21 research outputs found
GMOS-FR (Global Mercury Observation System – FRance) Research Data Management Plan for Atmospheric Mercury datasets
No full textThe GMOS-FR Research Data Management Plan (DMP) is related to Atmospheric Mercury Data Repository in France and describes how atmospheric mercury data issued from derived 2011-2015 GMOS FP7 spin-off programs and projects (GMOStral-1028 IPEV program, Pic du Midi, Chacaltaya and La Reunion atmospheric mercury short time projects) are handled. The goal is to i) document the key elements of the GMOS related atmospheric mercury (TGM/GEM/GOM/PBM/RM compounds) data management life cycle, ii) describe how the data are collected, processed and generated in the course of the dedicated related programs and projects, iii) detail the technical solutions to manage, archive, curate and access the data, and iv) outline the strategy and development needed for making related atmospheric mercury (TGM/GEM/GOM//PBM/RM) data FAIR.
Atmospheric mercury data in GMOS-FR are derived from measurements made in programs and projects embedded in GOS4M (Global Observation System for Mercury) network, a GEO (Group on Earth Observations) flagship aimed to support the Minamata Convention on mercury secretariat, the UN Environment mercury fate and transport partnership and all Nations in the follow up of the Conferences of Parties (COP) related to the Effectiveness Evaluation and Global Monitoring framework. GOS4M is federating existing regional and monitoring network and work closely with Nations in providing assistance and promote capacity building for filling existing geographical gaps in the global monitoring. GOS4M is consequently built on existing networks and observing infrastructures and provides a link to the Global Mercury Observation System (GMOS – www.gmos.eu) from which GMOStral-1028 IPEV program, the major research program providing data in GMOS-FR, was initially created.
GMOS-FR DMP is linked to the GMOS-FR AERIS web data portal (https://gmos.aeris-data.fr/), led by PI Olivier Magand and Aurelien Dommergue, and supported by Damien Boulanger via AERIS, a french atmospheric Data and Service center (https://en.aeris-data.fr/). As both PIs practice open science and scholarship, the present DMP puts an emphasis on data sharing and reuse. All data and milestone working documents will be made available freely in online repositories throughout the research project and all publications will be published open access. The DMP is structured and based on a template created for the DMP OPIDor and is a living document that is expected to be revised regularly as the project evolves. The goal is to make the DMP accessible for all stakeholders (repository operators, funders, researchers, publishers, infrastructure providers etc.)
Aerobiology over Antarctica – A new Initiative for Atmospheric Ecology
No full textThe role of Aerial dispersal in shaping patterns of biodiversity remains poorly understood, mainly due to a lack of coordinated efforts in gathering data at appropriate temporal and spatial scales. It has been long known that the rate of dispersal to an ecosystem can significantly influence ecosystem dynamics, and that aerial transport has been identified as an important source of biological input to remote locations. With the considerable effort devoted in recent decades to understanding atmospheric circulation in the south-polar region, a unique opportunity has emerged to investigate the atmospheric ecology of Antarctica, from regional to Continental scales. This concept note identifies key questions in Antarctic microbial biogeography and the need for standardized sampling and analysis protocols to address such questions. A consortium of polar aerobiologists is established to bring together researchers with a common interest in the airborne dispersion of microbes and other propagules in the Antarctic, with opportunities for comparative studies in the Arctic
Diurnal cycles of gaseous mercury within the snowpack at kuujjuarapik/whapmagoostui, Quebec, Canada
No full textAuthor Correction: Global airborne microbial communities controlled by surrounding landscapes and wind conditions
No full textInternational audienc
Diurnal cycle of iodine, bromine, and mercury concentrations in Svalbard surface snow
No full textSunlit snow is highly photochemically active and plays a key role in the exchange of gas phase species between the cryosphere and the atmosphere. Here, we investigate the behaviour of two selected species in surface snow: mercury (Hg) and iodine (I). Hg can deposit year-round and accumulate in the snowpack. However, photo-induced re-emission of gas phase Hg from the surface has been widely reported.
