Ensuring quality in long term environmental monitoring for chemical speciation

The awareness regarding quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) for environmental monitoring has considerably increased in the past few years, especially with respect to the determination of chemical species, since errors occurring at various levels may considerably affect the interpretation of results (e.g. studies of toxic impact, geochemical pathways, etc.). QA for environmental analysis covers a broad range of activities from sample collection to laboratory work and the approach for ensuring quality data should be considered in a global context. However, whereas great emphasis has been placed on QA within the laboratory, there have been few systematic attempts to evaluate risks of discrepancies related, for example, to field manipulations. The situation is even worse when monitoring is applied to relatively new fields such as chemical speciation. This paper outlines some of the main aspects of quality control of environmental analysis, including the validation of methods, sampling and sample handling, storage, etc., with special emphasis on the monitoring of chemical forms of elements (e.g. species of tin, mercury, lead and selenium).     

环境空气质量自动监测系统质量保证工作的探索

根据全国多个省市的环境空气自动监测质量保证工作的经验和做法,结合乌鲁木齐市环境空气自动监测质量保证工作实际情况,对点位设置要求、制度体系建立、仪器质量控制难点、数据审核与研判等环境空气自动监测质量保证工作的关键环节进行探索,为加强环境空气自动监测质量保证体系提供参考依据.     

Monitoring Air Quality in Mountains: Designing an Effective Network

A quantitatively robust yet parsimonious air-quality monitoring network in mountainous regions requires special attention to relevant spatial and temporal scales of measurement and inference. The design of monitoring networks should focus on the objectives required by public agencies, namely: 1) determine if some threshold has been exceeded (e.g., for regulatory purposes), and 2) identify spatial patterns and temporal trends (e.g., to protect natural resources). A short-term, multi-scale assessment to quantify spatial variability in air quality is a valuable asset in designing a network, in conjunction with an evaluation of existing data and simulation-model output. A recent assessment in Washington state (USA) quantified spatial variability in tropospheric ozone distribution ranging from a single watershed to the western third of the state. Spatial and temporal coherence in ozone exposure modified by predictable elevational relationships ( 1.3 ppbv ozone per 100 m elevation gain) extends from urban areas to the crest of the Cascade Range. This suggests that a sparse network of permanent analyzers is sufficient at all spatial scales, with the option of periodic intensive measurements to validate network design. It is imperative that agencies cooperate in the design of monitoring networks in mountainous regions to optimize data collection and financial efficiencies.     

Can Chinese-style environmental collaboration improve the air quality? A quasi-natural experimental study across Chinese cities

Environmental management has evolved from a vertical command and control management model to a more collaborative one. A series of public administration studies take the field of environmental policy as an important background for understanding collaborative governance, yet the theoretical and empirical study of environmental collaborative governance is relatively under-developed. This article begins to fill the research lacuna through the investigation of air pollution collaborative governance practice in Jing-Jin-Ji and surrounding areas. Based on the panel data of 58 regional cities from January 2016 to March 2019, a difference in difference quasi-natural experiment design is employed to explore the effect of environmental collaboration under Chinese authoritarian regime. The analysis shows that environmental collaboration has a positive impact on air quality and exhibits different effects on primary and secondary pollutants. Specifically, it has a greater influence on the emission reduction of NO₂ compared to SO₂ and CO, the positive effects of environmental collaboration on PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ pollutants are significant, and there is no statistically positive impact on O₃ control. The time trend effect of environmental collaboration varies among pollutants, it presents positive effects on air quality improvement and secondary pollutant control (e.g., PM_2.5, PM₁₀) after the fourth month, the mitigation effect of environmental collaboration on primary pollutants represented by NO₂ is more significant and constant in the sixth month. However, the time trend effect of environmental collaboration has gradually weakened. This paper concludes with discussions on the direction and implications of improving the performance and sustainability of environmental collaboration in China.     

