Integrated air-quality monitoring - combined use of measurements and models in monitoring programmes

Abstract

Environmental context. Optimisation of allocated resources, improved quality, and better understanding of processes – these are the main advantages of applying integrated monitoring (IM). The paper describes IM as a combination of air pollution measuring and modelling, and describes how it is implemented in air-quality management in Denmark. However, the IM concept may also be applied to follow air-quality levels in other countries that currently do not have a corresponding system. It may also be applied to the environmental monitoring of other compartments. Abstract. Integrated air-quality monitoring (IM) is here defined as monitoring based on the combination of results of atmospheric measurements from usually fixed site stations, and results obtained from calculations with air-quality models. This paper outlines experience from the use of IM at the National Environmental Research Institute (NERI) within the two nationwide air-quality monitoring programmes for the Danish urban and rural environments, respectively. The measurements in these Danish monitoring programmes are used to determine actual levels and trends in pollutant concentrations and depositions of pollutants. The measurements are further used for process understanding, and for the development and validation of air-quality models. The results from the air-quality models are used in the interpretation of measurements, but they are also used to provide information about, for example, source apportionment. The model calculations are used to extend the geographical coverage of the monitoring, and to provide information about pollution loads at locations or regions that are not well covered by the limited number of measurement stations in the monitoring programmes. Finally, the air-quality models are applied to carry out scenario studies of future pollution loads, e.g. assessment of the effects of various emission reduction strategies. NERI operates and holds the overall responsibility for the Danish air-quality monitoring programmes. These monitoring programmes are designed to fulfil the Danish obligations in relation to the EU directives on air quality, as well as the Danish obligations in relation to the reporting of data to international organisations (EMEP, HELCOM, OSPARCOM, and WHO). The obtained results from the use of IM form the basis for the national assessment of the air pollution loads in relation to protection of the aquatic and terrestrial environment; in these assessments the use of IM plays a central role.