xvi UK Focus


Researchers produce fi rst ever global map of mercury bioaccumulation TALKING POINT


In 2017, the Minamata Convention on Mercury that had been signed some years earlier came into force, having been ratifi ed by 148 states. With its stated ‘objective’ being ‘to protect the [sic] human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds’, new methods of monitoring and reporting were needed that could be up to the mammoth task of tackling global mercury pollution – indeed, in Article 21, the Convention explicitly calls for decisions to be made about ‘the timing and format of the reporting to be followed by the Parties’.1


Minamata Convention fi nally has its fi rst fully global map of mercury contamination in fi sh and wildlife.2


Using over 550,000 data points from the Global Biotic Mercury Synthesis (GBMS) database, the researchers provide a comprehensive overview of Hg concentrations in various species, including fi sh, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals. They highlight signifi cant regional data gaps and emphasize the importance of standardized, evidence-based approaches for monitoring Hg levels to assess the progress of global eff orts in reducing Hg pollution’s impact on human health and the environment.


The researchers propose a framework for a global Hg biomonitoring network with a three-step approach to integrate existing eff orts and fi ll regional data gaps, especially in under-monitored areas like Africa, Australia, the Indo- Pacifi c, and certain oceanic regions. Firstly, continental and oceanic scale monitoring would integrate existing biomonitoring eff orts across continents and ocean basins to ensure a broad geographic coverage of mercury data, with the aim to compile and standardize data from diff erent


Now, almost 7 years after its ratifi cation, the


regions to create a comprehensive global overview. Secondly, regional monitoring would focus on identifying and fi lling data gaps in underrepresented regions, such as Africa, Australia, the Indo-Pacifi c, and certain oceanic regions, to ensure that all signifi cant areas are covered, particularly those with high ecological sensitivity or signifi cant mercury sources. Finally, according to the researchers, there’s local monitoring which will oversee specifi c ecologically-sensitive sites or hotspots identifi ed through regional and continental data, closely tracking mercury levels in these areas to understand local variations and impacts, ensuring that mitigation measures are eff ective at the ground level. By understanding and quantifying ecosystem sensitivity to Hg, the authors aim to establish effi cient biomonitoring programs that can provide reliable measures of Hg exposure and its eff ects on biota.


In fact, another recent study demonstrates that researchers are already beginning to further contribute to this global picture. A fascinating example of regional monitoring, a team of researchers monitored the mercury levels in bottlenose dolphins across the Southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, using them as ‘sentinel species’ indicative of the wider presence of mercury in the region because they are end-of- chain predators.3


Mercury concentrations were measured


in dolphin skin samples from various locations, revealing signifi cant spatial variation. Dolphins in St. Joseph Bay, the Florida Everglades, and Choctawhatchee Bay exhibited the highest mercury levels, while those in Charleston and Skidaway River Estuary showed the lowest, highlighting the varying impact of local biogeochemical processes and anthropogenic activities on mercury accumulation. Notably, the elevated mercury levels in specifi c areas like St. Joseph


Bay are attributed to historical industrial activities, while natural processes in mangrove forests contribute to high levels in the Florida Coastal Everglades.


So, a big step forward for mercury monitoring, and the movement to limit harmful mercury pollution. With this framework in place, more comprehensive and accurate reporting for signatories to the Minamata Convention becomes possible – and with the UK falling behind its peers when it comes to mercury regulations, this might just provide the wake-up call needed.


1 Minamata Convention on Mercury: Text and Annexes – 2023 Edition. United Nations Environment Programme. 2023.


2 Global mercury concentrations in biota: their use as a basis for a global biomonitoring framework. Evers et al. Ecotoxicology. 2024.


3 Spatial Variation in Mercury Accumulation in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops spp.) in Southeastern U.S.A. Griffi n et al. Toxics. 2024.


Thermal power and combustion effi ciency control – application note discusses a total gas analysis solution


Servomex provides game-changing solutions for plant emissions control and monitoring, delivering cost, process, safety, and emissions benefi ts across all parts of the process.


