MONIMER Project
PROJECT MONIMER
Design and development of a mercury monitoring system in trophic networks. Indicator species for environmental risk assessment
The MONIMER project aims to design, validate and implement an advanced environmental monitoring system for mercury, intended to assess in an integrated manner the actual environmental risk associated with the mobilization, bioaccumulation and biomagnification of mercury and methylmercury in continental trophic networks.
The project is being carried out in the Almadén area (Ciudad Real), one of the world’s largest historical mercury‑mining districts, where high levels of mercury persist in soils, waters, sediments and living organisms despite the environmental restoration actions undertaken.
MONIMER proposes a shift in environmental monitoring, moving from surveillance based solely on concentrations in the physical environment to intelligent risk‑based monitoring. This is achieved through the use of bioindicators, trophic‑pathway analysis, mercury speciation, and genomic techniques to validate contaminant‑mobilization processes.
Main objectives
Assess the environmental risk of mercury
Assess the environmental risk of mercury in aquatic, terrestrial, agro environmental and agroforestry ecosystems in the Almadén region.
Characterize the fluids, mobilization processes and methylation hotspots of mercury
Characterize the fluids, mobilization processes and methylation hotspots of mercury from soils and sediments into trophic networks.
Identify species and tissues
Identify species and tissues that serve as indicators of mercury and methylmercury mobilization, accumulation and biomagnification.
Analyze bioaccumulation
Analyze bioaccumulation in crops and wildlife, including species consumed locally by humans.
Develop predictive models
Develop predictive models for mercury transport and accumulation in trophic networks.
Design an operational protocol
Design an operational protocol for mercury risk monitoring, reproducible and applicable by the company.
Ensure knowledge transfer and technical training
Ensure knowledge transfer and technical training for the staff of the Mercury Technology Centre (CTM MAYASA).
Expected results
- Comprehensive environmental risk monitoring system for mercury, based on bio surveillance.
- Identification of key indicator species and trophic pathways involved in contaminant mobilization.
- Technical protocols for sampling, analysis and environmental monitoring.
- Integrated database and predictive models to support environmental management and decision making.
- Advanced training of MAYASA’s technical staff for the autonomous application of the monitoring system.
- Results that can be replicated in other mercury affected mining areas, both nationally and internationally.
Expected impact
- Scientific and technological: development of innovative methodologies for assessing the actual mercury risk in trophic networks, including the use of metagenomic techniques.
- Environmental: improved management and prevention of risks associated with mercury and methylmercury in vulnerable ecosystems.
- Public health: identification of potential risks to human health arising from the consumption of contaminated species.
- Strategic and regulatory: support for public policies and strategies aligned with the Minamata Convention, ecological transition goals and the sustainable management of historical mining sites.
- Training and knowledge transfer: strengthening of local technical capacities and consolidation of CTM MAYASA as a reference center.
Project partners
The MONIMER project is carried out through a multidisciplinary consortium that combines industrial, scientific and technological expertise:
Coordinator
