Specific objectives

To integrate in-situ and satellite observations aiming for better understanding of the global cycle of mercury (Hg) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) at continental and global scales;

To identify Hg hot-spots deposition areas as consequence of biomass burning, artisanal and small-scale gold mining, e-waste recycling through in-situ wet-deposition measurements and satellite observations;

To monitor newly listed POPs in core matrices that need to be implemented into existing monitoring programmes;

To develop new equipment/sensors for monitoring target pollutants in core media (including wet and dry deposition) in contaminated sites as well as in rural/background locations (i.e., high Arctic, Antarctica, off-shore sites, forests), where particular removal processes take place;

To test the operation of the sensors in different geographical settings, to increase geographical coverage;

To develop a strategy on a global scale for QA/QC for observations and enhance data comparability/reproducibility;

To develop new Standard Operating Procedures for new sensor technologies;

To harmonize metadata production, archiving and sharing;

To validate regional and global scale models based on in-situ and space observations assimilation;

To develop current data infrastructures on Hg and POPs (by including new POPs, core matrices, or programmes);

To create advanced web services for data discovery and exploitation, and make accessible information on environmental and human exposure to allow for joint interpretation and assessment of human risks;

To push toward a full interoperability (e.g. discoverability, accessibility, and re-usability) with GEOSS and Copernicus infrastructures.

To support policy makers and stakeholders in the implementation of major international conventions (e.g. Minamata Convention, Stockholm Convention) and programmes (UNECE-LRTAP TF HTAP) and EU Research Infrastructures.