Bayesian estimation of European sulphur emissions using monitoring data and an acid deposition model

A statistical method for estimating national emissions of acidifying air pollutants in Europe is presented. The method uses an acid deposition model to match official emissions data from European countries and measured depositions from a monitoring network. An application to 1990 sulphate data demonstrates the method and suggests some tendencies in the reported emissions. The proposed framework may prove useful for verifying national compliance with emissions standards, and the method should be applicable also to other substances than sulphur dioxide. The problem of designing an optimal monitoring network may also be assessed within the proposed statistical framework.