1. UNEP Global Partnership for Mercury Air Transport and Fate Research: U
UNEP Global Partnership for Mercury Air Transport and Fate Research: U.S. Contributions
Stanley Durkee
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
October 10, 2007

2. U.S. Contributions USEPA U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of Energy
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

3. U.S. Contributions to This Partnership – Data from Mauna Loa
USEPA will continue taking speciated measurements of atmospheric mercury (together with particulate matter and other criteria pollutants) at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s high altitude station at Mauna Loa, Hawaii
To better understand transformation and fate of globally cycling mercury
Provide support to accumulate a long-term record of various mercury species
Data obtained to be shared, at intervals deemed appropriate; notice of availability to be posted on the UNEP web site
1.Therefore, EPA’s major contribution for now will involve continuing taking speciated measurements at Mauna Loa, Hawaii for two more years. .
2. The specific objectives are to provide support to accumulate a long-term record of ambient mercury of various species to
Support atmospheric mercury chemistry research
Investigate reaction mechanisms for the oxidation of elemental mercury to RGM in the marine free troposphere
Evaluate formation mechanisms of particulate mercury
Establish a global baseline mercury measurement station
3. EPA has already taken measurements over a 5-year period at Mauna Loa and our contribution extends the data collection to two more years.

4. Mauna Loa Observatory
Mauna Loa is run by NOAA and marked its 51st anniversary. It was originally dedicated (1956) as a site to measure solar radiation and trace gases that could change earth’s climate. It is best known for its record of the continuous rise of carbon dioxide in earth’s atmosphere, measurements originated by the late Dr Charles Keeling. MLO measures over 50 chemical species in the atmosphere.

5. Examples of Other U.S. Contributions
USGS will share its World Quality Inventory Database (2800 samples, 80 countries). Results for 7500 U.S. coal samples available.
NOAA will share data from three long-term monitoring stations within the U.S.; provide meteorological data through the READY web based information system; and make available various models for computing atmospheric trajectories and dispersion.

6. Examples of Other U.S. Contributions – Continued
USDOE will share its air sampling and air monitoring methodologies.
USDOE’s National Environmental Technology Laboratory (NETL) will maintain its ongoing partnership with the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Zhejiang University, which includes developing emission factors for power plants.
Communication links to be maintained with Italian Suzhou project

7. Examples of U.S. Contributions to This Partnership – Continued
Electric Power Research Institute
Will expand its high altitude monitoring program to better understand transboundary transport, using measurements taken at Mount Bachelor, Oregon, and from aircraft studies.
Will continue global monitoring studies and MDN support.

8. U.S. Contributions to This Partnership – Continued
USEPA will participate in additional monitoring, source receptor modeling and training activities as circumstances and resources permit
USEPA will participate in various meetings among Global Partnership partners that would be facilitated by Italy (the lead country) and contribute to various reports under the Partnership
At Italy’s request, USEPA will arrange teleconferences among Global Partners

9. USEPA Contacts
Stan Durkee, USEPA Office of Research and Development, (for information on USEPA participation in this Partnership)
Marilyn Engle, USEPA Office of International Affairs, (for information on USEPA/OIA participation)
Marianne Bailey, USEPA Office of International Affairs, (for information on USEPA participation in UNEP Partnerships)