In order to operate a combustion process at peak effi ciency, it requires excess air to ensure complete combustion of the fuel. This presents a challenge, as too much or too little air will reduce the combustion effi ciency and result in higher emissions, and a greater environmental impact.


Continuous monitoring of the amount of oxygen and combustibles in the fl ue gas is required to allow for prompt adjustments at the boiler control system to maintain peak effi ciency.


Servomex’s combustion gas analysers and emissions gas monitoring equipment meet this challenge directly, saving up to 4% of fuel costs, lowering emissions, maintaining the highest standards of safety and a reduction in the environmental impact.


The SERVOTOUGH FluegasExact 2700 fl ue gas analyser monitors both oxygen and combustibles (COe) in fl ue gases. Oxygen is measured using zirconium oxide sensor technology. A thick fi lm catalytic sensor optimised for carbon monoxide is used to detect parts per million (ppm) levels of combustibles and monitor COe breakthrough.


In addition, to enable preventative maintenance, an optional fl ow sensor is available that monitors the fl ow up the analyser’s probe and through the sensors. These sensors are housed in a heated sensor head mounted on the process wall to which a sample fl ue gas is aspirated via a sample probe.


Keith Warren, Servomex’s Head of IP&E Applications and Development, said: “Precise monitoring of plant equipment linked to a real-time process control strategy is crucial. Furnace combustion effi ciency optimisation tied to downstream gaseous emission levels leads not only to potential lower fuel costs but reduced CO, NOx


, CO2 , SO2 and particulate emissions, particularly during load changes and start-up


and shutdown when the system temperatures are not ideal. We are the expert global partner, offering a total gas analysis solution, which includes the FluegasExact 2700 for optimising combustion.”


Servomex has published an application note highlighting the importance of gas analysis in thermal power and combustion processes, and how its solutions can help lower fuel costs and emissions and maintain the highest standards of safety.


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Reliable and precise VOC monitoring technology for oil and gas facilities provides trouble-free data in extreme conditions for 2 years and counting


A drilling pad site, near to Denver, Colorado, USA, needed to deploy dependable and precise VOC monitoring systems to comply with the stringent local and international environmental regulations as well as the safeguarding the local community itself. Industrial sites of this nature are subject to 8-Hour Ozone Control Area, which involves reaching a three-year average of the annual fourth highest daily maximum eight-hour ozone concentration measured at each monitoring site is less than 71 parts per billion (ppb). For facilities near Denver, there is a 1-Hour Ozone regulation whereby 0.12 parts per million (ppm), or less, over a one hour period is a legal requirement.


According to US Energy Information Administration: Colorado accounts for 4% of US oil and gas production. This sector emits higher levels of VOC emissions than any other industry and contribute signifi cantly to heightened levels of ground level ozone/ photochemical smog. Precise and robust air monitoring technology is the key to avoiding dangerous and damaging incidents, whilst operating within environmental regulatory criteria. This is especially the case in some of the remote Colorado regions where the VOC monitors need to be deployed.


In January 2022, South Coast Science were given the task of providing a precise, dependable and cost-effective monitoring solution that could operate in extreme conditions such as heavy snow and the other challenges set by Colorado’s environment. There are 3 sites that need close monitoring, so they opted for a state-of-the art Praxis/OP Cube, in tandem with a meteorological station at one – and Praxis/OP Cubes at the other two. The instruments were powered by use of solar panels, enabling these analysers to operate reliably with minimal need of human intervention.


The Praxis/OPCube overcomes the challenges of capturing accurate data in variable climate conditions and the need for fi ne-grained air quality monitoring networks. This has provided the drill pad operators with reliable and precise VOC monitoring data for 2 years and counting.


In parallel with the cutting-edge VOC monitoring instrumentation, data from the South Coast Science API is fed into a dashboard, integrating meteorological data with the air quality monitoring data to provide a precise and reliable overview of emission levels. The system features an email-based notifi cation system to alert users when there are high levels of VOCs or in rare instances when the system goes offl ine.


For More Info, email: email:


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