How to investigate mercury in the oceans?

Mercury is a highly toxic metal that affects the environment and can endanger people's health, as a powerful neurotoxin.

The combustion of coal, waste and fuel are releasing hundreds of tons of heavy metal into the atmosphere annually, and its sediment enters to soil and water.

Mercury measurements are part of the EU project "Global Mercury Observation System".

The long-term goal of this project is to create a global system for monitoring of mercury and its compounds. In the process of achieving this goal are implemented different research projects.

For example, after six years of working together the research center of coastal areas Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG) and the company for the production and operation of cruise ships TUI Cruises was launched a research project to study of seawater and atmosphere.

To do this, aboard the cruise ship "Mein Schiff 3" company TUI Cruises have been established complex of analyzers, including mercury analyzer «RA-915 AM» production of «Lumex Instruments». The monitors are designed for fully automated continuous measurement of the mercury concentration in ambient air.

According to the CEO of company TUI Cruises Wybcke Meier, the purpose of its participation in this project was the ability to minimize the impact of cruise ships the company on the environment. For Mein Schiff 3 and the recently-completed ship Mein Schiff 4 is now set new environmental standards to ensure that the pollution of air and water decreased to values that will meet future legal requirements.