Abstract
In this chapter information is summarized on the assessment of the risk of impacts of cadmium, lead and mercury emissions and related depositions of these metals, with an emphasis on natural areas in Europe. Depositions are compared to critical loads to identify areas in Europe where critical loads are exceeded. Critical loads of cadmium, lead and mercury were based on (i) computations by 18 Parties to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) and (ii) computations from available data on soil chemistry, meteorology and land cover for the other Parties. Two target years are considered, i.e. 2010 and 2020. Emissions for these years have been assessed in support of the negotiations for the review and possible revision of the Heavy metal protocol (Aarhus 1998). The relationship between emissions, depositions and critical load exceedances is analysed assuming the implementation of abatement techniques under Current LEgislation in 2010 (CLE2010) and in 2020 under Full Implementation of the Aarhus protocol (FI2020). Comparing the critical loads to atmospheric depositions in these years, shows that cadmium deposition is not a widespread risk in either years, that the computed risk of lead deposition affects about 22 and 16 % of natural European area in 2010 and 2020, respectively, and that mercury deposition is computed to affect an area of more than 74 % in both years.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
The map projection of the European Parties to the LRTAP Convention is described in http://www.emep.int/grid/EMEP_domain.pdf.
- 2.
Note from Sect. 21.2.1 that emissions of Hg under FI2020 are higher than under CLE2010.
- 3.
Finland and Sweden focussed on the assessment of effect 5, not shown in Fig. 21.6.
References
Åkerblom, S. (2006). Anthropogenic heavy metals in organic forest soils—distribution, microbial risk assessment and Hg mobility. Doctoral thesis No. 2006:67, Uppsala Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SLU.
Åkerblom, S., Meili, M., Bringmark, L., Johansson, K., Berggren Kleja, D., & Bergkvist, B. (2008). Partitioning of Hg between solid and dissolved organic matter in the humus layer of boreal forests. Water, Air & Soil Pollution, 189, 239–252.
Amann, M., Bertok, I., Cofala, J., Heyes, C., Klimont, Z., Rafaj, P., Schöpp, W., & Wagner, F. (2008). National emission ceilings for 2020 based on the 2008 climate & energy package. (NEC scenario analysis report Nr. 6). Laxenburg: International institute for applied systems analysis (IIASA).
AMAP/UNEP. (2008). Technical background report to the global atmospheric mercury assessment. Arctic monitoring and assessment programme/ UNEP chemicals branch.
Crommentuijn, T., Polder, M. D., & van de Plassche, E. J. (1997). Maximum permissible concentrations and negligible concentrations for metals, taking background concentrations into account. (Report no. 601501 001). Bilthoven, The Netherlands: National Institute of Public Health and the Environment.
Curlík, J., Šefcik, P., & Viechová, Z. (2000). Proceedings of UN/ECE Ad hoc international expert group on effect-based critical limits for heavy metals. Bratislava, Slovak Republik, 11–13 October 2000. Soil science and conservation research institute report.
De Vries, W., & Bakker, D. J. (1996). Manual for calculating critical loads of heavy metals for soils and surface waters. Preliminary guidelines for environmental quality criteria, calculation methods and input data. (Report 114). Wageningen, the Netherlands: DLO Winand Staring Centre.
De Vries, W., & Bakker, D. J. (1998). Manual for calculating critical loads of heavy metals for terrestrial ecosystems. Guidelines for critical limits, calculation methods and input data. (Report 166). Wageningen, the Netherlands: DLO Winand Staring Centre.
De Vries, W., Bakker, D. J., & Sverdrup, H. U. (1998). Manual for calculating critical loads of heavy metals for aquatic ecosystems. Guidelines for critical limits, calculation methods and input data. (Report 165). Wageningen, the Netherlands: DLO Winand Staring Centre.
De Vries, W., Schütze, G., Lofts, S., Meili, M., Römkens, P. F. A. M., Farret, R., De Temmerman, L., & Jakubowski, M. (2003). Critical limits for cadmium, lead and mercury related to ecotoxicological effects on soil organisms, aquatic organisms, plants, animals and humans. In Schütze et al. (Ed.), Proceedings of the Expert meeting on critical limits for heavy metals and methods for their application. Berlin 2–4 December 2002, held under the UN/ECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution. UBA-Texte 47/03 Umweltbundesamt Berlin.
