Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-861
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-861
03 Apr 2024
 | 03 Apr 2024

Modelling the Fate of Mercury Emissions from Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining

Ian Michael Hedgecock, Francesco De Simone, Francesco Carbone, and Nicola Pirrone

Abstract. A mercury (Hg) tracer model based on WRF-Chem has been developed to provide a rapid and relatively simple tool to evaluate the local and regional impact of Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining activities which use Hg amalgamation.Artisanal gold mining, its use of mercury amalgamation and its potential for human and environmental harm is mentioned specifically in the Foreword by the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres of the Minamata Convention on Mercury: Text and Annexes (2023 edition, url below). Much of this artisanal mining occurs in the Tropics, and often in densely forested regions and the role of vegetation in the global atmospheric mercury cycle has been shown to be significant in recent years. The model employs a simple lifetime approach to Hg0 oxidation based on KPP and an ad hoc deposition scheme which calculates the foliar uptake of Hg0(g) based on the Leaf Area Index, dry deposition of HgII(g) , and the wet deposition of HgII(g) by convective and non-convective precipitation. A number of demonstration simulations are presented using four example domains from South-East Asia and South America, and five from Africa. The results highlight the diversity of the local impacts of ASGM due to land category, geography and meteorology, but also point to the fact that just as there are always local impacts there are also repercussions for the global atmospheric mercury burden (https://minamataconvention.org/sites/default/files/documents/information_document/Minamata-Convention-booklet-Oct2023-EN.pdf).

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Ian Michael Hedgecock, Francesco De Simone, Francesco Carbone, and Nicola Pirrone

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-861', Anonymous Referee #1, 01 May 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Ian M. Hedgecock, 08 Jul 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-861', Anonymous Referee #2, 01 May 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Ian M. Hedgecock, 08 Jul 2024
  • CEC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-861', Astrid Kerkweg, 02 May 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on CEC1', Ian M. Hedgecock, 08 Jul 2024
Ian Michael Hedgecock, Francesco De Simone, Francesco Carbone, and Nicola Pirrone
Ian Michael Hedgecock, Francesco De Simone, Francesco Carbone, and Nicola Pirrone

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Short summary
Many artisanal gold mining operations around the world use mercury amalgamation to refine the gold. Much of this mercury is released to the atmosphere where it can be taken up by vegetation. In heavily forested locations, such as the Amazon Basin or South East Asia, much of this mercury will be taken up locally and will eventually find its way into the soil and local water courses, where it will have an impact on human and ecosystem health. A model has been developed to evaluate this impact.