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Understanding Mercury Emissions: Impacts, Regulations, and Water Quality in North Carolina

This comprehensive guide explores mercury emissions and their regulation in North Carolina, focusing on their impact on water and fish quality. It outlines the sources of mercury, including atmospheric deposition and wastewater discharges, which significantly contribute to fish contamination. The document delves into the state’s mercury concerns, fish consumption advisories, and the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) established under the Clean Water Act. It also discusses reduction strategies for both point and nonpoint sources and encourages public participation in the commenting process for new regulations.

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Understanding Mercury Emissions: Impacts, Regulations, and Water Quality in North Carolina

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  1. Mercury Emissions:Regulations and Impacts Mercury in NC Water & Fish: Science & Regulation Kathy Stecker, NC DENR Division of Water Quality Mercury Regulations, Emissions, & Deposition Modeling in NC Steve Schliesser, NC DENR Division of Air Quality Overview: Mercury Deposition Network in NC Jim Bowyer, PhD, NC DENR Division of Air Quality

  2. Kathy Stecker Division of Water Quality, NC DENR Mercury IN NC WATER & FISH: Science & regulation June 2012

  3. Content • The Mercury Problem • NC Impacts and Sources • Reducing Mercury in NC Water & Fish

  4. The Mercury Problem • Mercury Cycling • Natural element • Human activity increased mercury release

  5. The Mercury Problem- Mercury Forms • Air • Soil • Water: Methylation

  6. The Mercury Problem - bioaccumulation

  7. Mercury in Fish • National Concern • Northeast • Minnesota • New Jersey • Florida • Michigan • Mercury in NC fish • NC DHHS Statewide Fish Consumption Advisory • Clean Water Act 303(d) List • NC Statewide Mercury “Total Maximum Daily Load”

  8. Mercury in NC • NC DHHS Statewide Fish Consumption Advisory http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/fish/current.html

  9. Mercury Sources • Air Quality modeling • Total Hg air deposition within NC • Relative contributions in-state & out-of-state • Sources of mercury in NC fish(2002 estimate) • Wastewater discharges (~2%) • Atmospheric deposition (~98%)

  10. Federal Clean Water Act (1972) §303(d) • Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) • amount of pollutant waters can receive and still meet standard • TMDL = WLA + LA + MOS • WLA (waste load allocation): Allowable load from point sources (like wastewater) • LA (load allocation): Allowable load from nonpoint sources (like atmospheric deposition) • MOS: margin of safety

  11. Wasteload Allocation • Statewide aggregate load for wastewater • Per-facility maximum in permitting strategy • No reductions from NPDES stormwater

  12. Nonpoint Source Impacts • Atmospheric deposition accounts for ~98% of mercury in waters • Based on Air Quality Modeling • NC sources contribute ~16% • Nearby states contribute ~14% • Global pool contributes ~70% • US Mercury Air Emissions • 49% Electric generating facilities • 44% Other industrial sources • 5% Area sources • 2% Mobile sources

  13. Trend of Estimated US Mercury Emissions to the Atmosphere(Source: Husar and Husar, 2002; slide borrowed from state of FL)

  14. Documents • Draft NC Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) • Draft Wastewater Permitting Strategy • Reduction Options for Nonpoint Sources • http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ps/mtu/tmdl/tmdls/mercury • Or Google NC mercury TMDL

  15. Comments • Submit written comments on TMDL and wastewater permitting strategy by June 18, 2012 • Response to comments on TMDL will be included in package for EPA approval • Informal comments on nonpoint source reductions are welcomed

  16. Thank You • Submit your written comments to Jing.Lin@ncdenr.gov by June 18, 2012 • Questions? Kathy.Stecker@ncdenr.gov

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