Chemical pollution is a global problem with regionally different composition, sources and impacts threatening water resources, human health and ecosystems all over the world. While data bases on pollution are rapidly increasing in many high-income regions such as Europe, data on chemical pollution in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia and Middle- and South-America are rather scarce. While analytical instrumentation and common monitoring, assessment and mitigation strategies are widely lacking, awareness on pollution problems is increasing globally and excellent and dedicated scientists and practitioners are ready to address pollution problems in their countries. The current workshop aims to bring international pioneers in chemical monitoring together with a specific focus on the “Global South” and the establishment of a sustainable network to find solutions to pollution all over the world.
WORKSHOP GOALS:
1) Initiative for a global network on monitoring, understanding and minimizing chemical pollution in the “One world”.
2) Scientific exchange on chemical pollution, related risks and impacts and major drivers in the “Global South” and on needs, capacities and gaps in monitoring
3) Pilot study to demonstrate the opportunities of monitoring of chemical pollution under low capacity settings.
4) Initiative for a review/policy paper on the status, gaps and urgent needs in the field of monitoring, understanding and minimizing chemical pollution in the “One world”.
In preparation for the meeting, participants will be invited to (i) take part in a low-effort pilot study involving water sampling, and (ii) complete a questionnaire about the possibilities for water quality monitoring in their home country. Further details will be provided in the near future.
