MercuryDb - a database system supporting management and limitation of mercury content in fossil fuels

Abstract

Mercury is commonly known as a harmful element for environment and human beings. Due to the high mobility and lack of degradation in environment, reduction of mercury emission became one of the main fields of limitation in its adverse impact on environment and health. The database systems, addressed in gathering, transforming and disseminating information about mercury sources, ways of transportation in environment and technologies used to limit its influence, can be a useful management supporting tool. It can help scientists, stakeholders and decision makers in straggle to restrict mercury influence on people’s lives and environment. In the article a concept and design of database system dedicated to support management of mercury content in fossil fuels and energy sector wastes was presented. The solutions chosen and being implemented to provide users with ability to store measurements of mercury and accompanying species as well as sample material characteristic were described. The structure of object data model and its mapping into relational database structure is given. Design of software the developed is described and detailed solutions improving flexibility in data management and exploration are depicted. The article summarizes the use of database system as a support in toxic substances content management.