Welcome TFMM workshop on the implementation of the EMEP monitoring strategy Introduction to the monitoring strategy QA/QC activities of EMEP organisation of the meeting Kjetil Tørseth, EMEP-CCC/NILU

Strategy is adopted by the EMEP Steering Body The Executive Body to the CLRTAP is expected to adopt it A separate EB decision is suggested

Draft;

To be resolved to ensure its implementation; Technical issues related to the monitoring (methods, QA/QC etc) __________________________________________________ Financial and organisational issues (harmonisation, collaboration, multi-purpose etc.) Selection of sites

Quality assurance in EMEP EMEP is an extension of the OECD project LRTAP (1972-1975) Preparatory phase initiated in 1977, regular measurements from 1978 Started with acid deposition, includes now a wide range of parameters (#~800) Initially no fixed Data Quality Objectives and all data of a reasonable quality was welcomed Different efforts for data quality improvements and harmonisation have been in place from the start Manual for sampling and chemical analysis (1978, 1996) Reference methods Laboratory intercomparisons Data checking in cooperation with countries and flagging Training and audits Workshops and expert meetings Collaboration and harmonisation

Problems encountered Countries use different methodologies Time series existed, unwilling or unable to change methods Incomplete programme (not concurrent, collocated, full description (e.g. major ions in precip only from 1987) Competence and qualifications Technical facilities and instrumentation Insufficient information about methods used Metadata not known Lack of efficient tools for quality control Problems in data reporting Proposals for a series of field intercomparisons were put forward in 1983 but was not funded before 1986

Examples of QA activities

EMEP Monitoring Strategy and Measurement Programme 2004 - 2009 Structure; I - Introduction II - Objectives and general requirements III - General structure of the monitoring programme IV - Compliance, implementation and further evolution

Level 1 Main objective of level-1 monitoring is to provide in the long-term basic chemical and physical measurements of the traditional EMEP parameters. Basic parameters in relation to particulate matter, acidification, eutrofication and heavy metals. Also meteorological data are requested. Low cost methods are allowed for gas/particle partitioning. POP measurements are not requested Level-1 parameters are first priority when extening the network. By undertaking a more demanding programme, the level 1 sites should gradually be upgraded to level-2 sites

Level 2 Main objective of level-2 monitoring is to provide parameters essential for process understanding and further chemical speciation of relevant components. Includes parameters required at level-1 plus a series of additional ones. These additional parameters include measurements at a higher temporal resolution, reliable gas/particle distribution, chemical speciation of aerosol mass, VOCs, heavy metals in air, Hg and POPs in air and precipitation. The aim is to establish 20-30 level-2 sites over Europe by 2009 Level-2 sites are defined according to topics and a particular site do not have to cover all topics Level-2 sites will be identified as an ”EMEP supersite” (or joint EMEP/GAW supersite)

Level 3 Research driven and may often be avilable at locations other than level-1 and level-2 sites, further data would typically be provided by other institutions than those being responsible for implementing the national monitoring obligations A number of relevant paramters are identified as being of interest for EMEP Level-3 sites may include campaign data

Objective of the workshop: Discuss methodologies and technical issues related to the implementation of the level 2 (and level 3) activities defined by the EMEP monitoring strategy Expected output: Proposal for methodologies and SOPs to be included in the EMEP manual Advice to Parties on methodologies