De Vries, W., Schütze, G., Lofts, S., Tipping, E., Meili, M., Römkens, P. F. A. M., & Groenenberg, J. E. (2005). Calculation of critical loads for cadmium, lead and mercury. Background document to a Mapping Manual on Critical Loads of cadmium, lead and mercury. (Report 1104). Wageningen, the Netherlands: Alterra.
Denier van der Gon, H. A. C., Van Het Bolscher, M., Visschedijk, A. J. H., & Zandveld, P. Y. J. (2005). Study to the effectiveness of the UNECE Heavy Metals Protocol and costs of possible additional measures; Phase I: Estimation of emission reduction resulting from the implementation of the HM Protocol. (TNO Report B & O-A R 2005/193). TNO.
EC. (2007). European union risk assessment report, cadmium oxide and cadmium metal, Part I—environment, Existing substances, 3rd Priority List. (Vol. 72). Institute for health and consumer protection, European chemicals bureau http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/4ea8883d-bd43-45fb-86a3-14fa6fa9e6f3. Accessed 27 Nov 2014.
Eurosoil. (1999). Metadata: Soil geographical data base of Europe v. 3.2.8.0. Ispra: Eurosoil.
FAO. (1981). FAO-UNESCO soil map of the world, 1:5 000 000. Vol. V Europe. Paris: Unesco.
Gregor, H. D., Spranger, T., & Hönerbach, F. (Eds.). (1997). Critical limits and effects-based approaches for heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. United nations economic commission for Europe (UN/ECE), Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution (CLRTAP), Task force on mapping (TFM), Proceedings of a European workshop on effects-based approaches for heavy metals, bad harzburg, Germany, 3–7 Nov. 1997. Federal environmental agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, UBA-Texte 5/98.
Gregor, H.-D., Mohaupt-Jahr, B., & Hönerbach, F. (Eds.). (1999). Effects-based approaches for heavy metals. Schwerin, Germany, 12–15 Oct. 1999: United nations economic commission for Europe (UN/ECE), Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution (CLRTAP), Task force on mapping (TFM).
Hastings, D. A., & Dunbar, P. K. (1998). Development & assessment of the global land one-km base elevation digital elevation model (GLOBE). ISPRS Archives, 32, 218–221.
Hettelingh, J. P., Slootweg, J., Posch, M., & Ilyin, I. (2002). Preliminary modelling and mapping of critical loads of cadmium and lead in Europe. (RIVM Report 259101011). Bilthoven (The Netherlands): CCE MSC-East Moscow and CCE Bilthoven, RIVM.
Hettelingh, J.-P., Sliggers, J., van het Bolscher, M., Denier van der Gon, H., Groenenberg, B. J., Ilyin, I., Reinds, G. J., Slootweg, J., Travnikov, O., Visschedijk, A., & De Vries, W. (2006). Heavy metal emissions, depositions critical loads and exceedances in Europe. (Report for the Ministry of VROM, Report of the VROM directorate of climate change and industry). Den Haag: VROM-DGM, Directie Klimaatverandering en Industrie. http://www.wge-cce.org/dsresource?type=pdf&disposition=inline&objectid=rivmp:221375&versionid=&subobjectname=. Accessed 17 Nov 2014.
Ilyin, I., & Travnikov, O. (2010). Calculations of depositions of lead, cadmium and mercury for different options for the revision of the heavy metals protocol. In J. Slootweg, M. Posch, & J.-P. Hettelingh (Eds.), Progress in the modeling of critical thresholds and dynamic modeling, including impacts on vegetation in Europe (pp. 83–89). Coordination cenre for effects at the national institute for public health and the environment.
Ilyin, I., Rozovskaya, O., Sokovyh, V., Travnikov, O., & Aas, W. (2009). Heavy metals: Transboundary pollution of the environment. (EMEP Status Report 2/2009).
Knappe, F., Möhler, S., Ostermayer, A., Lazar, S., & Kaufmann, C. (2008). Vergleichende Auswertung von Stoffeinträgen in Böden über verschiedene Eintragspfade. (Forschungsbericht 203 74 275, FB 001168, UBA Texte 36/2008). Dessau: Umweltbundesamt.
