Potential Effects of Energy Development on Trace Element Transport in Major Rivers

摘要

In the interval 1975 to 2000, energy-sector activities in the Ohio and Missouri River basins will contribute to those streams an amount of trace elements equivalent to only a few percent or less of the current river load of trace elements, even under worst-case conditions, if compliance with existing and proposed limits on aqueous and atmospheric emissions is assumed. Power plants, coal mines and preparation plants, and industrial fuel use are considered as sources of trace element emissions. Atmospheric deposition of trace elements released in coal combustion makes a negligible contribution to the energy-sector load, except possibly for mercury and zinc. The relative influence of the energy-sector contribution varies regionally; its influence in the Ohio basin is generally more important than in the Missouri basin, although it is small in both cases. (ERA citation 08:032473)