Question

Enter your answer in the provided box. Mercury (Hg) is present in trace amounts in coal, ranging from 50 to 200 ppb. A typical power plant burns 2.0 million tons of coal per year. Calculate tons of mercury in the coal based on the lower (50 ppb) and higher (200 ppb) concentrations. Mercury at 50 ppb = tons Hg Mercury ay 200 ppb = tons Hg

Answer 1

Mercury at 50 ppb = 0.10 tons Hg

Mercury at 200 ppb = 0.40 tons Hg

Explanation

Mass of coal = 2.0 x 10⁶ tons

concentration of mercury = 50 ppb = 50 x 10^-9

mass of mercury = (mass of coal) * (concentration of mercury)

mass of mercury = (2.0 x 10⁶ tons) * (50 x 10^-9)

mass of mercury = 0.10 tons

concentration of mercury = 200 ppb = 200 x 10^-9

mass of mercury = (mass of coal) * (concentration of mercury)

mass of mercury = (2.0 x 10⁶ tons) * (200 x 10^-9)

mass of mercury = 0.40 tons