Lofts, S., Spurgeon, D. J., Svendsen, C., & Tipping, E. (2004). Deriving soil critical limits for Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb: A method based on free ion concentrations. Environmental Science & Technology, 38, 3623–3631.
Meili, M. (1991). The coupling of mercury and organic matter in the biogeochemical cycle—towards a mechanistic model for the boreal forest zone. Water Air & Soil Pollution, 56, 333–347.
Meili, M. (1997). Mercury in lakes and rivers. In A. Sigel & H. Sigel (Eds.), Mercury and its effects on environment and biology (pp. 21–51). New York: Marcel Dekker Inc.
Meili, M., Bishop, K., Bringmark, L., Johansson, K., Munthe, J., Sverdrup, H., & De Vries, W. (2003). Critical levels of atmospheric pollution: Criteria and concepts for operational modelling of mercury in forest and lake ecosystems. Science of The Total Environment, 304, 83–106.
Pacyna, J. M., Scholtz, M. T., & Li, Y.-F. (1995). Global budget of trace metal sources. Environmental Reviews, 3, 145–159.
Posch, M., & Reinds, G. J. (2005). The European background database. In M. Posch, J.-P. Hettelingh, & J. Slootweg (Eds.), European critical loads and dynamic modelling. CCE Status Report 2005 (pp. 33–37). Bilthoven: RIVM Report 259101016/2005, ISBN 9069601281, Coordination centre for effects, National institute for public health and the environment.
Posch, M., Hettelingh, J.-P., & De Smet, P. A. M. (2001). Characterization of critical load exceedances in Europe. Water Air & Soil Pollution, 130, 1139–1144.
Posch, M., Reinds, G. J., & Slootweg, J. (2003). The European background data. In M. Posch, J.-P. Hettelingh, J. Slootweg, & R.J. Downing (Eds.), Modelling and mapping of critical thresholds in Europe. Status report 2003 Bilthoven: Coordination center for effects, RIVM Report 259101013, ISBN 90-6960-106-0.
Reinds, G. J., Groenenberg, J. E., & De Vries, W. (2006). Critical loads of copper, nickel, zinc, arsenic, chromium and selenium for terrestrial ecosystems at a European scale. A preliminary assessment. (Report 1355). Wageningen: Alterra green world research.
Reinds, G. J., Posch, M., De Vries, W., Slootweg, J., & Hettelingh, J. P. (2008). Critical loads of sulphur and nitrogen for terrestrial ecosystems in Europe and Northern Asia using different soil chemical criteria. Water Air & Soil Pollution, 193, 269–287.
Schütze, G., & Hettelingh, J.-P. (2006). Results of modelling and mapping of critical loads of lead, cadmium and mercury and critical concentrations of mercury in precipitation and their exceedances in Europe, Sufficiency and Effectiveness Review of the HM Protocol. (Chapter A3 15 June 2006, UNECE Convention on LRTAP).
Schütze, G., Lorenz, U., & Spranger, U. (2003). Expert Meeting on Critical Limits for Heavy Metals and Methods for their Application. Berlin: Proceedings, UBA Texte 47/2003. Umweltbundesamt Berlin.
Skjelkvåle, B. L., & Ulstein, M. (Eds.). (2002). Proceedings from the workshop on heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Hg) in surface waters—Monitoring and biological impact. March 18–20, 2002, Lillehammer, Norway. UN/ECE-CLRTAP-WGE-ICP-Waters. Norwegian institute for water research (NIVA), Oslo (Norway), ICP-Waters Report 67/2002.
Slootweg, J., Hettelingh, J.-P., Posch, M., Dutchak, S., & Ilyin, I. (Eds.). (2005). Critical loads of cadmium, lead and mercury in Europe. Bilthoven, The Netherlands, CCE-MSCE collaborative report, Netherlands environmental assessment agency. http://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/cms/publicaties/259101015.pdf. Accessed 27 Nov 2014.
Slootweg, J., Hettelingh, J.-P., Posch, M., Schütze, G., Spranger, T., De Vries, W., Reinds, G. J., van ’t Zelfde, M., Dutchak, S., & Ilyin, I. (2007). European critical loads of cadmium, lead and mercury and their exceedances. Water Air & Soil Pollution :Focus, 7, 371–377.
