The mission of the Mercury in the Environment and Links to Deposition (MELD) Science Committee is to improve our understanding of atmospherically-derived mercury sources, pathways, processes, and effects on the environment. MELD provides an ongoing forum for technical exchange of information on current and emerging issues relevant to atmospheric mercury deposition research and monitoring efforts within a broad multi-organization context including international, federal, state, and local agencies as well as academia, industry, and non-profit organizations.
The charges of the MELD are to:
- Integrate the expertise affiliated with the Mercury Deposition Network (MDN), Atmospheric Mercury Network (AMNet), Litterfall Mercury Monitoring Network, and mercury biomonitoring initiatives to identify data and science gaps, coordinate research efforts to fill those gaps, and better utilize the data.
- Support existing and emerging national networks that monitor mercury both in the atmosphere and across the landscape by providing a multi-disciplinary forum to share information on measuring techniques, model development, and uncertainties associated with these approaches.
- Develop and use critical loads as a tool for understanding ecological responses to mercury loads and provide estimates of total mercury deposition.
- Enhance the public recognition of NADP by underscoring the importance of monitoring the atmospheric deposition of mercury on environmental and public health.
- Contribute to efforts evaluating the effectiveness of global mercury reductions (e.g., Minamata Convention on Mercury, Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution).
- Foster a connection between NADP and other national and international organizations to advance global mercury science and monitoring capacity, increasing external involvement in the NADP science community.