RESEARCH MODEL ALGORITHM OF MERCURY POLLUTION IN URBAN AREAS AS A DECISION-MAKING TOOL: CASE STUDY THE CITY OF YEREVAN (ARMENIA).

Mercury is the only element to have its own environmental convention, i.e., the Minamata Convention on Mercury, thus Hg has received considerable attention highlighting the importance of the Hg global pollution issue, that are more acute especially in cities. Here, we report the development of a comprehensive Research Model Algorithm (RMA) as a tool to present science-based form for decision makers using easy-to-understand visualized results and recommendations. As a case study was chosen the city of Yerevan. In the frame of RMA concept, according to the results of researches already carried out, environmental risks were identified in urban soils and dust, but a non-carcinogenic risk for urban population has not been detected. Results of potential pollution sources inventory identify insignificant geogenic and predominant anthropogenic Hg pollution sources. Developed recommendations state identification of Hg potential sources, targeted study of landfills, improvement of Hg monitoring system, implementation of targeted surveys of Yerevan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]