Slootweg, J., Hettelingh, J.-P., & Posch, M. (2010). Critical loads of heavy metals and their exceedances. In J. Slootweg, M. Posch, & J.-P. Hettelingh (Eds.), Progress in the modelling of critical thresholds and dynamic modelling, including impacts on vegetation in Europe CCE Status Report 2010, RIVM report 680359001, ISBN 978-90-6960-249-3.
TFHM. (2006). Best available scientific information on the effects of deposition of heavy metals from long-range atmospheric transport sufficiency and effectiveness review of the 1998 protocol on heavy metals. UNECE convention on long-range transboundary air pollution.
Tipping, E. (1994). WHAM—A chemical equilibrium model and computer code for waters, sediments, and soils incorporating a discrete site/electrostatic model of ion-binding by humic substances. Journal of Computers & Geoscience, 20, 973–1023.
Tipping, E. (1998). Humic ion-binding Model VI: An improved description of the interactions of protons and metal ions with humic substances. Aquatic Geochemistry, 4, 3–47.
Travnikov, O., & Ilyin, I. (2005). Regional model MSCE-HM of heavy metal transboundary air pollution in Europe. (EMEP/MSC-E Technical Report 6/2005).
UNECE, & EC. (1996). Forest Condition in Europe. Results of the 1995 Survey. Brussels, Geneva.
UNECE. (1998). Protocol on heavy metals done at Aarhus, Denmark, on 24 june 1998. http://www.unece.org/env/lrtap/hm_h1.html. Accessed 27 Nov 2014.
UN-FAO/WHO-JECFA. (2003). Summary and Conclusions. Joint FAO/WHO expert commitee on food additives, sixty-first meeting, food and agriculture organization & world health organization of the United Nations, JECFA/61/SC, Rome, 10–19 June 2003.
US-EPA. (2001). Water Quality Criterion for the Protection of Human Health: Methylmercury. (Report EPA-823-R-01-001). Washington, DC 20460: U.S. Environmental protection agency, office of science and technology, Office of water.
Van den Hout, K. D. (Ed.). (1994). The impact of atmospheric deposition of non-acidifying pollutants on the quality of European forests and the North sea, Main report of the ESQAD project “European Soil & sea Quality due to Atmospheric Deposition”. Den Haag: Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, DG for Environmental Protection, Air and Energy Dir./640.
Van den Hout, K. D., Bakker, D. J., Berdowski, J. J. M., van Jaarsveld, J. A., Reinds, G. J., Bril, J., Breeuwsma, A., Groenenberg, J. E., De Vries, W., van Pagee, J. A., Villars, M., & Sliggers, C. J. (1999). The impact of atmospheric deposition of non-acidifying substances on the quality of European forest soils and the North Sea. Water Air & Soil Pollution, 109, 357–396.
Visschedijk, A., Denier van der Gon, H., Kuenen, J., & van der Burgh, H. (2010). Heavy metal emissions and reduction costs. In J. Slootweg, M. Posch, & J.-P. Hettelingh (Eds.), Progress in the modeling of critical thresholds and dynamic modeling, including impacts on vegetation in Europe, CCE Status Report 2010 (pp. 69–82). ISBN 978-90-6960-249-3, RIVM report 680359001, Coordination Cenre for Effects at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, www.rivm.nl/cce.
WHO. (2004). Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality. Vol. 1: Recommendations. World Health Organisation, Geneva. http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/GDWQ2004web.pdf. Accessed 27 Nov 2014.
WHO. (2007). Health risks of heavy metals from long-range transboundary air pollution. Copenhagen: Joint WHO/Convention task force on the health aspects of air pollution, World health organisation, Regional office for Europe.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hettelingh, JP. et al. (2015). Critical Loads of Cadmium, Lead and Mercury and Their Exceedances in Europe. In: de Vries, W., Hettelingh, JP., Posch, M. (eds) Critical Loads and Dynamic Risk Assessments. Environmental Pollution, vol 25. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9508-1_21
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9508-1_21
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-017-9507-4
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-9508-1
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)