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Networking for improved integration of science, technology and policy – environment dr. Milena Horvat Head, Department of Environmental Sciences “Jožef Stefan” Institute Ljubljana, Slovenia. Content. Case study: mercury pollution EU Hg strategy How to benefit from networking?

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  1. Networking for improved integration of science, technology and policy – environmentdr. Milena HorvatHead, Department of Environmental Sciences “Jožef Stefan” InstituteLjubljana, Slovenia

  2. Content • Case study: mercury pollution • EU Hg strategy • How to benefit from networking? • What are the choices? • National vs. international scale • Instruments of the EU FP • ESF and COST • Future: EU Tecnology platforms

  3. Why mercury? (1) • Hazardous properties of global relevance • Impact at local, regional and global scale • High toxicity, dependant on the chemical form, the pathway of exposure, the amount and the vulnerability of persons exposed • Bioaccumulation and biomagnification • Once mobilized Hg persists in the environment where it circulates among air, water, sediments and biota • Human populations and ecosystems at risk • General population primarily exposed to organic Hg through diet and inorganic Hg through amalgams • Women (pregnant, child bearing age, lactating), children, occupationally exposed, populations dependant on fish protein • Vulnerable ecosystems and wildlife (i.e. predators in aquatic and terrestrial environments, arctic ecosystems), soil communities.

  4. Why mercury? (2) • Sources • Significant increase of Hg globally due to anthropogenic activities • Most significant releases to the atmosphere, in some areas also to waters and land • Industrial and mining sites • Land, water and resource management activities can make Hg more bioavailable • Mercury waste • Magnitude of treat • Well documented significant adverse effects • Effects linked to local vs. long-range transport

  5. Why Mediterranean?

  6. LOCATIONS OF ACTIVE AND INACTIVE MERCURY MINES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

  7. Case study area:interaction between the catchment and coastal environments - 500 years of mining (1490-1990) - 127.000 tons of Hg extracted • - >37.000 tons lost into the environment - >12.000 tons entered the river system - About 2500 kg/y enters the river system - About 1500 kg/y transported to the Gulf of Trieste Catchment area: 3300 km2Soča at the mouth: 170 m3/s (extreme 3000– 4000 m3/s)Precipitation: 1500 mm/y 0.3 Mio inhabitants Institute Jožef Stefan

  8. Mercury cycle in the wider Idrijaregion and the Gulf of Trieste

  9. Impact of mercury mining in the area

  10. A conceptual Drivers-Pressure-State-Impact-Response model (DPSIR) DRIVERS mining, health interest, safe food POLICY RESPONSE Reduction of emissions, reduce erosion, control MeHg production Energy efficiency, taxes,saving programmes, Waste management, agriculture, fisheries, etc. SCENARIOS MANAGEMENT OPTIONS (BAU, POT, DG) PRESSURES Emissions of Hg to the atmosphere, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems STATE Hg concentrations in air, water, biota elevated MeHg in Gulf of Trieste and in the reservoirs IMPACTS Effects on ecosystem and man effects on human health, change in species abundence and distribution Gains & losses Institute Jožef Stefan

  11. Requirements: • Interdisciplinary and intersectorial approaches • National and international level

  12. Networking approaches (interdisciplinary and intersectorial) Networking at the national level • Research (MVŠZT, MOP) • Technology (EU structural funds) International level • PHARE • EU FP (5.OP: EMECAP, EUROCAT, 6.FP: STREP-MERCYMS, SSA – BIOMERCURY, IP- PHIME) • COST/ESF (European) • UNEP (global)

  13. European Science Fundation (ESF) • Integration of the European research community • Development of a European research agenda in areas of strategic importance • Coordinated European approaches to global programmes • Management of programmes on behalf of its MOs ESF Member Organisations78 in 30 countries

  14. European COoperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research COST Characteristics • Networking & Co-ordination • Pan-European • “Non-competitive” (pre-normative; tackles environmental and cross-border problems; public utility) • Financing of Researchers – national responsibility • Bottom-up / Flexibility • “A la carte” national participation • Links to other activities/ organisations at a European level

  15. European Catchments & Coastal Zones http://www.iia-cnr.unical.it/EUROCAT/project.htm

  16. The work plan with its major links between the Work Packages and with the Policy Advisory Board.

  17. ESOTECH, Velenje Slovenian Ecology Cluster Limnos, Ljubljana IEI, Maribor Erico, Velenje Domžale-Kamnik Wastewater Treatment Plant Institute for Physical Biology Centre for Promotion of Knowledge, Ljubljana RACI, Ljubljana IMS TECH, Domžale Jožef Stefan Institute University of Ljubljana University of Maribor National Institute of Chemistry National Institute of Biology National Institute of Forestry The Polytechnic in Nova Gorica Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School CE Enivornmental Technologies – a network of research, engineering and production capacities

  18. "Technology Platforms" are being set up, which bring together companies, research institutions, the financial world and the regulatory authorities at the European level to define a common research agenda which should mobilise a critical mass of - national and European - public and private resources." • COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT. 10.6.2005 SEC(2005) 800.Report on European Technology Platforms and Joint Technology Initiatives: Fostering Public-Private R&D Partnerships to Boost Europe's Industrial Competitiveness.

  19. A conceptual Drivers-Pressure-State-Impact-Response model (DPSIR) DRIVERS Increasing demand of energy, transport, agriculture and fisheries, waste. Fossil fuels consumption, Manufacturing industry Waste production, Mining, Agriculture POLICY RESPONSE Reduction of emissions, reduce erosion, control MeHg production Energy efficiency, taxes,saving programmes, Waste management, agriculture, fisheries, etc. SCENARIOS MANAGEMENT OPTIONS (BAU, POT, DG) PRESSURES Emissions of Hg to the atmosphere, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems STATE Hg concentrations in air, water, biota elevated MeHg in Gulf of Trieste and in the reservoirs IMPACTS Effects on ecosystem and man effects on human health, change in species abundence and distribution Gains & losses Institute Jožef Stefan

  20. EU Mercury Strategy – Hg contaminated/polluted sites (I) • Reducing emissions: • Polluted sites as important source category • Inventory of Hg polluted sites • Comparability of data on emissions (standardized protocols) • Reducing supply: • Hg mining: historical, economic and societal significance and reponsability for environmental degradation • Protecting against exposure: • mixed exposure to inorganic and organic Hg • Improved understanding: • Integrated tools for the remediation of Hg polluted sites (including modeling) • Integrated measurement tools (chemical, physical and biological) – early warning systems Institute Jožef Stefan

  21. EU Mercury Strategy – Hg contaminated/polluted sites (II) • Societal and economic implications of emission reduction measures • Benefits: environmental and health & economic and societal • Selection of alternatives: Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) • Reduction of global pool of Hg in longer time perspective • Increase of quality of life (social&security, employment, education, etc..) • Economy (generator of further local/regional developoment, transition from production to service, transition to higher education jobs, etc..) Institute Jožef Stefan

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