercury source is the emission
from the five geothermal power plants (~1l00 kg/a; Ferrara et al. 1994) not only
because of its high value but also because this remains constant during the year,