MERI houses a full chemical analytical laboratory, a Geographical Information Systems laboratory, the NJMC library and maintains a permanent network of flood monitoring stations as well as air and water quality stations throughout the District.
The laboratory operates state-of-the art chemical analytical instruments that can detect contaminants in soil, water, air or animal tissue. The laboratory offers environmental sampling, extraction and analysis for organic and inorganic compounds and conducts a wide range of environmental monitoring. The lab’s resources and four permanent staff holding advanced Ph.D., Masters and professional degrees are available to support contaminant related investigations in the District and surrounding townships.
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) group creates, maintains and disseminates spatial information pertaining to the District and the region and plays a key role in helping the Commission communicate geographically with District towns, planners and engineers. The GIS group maintains advanced computer systems to manage flood warnings and to survey any aspect of the geography in the District. A principal mission of this group is to support District municipalities by providing access to municipal GIS datasets and tools. Since 1992, four full time professional staff train District municipal staff and build strategic regional planning datasets.
The MERI Library holds the administrative and technical memory of more than 40 years of environmental improvements and engineering works. The collection of books, periodicals, government documents, multimedia, maps and archival materials related to the Meadowlands District are managed under well established library science standards and are available on-line to the public through the Library’s search engine and web page.
Our collaborations with researchers and scholars from our regionial Universities and with state and federal agencies attracts outside funding and scientific talent that help address environmental problems of the region.
MERI Organization
1.- Chemical Analytical Laboratory
Provides instruments and skilled analytical chemists to determine concentrations of various chemicals in water, air, sediment, plant and animal tissues. The laboratory supports the environmental monitoring efforts in the District.
2.- Environmental Monitoring
MERI scientists collect Meadowlands environmental data through automatic monitoring stations and field studies. They analyze and organize this data into reports and presentations to inform the public about the environmental quality of Meadowlands ecosystems.
3.- Geographic Information System (GIS)
MERI’s GIS laboratory manages and analyses all spatial data about the District. It uses digital technologies to bring remote sensing and digital maps together to monitor land use changes in the District. It also uses specialized software (CityViewTM) to track permit applications and makes up-to-date spatial information available to engineers, scientists, municipal officials and decision makers.
4.- Library and Environmental Information Management
Library
By serving as the main repository for NJMC documents and reports, the MERI Library houses the collective environmental and administrative memory of the NJMC. The library provides reference and research assistance to the public, including access to on-line catalogues and indexes.
Environmental Information Management
MERI organizes and disseminates Meadowlands District environmental data for use by researchers, the public and the “State of the Meadowlands Report”. MERI organizes and validates these data collections and makes them accessible via reports and the World Wide Web to scientists and general users.
5.- Science Administration
Provides administrative support to MERI and coordinates research projects and technology transfers between MERI, collaborators and contractors.