Based on the meetings and discussions among PEOPLE’s members and partners as well as the comprehensive literature reviews, the following Themes (T) have been identified as the network’s R&D and training focal areas:
Detection, identification and quantification of PEOPs and their transformation products;
Fate and behaviors in cold marine and coastal environments (esp. with snow/ice);
Evaluation, improvement and development of source reduction and advanced clean technologies;
Enhanced and new control and remediation methods for PEOP contaminated shoreline and water through integration with nano/bio-technologies;
Vulnerability analysis, exposure/risk assessment, fate and transport modeling, and policy/decision making;
Toxicological and ecological effect assessment;
Health and community impact analysis; and
Evaluation and mitigation of socio-economic effects and engagement/training of northern and coastal communities.
PEOPLE Network-Themes and Working Groups
Current topics of Working Groups are as follows:
WG 1: Literature review, PEOPs selection, and database development.
This theme covers literature review, screening/selection of representative PEOPs, and historic data and sample inventory development. Topics include, but no limited to, occurrence, sources and origins, behavior and spatial-temporal variability, monitoring, toxicity and exposure, impacts on human and ecosystems, mitigation strategies, and regulation and policies. Close liaison with participants of the network is maintained.
WG 2. Detection, identification and quantification of PEOPs and their transformation products.
This theme covers the identification of targeting PEOPs and their transformation products, biomonitoring tools (e.g. bio-assay-directed monitoring and quantitative measurement of biomarkers) for evaluating impact of PEOPs, and the characterization of microbial community structure for indication of PEOPs inputs especially in cold marine and coastal environments.
WG 3. Fate and behaviors in cold marine and coastal environments (esp. with snow/ice).
This theme covers the fate and behaviors of PEOPs such as transport, transformation and biological uptake under cold environmental conditions within the marine environment (including as assessment of their sensitivity to climate variabilities). Consideration is also given to the inclusion of organometallic contaminants to PEOPS.
WG 4. Evaluation, improvement and development of source reduction and advanced clean technologies.
Existing technologies are evaluated particularly for removal of PEOPs from drinking and wastewater. Selected methods are further refined along with new (e.g., nanotech and biotech) technology development developed based on the expertise of the network. Source-oriented approaches and green technologies are given special consideration.
WG 5. Enhanced and new control and remediation methods for PEOP contaminated shoreline and water through integration with nano/bio-technologies.
This theme covers chemical and nano-remediation such as enhanced photolytic and chemical degradation, remote sensing, data collection and analysis, and response planning. It also covers biotechnologies for remediation such as bio-stimulation using gaseous and liquid nutrients and oxygen enhancement.
WG 6. Vulnerability analysis, exposure/risk assessment, fate and transport modeling, and policy/decision making.
Vulnerability evaluation and health risk management are key components in the impact assessment and method development in terms of dealing with PEOPs. Risk/impact assessment, pollutant transport and fate simulation, and system optimization are integrated in order to provide a dynamic comprehensive risk-based decision-making support system.
WG 7. Toxicological and ecological effect assessment.
The research focuses on evaluation of PEOPs on toxicology and marine ecology in order to gain better understanding of the mechanisms and impacts. The effects associated with treatment and remediation methods are also important to develop better technologies for pollution mitigation.
WG 8. Health and community impact analysis.
Priority elements under this theme include: human health effects caused by PEOPs through monitoring and sampling, short/long-term exposure evaluation, and risk quantification/mapping. The linkage with pollutant sources, pathways and mitigation actions is studied and the emphasis is given to remote and indigenous communities particularly in the northern and coastal regions.
WG 9. Evaluation and mitigation of socio-economic effects and engagement/training of northern and coastal communities.
The theme covers three major tasks: 1) understanding and evaluation of social and economic effects of pollution caused by PEOPs in both quantitative and qualitative ways; 2) the formulation of possible mitigation methods through participation of stakeholders; and 3) the development and provision of 3-tier educational and training programs for HQP, professionals and communities. Special attention and efforts are given to indigenous communities in northern and coastal regions.
Anyone with interest and expertise in taking leadership in the Themes and Working Groups is encouraged to contact Dr. Bing Chen.
