Objectives

The overall goal of this project is to develop protocols for SI-traceable calibration, evaluation and certification of elemental mercury (Hg0) and oxidised mercury (HgII) gas generators used in the field. This research will feed into the standardisation technical committee CEN/TC264/WG8.

The specific objectives of the project are:

  1. To develop and validate a protocol for the SI-traceable certification of elemental mercury (Hg0) gas generators used in the field based on (1) direct comparison and (2) indirect comparison with the primary mercury gas standard. The validation will include repeatability, reproducibility and uncertainty evaluation of the certification procedures at emission and ambient levels extended to the sub ng/m3 level.
  2. To validate a certification protocol for the certification of oxidised mercury (HgII) gas generators used in the field for low mercury concentrations present in the atmosphere and higher concentrations from emission sources. The validation will include (1) metrological evaluation of state-of-the-art dual Hg0 and HgII analytical systems, (2) repeatability, reproducibility and uncertainty evaluation of the certification procedures at representative concentration levels extended to the low ng/m3 level.
  3. To organise a performance evaluation to gather data on the characteristics of at least three Hg0 and three HgII gas generators on the market.
  4. To support the development of a suitable calibration system for mercury measurements in the atmosphere, as part of the global mercury observation system used to measure the effectiveness of the implementation of the Minamata Convention, by the dissemination of scientific outcomes through guidance documents for accurate field measurement and uncertainty assessment.
  5. To facilitate the take up of protocols, methods, technology and measurement infrastructure developed in the project by the standards developing organisations (e.g. CEN/TC264/WG8 “Mercury Emissions”) and end-users (energy sector, instrument manufacturers, atmospheric air monitoring networks and heavy industry).