Iodine is active in atmospheric new particle formation, especially in the marine boundary layer, and in the destruction of atmospheric ozone. It can also undergo photochemical re-emission. Although previous studies indicate possible post-depositional processes, little is known about the diurnal behaviour of these two species and their interaction in surface snow. The mechanisms are still poorly constrained, and
no field experiments have been performed in different seasons to investigate the magnitude of re-emission processes
Three sampling campaigns conducted at an hourly resolution for 3 d each were carried out near Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard) to study the behaviour of mercury and iodine in surface snow under different sunlight and environmental conditions (24 h darkness, 24 h sunlight and day–night cycles). Our results indicate a different behaviour of mercury and iodine in surface snow during the different campaigns. The day–night experiments demonstrate the existence of a diurnal cycle in surface snow for Hg and iodine, indicating that these species are indeed influenced by the daily solar radiation cycle. Differently, bromine did not show any diurnal cycle. The diurnal cycle also disappeared for Hg and iodine during the 24 h sunlight period and during 24 h darkness experiments supporting the idea of the occurrence (absence) of a continuous recycling or exchange at the snow–air interface. These results demonstrate that this surface snow recycling is seasonally dependent, through sunlight. They also highlight the non-negligible role that snowpack emissions have on ambient air concentrations and potentially on iodine-induced atmospheric nucleation processes
Seasonal study of mercury species in the Antarctic sea ice environment
No full textLimited
studies have been conducted on mercury concentrations in
the polar cryosphere and the factors affecting the distribution of
mercury within sea ice and snow are poorly understood. Here we present
the first comprehensive seasonal study of elemental and total mercury
concentrations in the Antarctic sea ice environment covering data
from measurements in air, sea ice, seawater, snow, frost flowers,
and brine. The average concentration of total mercury in sea ice decreased
from winter (9.7 ng L–1) to spring (4.7 ng L–1) while the average elemental mercury concentration
increased from winter (0.07 ng L–1) to summer (0.105
ng L–1). The opposite trends suggest potential photo-
or dark oxidation/reduction processes within the ice and an eventual
loss of mercury via brine drainage or gas evasion of elemental mercury.
Our results indicate a seasonal variation of mercury species in the
polar sea ice environment probably due to varying factors such as
solar radiation, temperature, brine volume, and atmospheric deposition.
This study shows that the sea ice environment is a significant interphase
between the polar ocean and the atmosphere and should be accounted
for when studying how climate change may affect the mercury cycle
in polar regions
Diurnal production of gaseous mercury in the alpine snowpack before snowmelt
No full textIn March 2005, an extensive mercury study was performed just before snowmelt at Col de Porte, an alpine site close to Grenoble, France. Total mercury concentration in the snowpack ranged from 80 +/- 08 to 160 +/- 15 ng l(-1), while reactive mercury was below detection limit (0.2 ng l(-1)). We observed simultaneously a production of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) in the top layer of the snowpack and an emission flux from the snow surface to the atmosphere. Both phenomena were well correlated with solar irradiation, indicating photo-induced reactions in the snow interstitial air (SIA). The mean daily flux of GEM from the snowpack was estimated at similar to 9 ng m(-2) d(-1). No depletion of GEM concentrations was observed in the SIA, suggesting no occurrence of oxidation processes. The presence of liquid water in the snowpack clearly enhanced GEM production in the SIA. Laboratory flux chamber measurements enabled us to confirm that GEM production from this alpine snowpack was first driven by solar radiation (especially UVA and UVB radiation), and then by liquid water in the snowpack. Finally, a large GEM emission from the snow surface occurred during snowmelt, and we report total mercury concentrations in meltwater of about 72 ng l(-1)
Seven-year monitoring of mercury in wet precipitation and atmosphere at the Amsterdam Island GMOS station
No full textInternational audienceThis is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain
Methods to Investigate the Global Atmospheric Microbiome
No full textInternational audienceThe interplay between microbes and atmospheric physical and chemical conditions is an open field of research that can only be fully addressed using multidisciplinary approaches. The lack of coordinated efforts to gather data at representative temporal and spatial scales limits aerobiology to help understand large scale patterns of global microbial biodiversity and its causal relationships with the environmental context. This paper presents the sampling strategy and analytical protocols developed in order to integrate different fields of research such as microbiology,-omics biology, atmospheric chemistry, physics and meteorology to characterize atmospheric microbial life. These include control of chemical and microbial contaminations from sampling to analysis and identification of experimental procedures for characterizing airborne microbial biodiversity and its functioning from the atmospheric samples collected at remote sites from low cell density environments. We used high-volume sampling strategy to address both chemical and microbial composition of the atmosphere, because it can help overcome low aerosol and microbial cell concentrations. To account for contaminations, exposed and unexposed control filters were processed along with the samples. We present a method that allows for the extraction of chemical and biological data from the same quartz filters. We tested different sampling times, extraction kits and methods to optimize DNA yield from filters. Based on our results, we recommend supplementary sterilization steps to reduce filter contamination induced by handling and transport. These include manipulation under laminar flow hoods and UV sterilization. In terms of DNA extraction, we recommend a vortex step and a heating step to reduce Frontiers in Microbiology | www.frontiersin.org
The study of the mercury cycle in polar regions: An international study in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard
No full textInternational audienceMercury (Hg) is a toxic pollutant and it can be strongly accumulated in the food chain, especially in Polar Regions. This paper presents a part of the work that has been on-going for 3-4 years in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard within the frame of an international collaboration. In Ny-Alesund in spring 2003, the atmospheric chemistry of mercury has been studied so as to better understand the formation of oxidized mercury species in the atmosphere that could be deposited onto snow surfaces. The role of snow as a potential source of mercury to the atmosphere or as a sink has also been approached to better understand the behavior of this metal. Chemical and biological processes seem to play a major role in Hg storage in snow. When melting, snow could be a major source of Hg into the various ecosystems and this toxin could therefore be accumulated into the food chain
