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.

水电性是许多加拿大省，尤其是魁北克的能源部门的基石。大型水力发电储层中鱼类甲基汞（MEHG）的生物积累增加，在较小程度上，在该行业数十年来已将温室气体排放确定为环境问题。然而，与汞有关的意外挑战最近出现了与（1）（1）河流植物作为MEHG的来源相关的； （2）北部不断变化的碳和汞循环之间的联系与水力发电大坝在修改这些联系中的作用； （3）沿海河流在向海洋出口出口的沿海河流的作用。我们建议使用多尺度的多学科方法来解决这些问题，从需要紧急解决方案的当地案例研究到可以更好地研究与气候变化相关的挑战的区域规模。我们组建了一支来自3个大学的9个学者组成的团队（包括4个研究椅），他们因其在汞和碳生物地球化学，基因组学，微生物学，分析化学，食物网络动力学和气候建模方面的工作而认可公司（Hydro-Quebec），环境顾问（AECOM）和气候适应协会（Ouranos）。水力部门通过这笔赠款获得的知识将有助于制定降低其HG足迹并保护野生动植物和人类社区的战略。这将使用其他能源来提高针对其他电力公用事业的竞争力。它还将提高水力发电技术和全球市场的专业知识的出口性。