Measurement of environmental pollutants using passive sampling devices--a commentary on the current state of the art

Passive sampling devices have been used since the 1970s to measure time-weighted average (TWA) or equilibrium concentrations of pollutants in various environmental matrices (e.g. air, soils and sediments and water). In recent years the popularity of using such samplers has increased and the technology in now well established for the measurement of atmospheric pollutants. This sector has a long experience of using passive samplers in the short- and long-term assessment of air quality in the local environment and on a global scale (e.g. within the United Nations Stockholm Convention on the trans-boundary movement of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) where large networks of samplers on a continental scale have been established). In comparison, the use of passive samplers for monitoring the aquatic environment has been slower to take off. There has, however, been a recent research drive to develop devices for measuring the wide range of pollutants that can be found in environmental waters (e.g. ground, surface, and marine). It is now being recognised that passive samplers can play a valuable role in monitoring water quality within a legislative framework such as the European Union's Water Framework Directive (WFD). The data from these devices can be used alongside the results obtained from conventional spot or bottle sampling to improve risk assessments and to inform decisions on undertaking potentially expensive remedial actions. Such monitoring techniques may have uses within the European Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & restriction of CHemicals (REACH) Directive and the forthcoming European Marine Strategy Directive. It is expected that the aquatic monitoring sector will follow a transition similar to that which occurred in air monitoring where data obtained from passive samplers can use used within a legal framework. There has also been increased interest in extending the role of passive samplers to both the measurement of equilibrium concentrations and investigating the movement and release of the dissolved fraction of various pollutants in the pore water of sediments and soils.     

Linking Monitoring and Effects Research: EMAP's Intensive Site Network Program

The EMAP program has been organized into three primary elements: Multi-Tier Design, Indicators, and Index Sites. The Index Sites program (DISPro - Demonstration Intensive Site Project) is the primary activity within the Index Sites element of EMAP. This project represents an inter-agency effort between EPA/ORD and DOI/NPS to develop a demonstration of an intensive site network of monitoring and research locations throughout the United States, utilizing the Nation's parklands as "outdoor laboratories." Twelve parks were selected to establish this demonstration. These 12 parks were selected because they are readily accessible, have a history of monitoring environmental information, and represent a broad spectrum of ecological communities. EMAP, through DISPro, is examining whether a "network" of sites existing within the parks can be used to address monitoring issues for global-scale environmental stressors (e.g., air pollution) as well as locale-specific stressors (e.g., air deposition, water-borne) and coordinated with cause-effect, issue-based research related to these environmental stressors. As a first activity, EPA will provide each of the sites with the instrumentation to monitor UV-B. The intent of the program is to initiate a consistent air monitoring program at each site to be followed by consistent monitoring within other media. The project will initiate research projects at all the sites (eventually) to examine the effects of environmental stressors of importance at each of the sites.     

Building a strategy for soil protection at local and regional scale—the case of agricultural wastes landspreading

Agricultural wastes (AW) are produced in huge quantities worldwide and may cause detrimental effects on environmental quality, affecting soil, water, and air quality. Given the growing soil degradation worldwide, the need for more food of good quality and therefore the intensified agriculture, it is important to develop recycling plans even for those types of treated AW (e.g., composts) that are not considered hazardous. Two strategic approaches for safe and sustainable landspreading of organic wastes are proposed, depending on wastes properties and hazard potential, i.e., an approach appropriate for traditionally used wastes (manures and composts) and another approach for wastes that are potentially hazardous or hazardous and should only be reused under specific restrictions. Both approaches foresee concrete steps, require close cooperation between farmers and local/regional authorities, and are appropriate to ensure environmental sustainability at AW recycling or disposal areas. Desktop and web application tools are also presented that are anticipated to assist authorities in implementing their monitoring strategies.     

国内外空气质量监测网络设计方法研究进展

如何设计效率高、代表性好、目的性强的空气质量监测网络,是长期以来空气质量监测工作的难点与关键。随着环境管理水平的提高,环境空气质量监测网络的设计成为当前研究的热点之一,国内外很多学者对其进行了广泛的研究。文章对美国、欧盟和我国关于空气质量监测网络设计的规范进行了简要评述和比较分析,并参考国内外一些关于空气质量监测网络设计的研究和应用实例,对当前主要的设计方法及应用进展进行了综述。     

试论环境空气质量自动监测系统的设计

目前 ,我国重点城市都在开展环境空气质量日报或预报工作 ,开展这一工作的基本条件之一是必须建立环境空气质量自动监测系统。由于我国目前的研制水平有限 ,空气质量自动监测系统基本上是靠引进国外技术及设备来完成的。而引进设备往往与我国的具体实际结合不够 ,尤其是在系统结构、数据采集、远程控制与诊断方面同我们的实际要求相去甚远。为此本文将围绕国内环境监测共同关注的环境空气质量自动监测系统及其设计的问题展开讨论 ,内容包括目前国内自动监测系统的现状 ;国外发展情况及趋势 ;自动监测系统结构与要求     

