Cross-cutting research and future directions under the GAPS networks†

The Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) network and GAPS Megacities network (GAPS-MC) are the only global-scale air monitoring programs for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which support the Global Monitoring Plan (GMP) of the Stockholm Convention on POPs. The GAPS data represents all five United Nation regions and informs the spatial and temporal trends of listed POPs, their long-range transport in air, and new priorities for POPs monitoring and research. This information contributes to the Effectiveness Evaluation of the Stockholm Convention, which is assessed every six years. To ensure its long-term sustainability and relevance, the GAPS network is engaging in cross-cutting studies across fields of science and policy – leading to more holistic and integrative work on air pollution, health, climate science, and biodiversity. Future work under GAPS will continue to advance areas of intersection and tap-into topics and expertise in areas such as non-target analysis (chemical mixture approaches including transformation products in air), advanced data analysis and land-use assessment methods, top-down and inverse global modeling, global air health assessment/warning systems, and citizen science and outreach.