| EMMISSION OF HEAVY METALS – MERCURY (Hg) |  |
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In 1990, the overall national emissions of Hg amounted to 0.62 t, followed by constant reduction in emissions to reach 0.22 t or reduction by 65% in 2016 compared to 1990. The most significant reductions in Hg emissions occurred in NFR category 2 – Industrial processes (production of metals), due to the termination of the operation of the lead and zinc smeltery in Veles in 2003. .
The Diagram below shows annual trend in mercury (Hg) emissions for the period 1990to2016.
Diagram 1.Trend in emissions of mercury (Hg)
Under the CARDS Programme, Inventory of air emissions of the main pollutants in the country was established in 2005 in accordance with the EMEP methodology by individual sectors, i.e. activities, and in 2014 Inventory including all pollutants was prepared.
Sectors based on the above mentioned methodology and SNAP – selective nomenclature of air pollution are presented in the table below:
| Sector |
| Energy Production and distribution |
| Commercial, instiucional and households |
| Industry (combustion) |
| Industry (production) |
| Fugitive emissions |
| Use of solvents and products |
| Road transport |
| Non-Road transport |
| Waste |
| Agriculture |
| Other |
The most important source of Hg emissions in 2016 was the sector Energy production and distributionwith a share of 44,8% in the overall mercury emissions. Second sector with a share of 20,5% is the sector Waste followed by sectors Industry (combustion) and Industry (production) with a share of 15,6% and 9,8% in the overall mercury emissions, respectively.
Diagram 2. Emissions ofmercury (Hg) bysectors r in 2016
Which different sectors and processes contribute to emissions of mercury (Hg)?
The main sources of Hg emissions in the period 1990-2016 were: the NFR category 2 – Industrial processes (till 2004) with share of 64% in 1990, and since 2005 there is a significant decrease in mercury emissions from this source and in 2016 participates only with 6% in total emissions of Hg and NFR category 1A1 Energyindustries with share of 28% in 1990,whereas although the quantitative values of Hg emissions from this category are reduced in 2016, this category accounts with the highest share of 45%. . Total emissions of mercury in 2016 were reduced by 65% compared to 1990, while compared to 2015 they were reduced by 15%.The most significant reductions were observed in 2 – Industrial processes (production of metals), as lead and zinc smeltery in Veles terminated the operation in 2003. Emissions from this NFR category in 2016 were reduced by 97% compared to 1990, while compared to 2015 were reduced by 72% primarily due to the change in the methodology for calculating the emissions from the production of metals (iron and steel production). For the NFR category 1A1 mercury emissions in 2016 are decreased by 44% compared to 1990, while compared to 2015 the reduction is 17%.
Diagram 3. Emissions of mercury (Hg) by NFR categories per year
Data coverage: excel_1, excel_2
Sources of data: The data used refers to overall national emissions and emissions categorized by NFR delivered by EEA member and collaborating states to EEA and Secretariat of the United Nations. Data is accessible per country on the following web address:http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/mk/un/clrtap/inventories/envwovm7g/.