Mercury: solving emerging environmental challenges of the hydroelectric sector

Mercury：解决水力发电行业新出现的环境挑战

• 批准号: 493474-2015
• 负责人: Amyot, Marc
• 金额: $ 10.63万
• 依托单位: Université de Montréal
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=693606
• 关键词: Mercury; solving; emerging; environmental; challenges

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.

水电是加拿大许多省份能源部门的基石，尤其是在魁北克省。几十年来，大型水电水库中神经毒素甲基汞（MeHg）在鱼类体内的生物积累增加，以及在较小程度上温室气体排放已被确定为该部门的环境问题。然而，最近出现了与汞有关的意想不到的挑战，涉及：(1)河流上的植物是甲基汞的来源；(2)变化中的北方地区碳、汞循环之间的联系以及水电大坝对这种联系的调节作用；(3)沿海河流的水力发电对汞向海洋输出的作用。我们建议采用多尺度、多学科的方法来解决这些问题，从需要紧急解决方案的河流工厂的当地案例研究开始，到可以更好地研究与气候变化相关的挑战的区域尺度。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名研究主席），他们在汞和碳生物地球化学、基因组学、微生物学、分析化学、食物网动力学和气候建模方面的工作得到了认可，并与一家大型水电公司（Hydro-Quebec）、一家环境顾问公司（AECOM）和一家气候适应联盟（Ouranos）合作。水电部门通过这笔赠款获得的知识将有助于制定减少汞足迹和保护野生动物和人类社区的战略。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可出口性。