The present paper estimates the annual emissions of eight (heavy) metals an
d six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from mine stone applications
in hydraulic engineering structures in Dutch river basins over the periods
1980 - 2010. Two leaching models (a diffusion and a percolation model) and
three application scenarios (i.e. the stop, current perception and increase
scenario) have been used. It is concluded that under the current scenarios
, the contribution of mine stone to pollution of Dutch river systems is rat
her low in comparison with emissions from industrial, communal and diffuse
sources. However, continued and widespread large-scale applications of mine
stone will lead to increased leaching of pollutants to surface waters, and
may require that further cuts be made from other sources in order to meet
regional, national and international emission reduction targets.