The EMEP/MSC-E mercury modeling system

Abstract

The EMEP/MSC-E hemispheric chemical transport model (MSCE-HM-Hem) and its regional version (MSCE-HM) are applied for operational calculations of mercury transboundary pollution within the European region and in the Northern Hemisphere. This chapter contains examples of the models application for assessment of mercury atmospheric dispersion and deposition both on hemispheric and regional scales. Model simulations of mercury atmospheric dispersion in the Northern Hemisphere have been performed for the period 1990-2004. Long-term changes of mercury deposition during this period have been evaluated for different continents and regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Obtained modelling results have been compared with long-term monitoring data from various national and international networks. Besides, intercontinental transport of mercury as well as sensitivity of mercury deposition in the Northern Hemisphere to emission reduction in different continents have been estimated. © 2009 Springer-Verlag New York.