The European Commission has spotlighted the GMOS-Train project for its groundbreaking contributions to combating mercury pollution. This EU-funded initiative has advanced global efforts to understand mercury’s behavior in the environment and mitigate its risks to human health and ecosystems.
Mercury pollution, amplified by industrial activities and climate change, poses significant challenges, particularly due to its bioaccumulation in fish consumed by humans. GMOS-Train focused on improving mercury monitoring and creating advanced modeling tools to support global policy initiatives like the Minamata Convention.
The project brought together 15 PhD researchers from around the world, whose work has deepened understanding of mercury’s transformation and movement through air, water, and soil. Their research has not only clarified mercury’s impact on marine life and food chains but also informed more effective public health and environmental policies.
Prof. Milena Horvat emphasized, “We developed robust tools and infrastructure, ensuring consistent, comparable results that support both scientific research and policy-making. Our efforts continue to drive global collaboration and innovation.”
This success highlights the pivotal role of EU-backed research in addressing critical environmental challenges and fostering the next generation of scientific leaders.