The aim of this work was to identify concentration levels of different chemical forms of mercury (TGM, TPM) in the ambient air in selected areas of the Silesian Region, characterized by low and high mercury emission. Based on the obtained data TGM and TPM concentration levels were determined. The project also focused on determination of dry and wet deposition of mercury compounds. Data concerning TGM and TPM flux rates in the ambient air and data on mercury deposition were used to determine a deposition coefficient. The coefficient was calculated as a share of mercury deposition on the land surface (dry and wet) to the amount of this contaminant transported with loads of air in the form of TGM and TPM in a given measurement station. At both monitoring stations the deposition coefficient did not exceed 0.2 %. The idea of calculating the deposition coefficient based on the analysis of TGM and TPM flux rate is a new solution. The proposed deposition coefficient allows to quantify information on a selected contaminant concentration and its potential impact resulting from deposition. Further studies on the deposition coefficient may contribute to the development of methods for estimating the impact of contaminants contained in the ambient air on other environmental components based on the analyses of the contaminant flux rate.

Size distribution of particulate matter (PM) emitted from coal combustion in residential furnaces as well as emission of Hg, Zn, Pb and Cu were investigated. The metals emission was characterised by partition factors K. The factor expresses the distribution of metal streams between the feed coal and its combustion products emitted to the atmosphere. The values of factors K for Zn, Pb and Cu were 0.59, 0.33 and 0.34 respectively; the relevant variance coefficients were 37, 46 and 44%. Much better variance coefficient of factor K (17%) appeared in the case of mercury. It was found that 52% of Hg in feed coal was emitted to the air in gaseous form. Particulate matter emission from 7 coal combustion sources was investigated and fine particles were found as the main fraction. About 76% of PM were emitted as the size fractions up to 12 μm. The share of size fractions between 12-29 μm was 9%. It means that the impact of PM emission from residential furnaces is not of local scale but the particles containing heavy metals can be transported on long distances in the atmosphere.