环境空气质量监测数据采集与传输的标准化研究及设计

目前中国空气质量监测数据缺乏统一的数据采集及传输管理规范,导致数据集成困难,各监测网络间的数据无法充分共享,形成信息孤岛。该研究在深入分析中国环境空气质量监测数据采集与传输现状及问题的基础上,遵循已有的标准规定并结合实际业务需求,针对环境空气质量监测数据传输系统结构、通讯协议以及监测数据编码提出具有良好扩展性、通用性及规范化的设计方案,以期促进监测设备及系统集成工作的标准化,实现系统间信息数据高度集成,信息资源充分共享和互融互通,环境空气质量监测业务紧密互动。     

大气颗粒物手工比对监测体系滤膜称量质控技术探讨

健全大气颗粒物手工比对监测体系是"十三五"环境空气自动监测质量管理的一项重点任务,其中颗粒物滤膜的称量直接影响手工监测数据质量。研究调研了国内各级环保部门所属环境监测机构颗粒物滤膜称量工作情况,结合国内外方法标准、技术规范等,重点探讨了称量实验室环境、称量设备、称量影响因素等滤膜称量质控要点,并针对环境管理与监测需求对大气颗粒物手工比对监测滤膜称量质控提出建议。     

Twenty-five years of nationwide ambient metals measurement in the United Kingdom: concentration levels and trends

Ambient air quality has been an important issue for humans and the environment for hundreds of years. More recently, definitive links have been identified between pollutants and adverse effects on human health and on environmental sustainability. Of particular concern since the last quarter of the twentieth century has been the presence of toxic 'heavy metals' in ambient air. In order to measure the concentrations of pollutants, including 'heavy metals', in ambient air, to assess human and environmental exposure, comply with developing legislation, and assess newly introduced abatement strategies, the UK government established nationwide air quality measurement networks in the late 1970s. The nationwide measurement of 'heavy metals' in ambient air began in the late 1970s, and in 1980 was developed into several national networks, aimed at different metals and different emissions sources. These networks were rationalised into the current UK Heavy Metals Monitoring Network in 2003. The data produced by the current scientific operator of the Network, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), in 2005, marked 25 years of ambient 'heavy metals' measurement in the UK at a nationwide level. This paper celebrates this milestone and provides a novel and critical examination of Network operations, measured concentration levels, and trends, over the last quarter of a century.     

Application of GNSS-RTK derived topographical maps for rapid environmental monitoring: a case study of Jack Finnery Lake (Perth, Australia)

In environmental monitoring, environmental impact assessments and environmental audits, topographical maps play an essential role in providing a means by which the locations of sampling sites may be selected, in assisting with the interpretation of physical features, and in indicating the impact or potential impact on an area due to changes in the system being monitored (e.g., spatially changing features such as wetlands). Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are hereby presented as a rapid method for monitoring spatial changes to support environmental monitoring decisions and policies. To validate the GNSS-based method, a comparison is made of results from a small-scale topographic survey using radio-based real-time kinematic GNSS (GNSS-RTK) and total station survey methods at Jack Finnery Lake, Perth, Australia. The accuracies achieved by the total station in this study were 2 cm horizontally and 6 cm vertically, while the GNSS-RTK also achieved an accuracy of 2 cm horizontally, but only 28 cm vertically. While the GNSS-RTK measurements were less accurate in the height component compared to those from the total station method, it is still capable of achieving accuracies sufficient for a topographic map at a scale of 1:1,750 that could support environmental monitoring tasks such as identifying spatial changes in small water bodies or wetlands. The time taken to perform the survey using GNSS-RTK, however, was much shorter compared to the total station method, thereby making it quite suitable for monitoring spatial changes within an environmental context, e.g., dynamic mining activities that require rapid surveys and the updating of the monitored data at regular intervals.     

构建环境监测业务网络化管理系统的思考

通过环境监测业务网络化管理系统的基本流程、主要功能和保障措施三个方面,详细论述了系统的构建思路、主要内容和运行途径。对环境监测任务的下达、质量保证、原始数据传输、三级审核,以及监测数据、报告的查询等一系列环节进行了设计上的介绍,同时对维持系统正常运行的组织机构、工作文件、工作制度、监测人员也进行了概括的论述。经过实际运行检验,本系统具有强化管理水平、规范工作程序、明确工作责任、提高服务质量等效果。     

