Freddy Adams is emeritus professor of analytical chemistry at the University of Antwerp. He is the author and co-author of over 500 scientific articles, several monographs and text books and ca. 10 chapters of multi-authored books. He was director of the Trace and Micro Analysis Centre (MiTAC) of the University of Antwerp from 1980 to 2003. He was supervisor of ca. 50 doctoral thesis. His research interests deal with fundamental analytical chemistry, microscopic and trace analysis and applications in the materials sciences, the environmental sciences and art & archaeology. He was Rector of the Graduate School of the UA (1983-1995) and President, vice-President or member of a number of Belgian or European councils, committees and societies concerned with analytical chemistry or science or science policy. He is the recipient of relevant scientific national and international Awards including the Prize Environment Policy of the Coca-Cola Foundation, the Pregl Medal of Austrian Chemical Society, the "Torch Award of Plasma Spectrochemistry. He is Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Iasi, Romania and the University of Chisinau, Moldova.Carlo Barbante is director of the Italian National Research Council's Institute for the Dynamics of Environmental Processes, and full professor at the University of Venice, Ca'Foscari. His principal research interest is the development of analytical methods based on inorganic and organic mass spectrometry for the ultra-trace determination and speciation in environmental and biological matrices and advanced materials. He participated to several scientific expeditions in polar regions and in the Alps. His work focuses on the reconstruction of archives of atmospheric trace elements and organic compounds deposition. Prof. Barbante is the Italian National Delegate to the European Union for Climate Action, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials (Horizon 2020 Advisory Board).