Environmental Observation System

The Environmental Observation System Operational Unit has as its main objective the development and enhancement of the Observation System for mercury on a global scale.

This includes, in addition to fixed monitoring stations (on-site stations), also the coordination of an observation system that is developed through oceanographic and aerial campaigns (off-shore stations) in collaboration with major international partners.

Monitoring on a global scale and the application of models help strengthening the understanding of the mercury cycle in the various environmental sectors; it also supports the development of effective control policies and measures in order to reduce mercury impact on health and ecosystems.

GMOS Network

All this is part of the European project Global Mercury Observation System (GMOS), coordinated by the CNR – Institute on Atmospheric Pollution (CNR-IIA), which collects data through a system of fixed monitoring stations in the northern and southern hemisphere providing real-time, high-quality information on mercury concentrations and flows within each environmental compartment and between the various atmospheric, hydrosphere and terrestrial ecosystems.

CONTACTS

Area manager: 
Francesca Sprovieri

Headquarters: 
CNR-Istituto sull’Inquinamento Atmosferico (CNR-IIA)
Tel: +39.0984 493213 – 493214
Fax: +39.0984 493215
U.O.S. di Rende, c/o UNICAL
Via Savinio, snc 
87036 Rende (CS), Italy

Objectives

The Operational Unit also has among its objectives:

  • the development and standardization of methods for measuring mercury in the atmosphere and in rainfall at on-site stations and the flows from natural sources (i.e., volcanoes, forests, fires, oceans)
  • the training of site managers
  • capacity building activities, aimed above all at developing countries
  • strengthening relationships with experts and policy makers operating within the main regional observation programs (i.e., EMEP, NADP, AMNet, AMAP etc.).