Mercury: solving emerging environmental challenges of the hydroelectric sector

水力发电是加拿大许多省份能源部门的基石，特别是在魁北克。几十年来，大型水电水库中鱼类体内神经毒素甲基汞（甲基汞）的生物累积增加以及温室气体排放（程度较轻）已被确定为该部门的环境问题。然而，最近出现了一些与汞有关的意想不到的挑战，这些挑战涉及：（1）作为甲基汞来源的径流式河流发电厂;（2）不断变化的北方地区碳和汞循环之间的联系，以及水力发电大坝在改变这些联系方面的作用;（3）用于水力发电的沿海河流在向海洋出口汞方面的作用。我们建议使用多尺度，多学科的方法来解决这些问题，从一个当地的案例研究的径流河工厂，迫切需要解决方案，以区域规模，与气候变化相关的挑战可以更好地研究。我们组建了一个由来自3个省6所大学的9名学者组成的团队（包括4个研究主席），他们在汞和碳地球化学，基因组学，微生物学，分析化学，食物网动态和气候建模方面的工作得到了认可，与一家大型水电公司（魁北克水电），一家环境顾问（AECOM）和一个气候适应联盟（Ouranos）合作。水电部门通过该赠款获得的知识将有助于制定战略，减少汞足迹，保护野生动物和人类社区。这将提高与使用其他能源的其他电力公司的竞争力。它还将增加水电技术和专门知识在全球市场上的出口。

Hydroelectricity is a cornerstone of the energy sector in many Canadian provinces, and particularly in Quebec. Increased bioaccumulation of the neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg) in fish in large hydro-electric reservoirs and to a lesser extent greenhouse gas emissions have been identified as environmental issues for decades in this sector. Unexpected challenges linked to mercury, however, have recently emerged related to (1) run-over-river plants as source of MeHg; (2) linkages between carbon and Hg cycling in the changing North and the role of hydroelectric dams in modifying these linkages; (3) the role of coastal rivers harnessed for hydroelectricity on the export of Hg to the ocean. We propose to tackle these issues using a multiscale, multidisciplinary approach, starting from a local case study of a run-over-river plant for which urgent solutions are needed, to the regional scale where the challenges linked to climate change can be better studied. We have assembled a team of 9 academics from 6 universities in 3 provinces (including 4 research chairs) recognized for their work in mercury and carbon biogeochemistry, genomics, microbiology, analytical chemistry, food web dynamics and climate modeling to partner up with a major hydroelectric company (Hydro-Quebec), an environment consultant (AECOM) and a consortium on climate adaptation (Ouranos). The knowledge gained by the hydroelectric sector through this grant will help develop strategies to decrease its Hg footprint and protect wildlife and human communities. This will increase competitiveness against other power utilities using other energy sources. It will also increase the exportability of hydroelectrical technologies and know-how on the global market.