State of the Environment Bulgaria 2003
How does the industry influence environment
What is being done to make the industry more environment-friendly
Emissions of harmful substances into the ambient air by industry for 2001 (ő 1000 t/y)
The total amount of yearly sulphur dioxide emissions by industry decreased considerably compared to last year, while the trend towards a gradual reduction of other pollutants was maintained. Ammonia and nitrogen oxides emissions represent a considerable part of the total yearly emissions of harmful substances. The portions of sulphur dioxide emissions and volatile organic compounds was relatively small – 7,6 % and 4,8 % respectively. The share of methane emitted into the ambient air remained the lowest with only 0,5 %. The most substantial reduction compared to the previous year observed was in sulphur and nitrogen oxides emissions.
Sulphur dioxide emissions from industry (burning processes) have decreased considerably from 12 % reaching down to 5 % of the total quantity emitted in the country during the previous year. This is explained through the introduction of a double catalysis system at the Non-ferrous Metals Integrated Works JSC in Plovdiv, as well as through the overall reduction of emissions from most production processes.
A slight decrease in ammonia emissions due to reduced nitric acid, ammonia and carbamide production as compared to the growth reported for the previous year was observed.
The total amount of emissions of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins/furans (some of the most toxic chlorine containing harmful substances) released into the ambient air by enterprises and activities with immobile pollution sources within the industrial sector for 2001 are shown below. Emissions from burning and non-burning processes within this sector are presented separately. Emissions from electric power and thermal energy production by thermo-electric power stations and thermal power stations belonging to this sector have been included in those from burning production processes.
Emissions of harmful substances into the ambient air by industry for 2001 for certain heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins/furans.
The trend towards reduction of lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mercury, and cadmium emissions and dioxins/furans emissions by the industrial sector in particular, kept a steady course as compared to the total yearly emissions for the previous year. An increase of the share of lead emissions by this sector was observed (77 % of the total yearly emissions). As a rule, the largest part of the total yearly emissions was that of heavy metals ranging from 89,7 % for cadmium to 45,6 % for mercury. The share of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emissions released remained relatively low (18,7 %). The share of this pollutant into the total yearly emissions by all industrial activities grew compared to 2000. Dioxins/furans emissions showed the most considerable decrease towards other pollutants as compared to the previous year.
Industrial burning processes are the main source of mercury and cadmium. Such processes are those taking place in furnaces in the course of production and heat processing of metals. The largest quantity of mercury (1,3 t) was emitted during the production of zinc in frying furnaces. 5,9 t of cadmium were emitted during the production of “volatile state” copper in melting furnaces, and 5 t were emitted during the production of zinc in frying furnaces.
Impact on water
In 2001 industrial enterprises generated a total of 274 475 thousand m3 of wastewater, which is lower than the total wastewater quantity discharged by industry in 2000, though the untreated water quantity (105 903 thousand m3) was of the same order. The share of untreated water was around 8,8 % and 53 % for extraction industry and processing industry respectively, which is lower as compared to 2000.
In 2001 the impact of wastewater from chemical, oil processing and metallurgic industries was once more the most significant with approximately 125 000 thousand m3 of wastewater generated. This quantity was over 18 000 thousand m3 less than in 2000, while water treated constituted around 50 % of the total wastewater quantity.
Industrial enterprises represent some of the major point sources of water pollution. In 2001 they generated around 311 146 thousand m3 of wastewater of which some 114 441 thousand m3 were discharged untreated directly into surface water bodies, the sea or aquifers, and 72 191 thousand m3 were discharged into the sewer system. Wastewater treated separately before being discharged was around 35 % of the total wastewater quantity generated by industrial sectors.
Although there was a reduction of the total wastewater quantity generated by industrial units, the shares of the separate industrial branches in 2001 were of the same order as in 2000 – 88 % for industry, the largest portion pertaining to processing industry, 2 % for agriculture and about 9-10 % for other activities. The quantity of wastewater generated annually from 1997 through 2001 is represented on the figure.
Last update on March 2003