EU_FIN_GMOS-Train_NP GMOS-Train (DTA.AD001.345)

Thematic area

Earth system science and environmental technologies

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute of Atmospheric pollution Research (IIA)

Project manager

NICOLA PIRRONE
Phone number: 0984 493239
Email: nicola.pirrone@iia.cnr.it

Abstract

With the signing of the UNEP Minamata Convention in 2013, governments have globally accepted that Hg is
global relevance and toxic; scientific needs will therefore shift towards best implementation practices of the
Convention. With most Hg emissions emanating from the energy-industrial sector this means that governments have
to balance economic and environmental interests. How does one asses that balance? Biogeochemical Hg cycling
is complex: superimposed on the strongly perturbed inorganic Hg cycle is the natural process of biomethylation
that generates the bioaccumulating monomethyl-Hg form that we are all exposed to when we consume fish. Today,
comprehensive multimedia models of the biogeochemical Hg cycle are being developed and capture this complexity
to try and evaluate the effectiveness of environmental policy scenarios. For the models to work however, they must
include realistic descriptions of fundamental Hg transformations and fluxes across Earth's surface environments.
Despite decades of Hg science, we still lack answers to some of the most basic questions on those fundamental Hg
transformations and fluxes

Goals

The objectives of the GMOS-TRAIN network are (1) to provide urgently needed training
in mercury science within the context of the UNEP Minamata convention, and (2) to bridge key knowledge gaps on
biogeochemical mercury cycling that currently hamper the optimization of national environmental policy regarding
mercury emissions. The process of training a pool of 15 Early Stage Researchers represents an excellent capacity
building needed for the implementation of the Minamata Convention. Being trained in highly relevant research topic
will enhance researchers career prospective and employability. Moreover, complimentary training in dissemination
using Open science principles, communication, exploitation and outreach will enforce the transfer of science results to
effective policy making.

Start date of activity

01/01/2020

Keywords

Training Network, Mercury, Minamata

Last update: 08/06/2025