Working with public Chinese research institutes, Dr Larssen and his colleagues have mapped the actual concentrations of mercury in the environment. They have given uncomplicated training to scientists and environmental management authorities alike on how to collect, interpret, analyse and communicate data.

"Through learning by doing, the authorities have understood that it is possible to accomplish something. In fact, the Chinese have an enormous potential to reduce discharges by implementing some simple yet highly effective countermeasures," asserts Professor Larssen. 

"For instance, they have many slag piles from current or previous mercury production. These seep, and it is tremendously costly to move the piles and encapsulate them to remove the contamination completely. But we have shown them how they can mitigate the problem using straightforward, affordable measures."

"Firstly, they can reduce the seeping from the slag piles to some extent. They can also construct dams downstream, before the mercury enters a river. And they can get local farmers to avoid the common practice of growing rice immediately downstream from the slag piles. Much of the polluted water currently runs straight into the rice fields. If instead the farmers were to receive a little support to grow corn there, for instance, this would reduce exposure a great deal. Corn absorbs very little mercury," explains the professor, "whereas rice growing in water where mercury methylation is occurring takes up a lot of it."

Research influences policy

After a long process of building trust and establishing contacts, the professor and his Chinese research colleagues are now working to raise knowledge and awareness among the Chinese authorities about mercury and other pollutants.

"Through the course of the four-year project period, the Chinese authorities have come to understand the need to act. Now they are cooperating within UNEP to develop a global cooperation agreement on mercury waste. This is excellent progress, and China now has one of the largest and most active delegations in the negotiations for the upcoming Mercury Convention," says Professor Larssen. The goal is to have drafted a wording by 2013.

"This process is incredibly important for China and the rest of the world. Over the next three years, the country will be collecting large amounts of data to assess the situation and the problems and opportunities this superpower has to reduce its discharges." 

SOURCE alphagalileo