Mapping Errors of Mercury Source Emissions with Geostatistical Tools

Nowadays model complexity in terms of input data suggests the necessity of a complete and well structured database (DB). Within the construction process of a DB the check of data validity follows the collection of datasets. The above is more interesting when data gathered from different sources are considered. Also the integration of socio-economic evaluation stresses the importance of data integration for improving holistic analysis. The effort aimed to integrate and manage different data within a common database comply the requirements of the European Commission priorities to encourage the development of integrated and multi-compartment projects. Among these MERCYMS concerns the cycling of mercury in the Mediterranean environment. For the project purpose mercury emissions at point and non-point level were collected for Europe and Mediterranean countries. This study illustrates the work done on 1995 and 2000 DB to detect errors in source emissions. After a preliminary check on displacement of emission sources, we use a probabilistic approach under the geostatistical analysis to obtain spatial distribution of error. Results show an elevated degree of uncertainties in few areas like Portugal and the East Europe. Finally a comparison of differences between the two DBs was assessed.