Critical loads of Cadmium, Lead and Mercury and their exceedances in Europe
bookPart
Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are known to be transported over relatively
long distances from their sources. Deposited metals may accumulate over
time in soils and catchments, and then follow varying pathways to endpoints in humans
and the environment. Cadmium and lead, that are emitted primarily as particulate
matter, and mercury in gaseous form, can be transported over long distances.
This is especially the case when emissions consist of either relatively small particles
or of gaseous compounds. The latter occurs especially for anthropogenically emitted
mercury, tetra-methyl lead and tetra-ethyl lead.
Under the effect-oriented programmes within the LRTAP Convention, the International
Cooperative Programmes on Integrated Monitoring and Forests have found
that atmospherically deposited Pb and Hg can accumulate in forested catchments
in northern-central Europe, and that depositions can exceed thresholds for effects
in soil organisms. The combination of Cd that is atmospherically deposited, used in
fertilizer and naturally occurring in soils may accumulate to exposures of concern
long distances from their sources. Deposited metals may accumulate over
time in soils and catchments, and then follow varying pathways to endpoints in humans
and the environment. Cadmium and lead, that are emitted primarily as particulate
matter, and mercury in gaseous form, can be transported over long distances.
This is especially the case when emissions consist of either relatively small particles
or of gaseous compounds. The latter occurs especially for anthropogenically emitted
mercury, tetra-methyl lead and tetra-ethyl lead.
Under the effect-oriented programmes within the LRTAP Convention, the International
Cooperative Programmes on Integrated Monitoring and Forests have found
that atmospherically deposited Pb and Hg can accumulate in forested catchments
in northern-central Europe, and that depositions can exceed thresholds for effects
in soil organisms. The combination of Cd that is atmospherically deposited, used in
fertilizer and naturally occurring in soils may accumulate to exposures of concern
TNO Identifier
526156
Publisher
Springer
Source title
Critical loads and dynamic risk assessment: Nitrogen, Acidity and Metals in Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems
Place of publication
Dordrecht
Pages
523-546
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