G20峰会期间长三角区域臭氧变化及管控效果评估

为了研究2016年二十国集团领导人峰会(G20峰会)期间长三角区域臭氧(O3)变化特征,评估管控措施对O3浓度的影响,利用2016年8月10日至9月20日杭州及周边地区的空气质量监测数据、气象数据以及排放清单数据,分析了O3和NO2浓度及气象条件的时空分布特征,研究了不同管控区域不同保障时期O3浓度的时空变化和O3敏感控制区的改变。结果表明:峰会保障期间对于一次排放污染物和细颗粒物的管控措施效果明显,但核心区的O3质量浓度高于严控区和管控区,分别高出11. 2、9. 2μg/m^3。日间的NOx管控导致O3日变化幅度增高接近50μg/m^3。在峰会保障期间,卫星数据和站点观测结果显示核心区O3由VOCs控制区转为NOx-VOCs协同控制区,整个长三角区域的O3生成对于NOx排放量更为敏感。管控措施越强,核心区的O3生成对于NOx排放越敏感,且O3浓度与NOx浓度的相关性越强。对NOx和VOCs的协同控制降低排放,是关系O3浓度管控的一项重要工作。     

The estimation and interpretation of air quality trends,including some implications for network design

A review is given of methods being used to identify and interpret trends in air quality data from single stations and from networks of stations. Some comments are also included concerning the problem of designing networks which will identify trends as quickly as possible, thus providing early warnings of significant changes in air quality.Reprinted from the Preprint Volume, WMO Technical Conference on Regional and Global Observation of Atmospheric Pollution Relative to Climate, Boulder, Col., Aug. 1979, WMO Geneva, No. 549.     

国家地表水环境质量评价、分析与表征系统初步构建

随着国家地表水环境质量监测网络的优化调整以及水质自动监测与采测分离手工监测相结合模式的完全确立,每个月产生数百万计的监测数据。为全面支撑海量监测数据的传输、融合、处理、挖掘、分析、表征,构建了国家地表水环境质量评价、分析与表征系统。通过在多源异构数据融合、智能化数据质量控制、多层级水质评价与统计分析、地图动态数据表征等方面的技术创新,构建了包括数据来源层、数据存储层、应用支撑层、业务应用层和表征展示层5个主要部分的系统。形成了"一个融合、两个数据库、三个应用、四个中心",实现了数据集成融合、数据共享互通、数据统计分析、水质报告生成、地图空间表征、综合大屏展示等6个方面主要功能。应用于国家地表水环境监测评价业务工作,能够及时、直观、准确、全面地展现全国地表水环境质量状况,为全国地表水环境质量管理决策、业务处理、科学研究提供有效的信息支撑。     

Air quality monitoring for multiple pollutants: Optimization of a network around a hypothetical potash plant and two thermal power stations in open countryside

A method is presented for the design of multi-pollutant air quality monitoring networks (AQMN). This technique leads to an optimal network, i.e. a network providing a maximum of information with a minimum of measurement devices. The spatial correlation analysis technique is used to compare the information given by the potential sites that may form the network. The concept of potential of violation is defined to take into account the number of times that the maximum emission values tolerated by law are exceeded. Both objectives are weighted automatically through an adjustable parameter, b, for which an estimation procedure has been developed in this study, depending on the purpose of the network. Several methods are described, allowing simultaneous consideration of different pollutants. As an illustration of these methods, a number of air quality monitoring networks is designed to perform an analysis of the environmental impact due to a hypothetical potash processing plant and two thermal power stations.     

LaSVM-based big data learning system for dynamic prediction of air pollution in Tehran

Due to critical impacts of air pollution, prediction and monitoring of air quality in urban areas are important tasks. However, because of the dynamic nature and high spatio-temporal variability, prediction of the air pollutant concentrations is a complex spatio-temporal problem. Distribution of pollutant concentration is influenced by various factors such as the historical pollution data and weather conditions. Conventional methods such as the support vector machine (SVM) or artificial neural networks (ANN) show some deficiencies when huge amount of streaming data have to be analyzed for urban air pollution prediction. In order to overcome the limitations of the conventional methods and improve the performance of urban air pollution prediction in Tehran, a spatio-temporal system is designed using a LaSVM-based online algorithm. Pollutant concentration and meteorological data along with geographical parameters are continually fed to the developed online forecasting system. Performance of the system is evaluated by comparing the prediction results of the Air Quality Index (AQI) with those of a traditional SVM algorithm. Results show an outstanding increase of speed by the online algorithm while preserving the accuracy of the SVM classifier. Comparison of the hourly predictions for next coming 24 h, with those of the measured pollution data in Tehran pollution monitoring stations shows an overall accuracy of 0.71, root mean square error of 0.54 and coefficient of determination of 0.81. These results are indicators of the practical usefulness of the online algorithm for real-time spatial and temporal prediction of the urban air quality.