Evaluating the Management Practice of Anthropogenic Mercury Release in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2019
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Many changes like increment of the population, expansion of health and other services delivery
and utilization of bulk consumer products containing mercury and increasing of transportation
demand have increased the mercury release in Addis Ababa. A sector source based crosssectional study has been carried out to quantify the mercury release and evaluate its management
practices.
The quantity of mercury released from the source groups were quantified using the UNEP toolkit
for quantification of Mercury (Hg). Open and close-ended questionnaires, observation, and key
informant interview have been used to collect primary information and then evaluate the
management practice in the city Addis Ababa.
Seven (7) main source categories of anthropogenic mercury releases such as extraction and use
of fuels/energy source, production of other minerals, consumer products with intentional use of
mercury, other intentional products, waste incineration and burning, Waste
deposition/landfilling, wastewater treatment and cemetery was identified as mercury release in
the city.
From the identified source group it has been found out the release of mercury was quantified
using UNEP Excel program for quantification of mercury and a total of 5534.5 Kg mercury was
released and of this release 1284.2 Kg to the air, 1130 Kg to the water, 1826.2 Kg to the Land,
0.6 Kg to the Byproducts and impurities 1118.8 Kg to the general waste and 174.6 Kg to the
sector-specific treatment/ disposal media. The assessment showed that almost all organizations
are following week management system which was not supported by technology, awarenessraising and legal framework. The study concluded that significant amount of Mercury was
released to the environment and the current management practices do not comply with the
interest of the Minamata Convention that aimed protecting human and the environment from the
adverse effect of anthropogenic mercury source. Finally, the study suggests the development of
national legal management framework, an adaptation of best available technology with less
mercury footprint, increasing public and stakeholder’s awareness and participation and
capacitating the concerned government organization.
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Keywords
Minamata Convention, Bioaccumulation Mercury release, Persistent, quantification, release/emission