Data report | EANET Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia

Highlights from the Twenty-fourth Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC24) on the EANET

Posted on 2024/11/07 by Aurélia Lemoine

7 November 2024 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Twenty-fourth Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC24) on the EANET took place from October 29 to 31, 2024, in Seoul, Republic of Korea and online, hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, and the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Republic of Korea. The session gathered over 55 representatives from the 13 EANET Participating Countries, along with the Network Center and the Secretariat for the EANET, to discuss the network’s recent achievements, assess key reports, and contribute suggestions for the upcoming Medium-Term Plan (MTP) of the EANET (2026-2030).

Progress of EANET in 2023-2024

EANET reported substantial progress in its 2023-2024 core activities and project activities. This included advancements in both acid deposition research and broader air quality management issues, reflecting the network’s expanded scope. The Secretariat and Network Center highlighted successful activities, such as capacity building, project implementation and workshops to enhance awareness of air pollution challenges across East Asia. They also presented updates on EANET’s acid deposition and air quality monitoring, PM2.5 characterization, and ecosystems impact assessment. Among others, findings emphasized the effects of nitrogen on ecosystems and identified major pollution sources like biomass and plastic combustion. Pilot trials for a Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network revealed challenges in using Low-Cost Sensors, necessitating the need to further review the guidelines for low-cost sensor use in conventional air quality monitoring. A review of emission inventories and source apportionment studies in Southeast Asia underscored the need for further improvement and standardizing methodologies.

Adoption of Key Reports and National Monitoring Plans

A central aspect of SAC24’s discussions involved reviewing and adopting essential EANET reports. The 2023 Data Report provided an in-depth overview of monitoring data on wet and dry deposition, soil and vegetation, and inland aquatic environment in the 13 Participating Countries. Meanwhile, the Inter-laboratory Comparison (ILC) Report documented quality assessments across laboratories within the network, ensuring consistent analytical standards. Updated National Monitoring Plans were also reviewed, underscoring countries’ commitments to refining their data collection and monitoring capabilities. The adoption of these reports marks a significant step forward, providing reliable data that will support scientific research and policy decisions across the region.

Countries’ suggestions for the Next Medium-Term Plan (2026-2030)

The SAC24 engaged in forward-looking discussions regarding the next Medium-Term Plan (MTP) of EANET (2026-2030). Participating Countries offered valuable insights aimed at strengthening the monitoring network, expanding capacity-building efforts, and refining targeted pollutants in line with regional environmental priorities. Suggestions included developing sustainable monitoring frameworks that integrate advanced data collection methods, such as low-cost sensors and satellite data. Participants also emphasized the need for enhanced monitoring of specific pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO₂), ozone (O₃), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and PM2.5, while strengthening regional collaborations to align EANET’s objectives with international air quality standards. These insights will serve as a foundation for shaping EANET’s future strategies and objectives.

In conclusion, the SAC24 underscored EANET’s commitment to enhancing scientific collaboration across East Asia. The discussions and decisions during this session laid the groundwork for furthering EANET’s mission in air quality management and pollution control. Looking ahead, EANET’s focus on expanding its monitoring capabilities and strategic planning will be instrumental in addressing the region’s growing environmental challenges.

Recommendations from the SAC24 will be further considered in November 2024 by the 26th session of the Intergovernmental meeting (IG26) on the EANET, to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Read the SAC24’s Report of the Session.

View the meeting photos on Flickr.

EANET’s 25th Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting: Key Outcomes and Discussions

Posted on 2024/10/032024/10/04 by Aurélia Lemoine

3 October 2024 – Bangkok, Thailand

The 25th Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting of the EANET took place on August 28-29, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand, hosted by the Network Center for EANET. The meeting brought together 30 Senior Technical Managers from the 13 Participating Countries to review the progress of the Data Report 2023 and the 2023 Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project, and discuss National Monitoring Plans in 2024, as well as future directions for air quality monitoring.

Progress Updates and Data Review

The meeting began with opening remarks from the Network Center and the Secretariat for the EANET. A report on the progress of EANET since the last Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting (STM) was presented, covering advancements in various monitoring areas, including wet and dry deposition, soil, vegetation, and aquatic environments.

Following this, attendees reviewed the preliminary draft Data Report 2023, which details findings on environmental conditions across different matrices. The evaluation of the 2023 Inter-laboratory Comparison (ILC) Project was also discussed, focusing on wet and dry deposition, soil, and inland aquatic environments.

National Monitoring Plans and Future Directions

The meeting also focused on presentations related to National Monitoring Plans and current monitoring activities of the Participating Countries. Each country shared updates on air concentration monitoring and technical challenges, including equipment issues and the need for continued maintenance support.

Discussions covered future developments in EANET’s monitoring and analysis activities, with an emphasis on expanding the monitoring network and integrating cost-effective, hybrid air quality monitoring systems. Participants also addressed the potential for capacity-building efforts related to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen management.

Key Trends and Findings

The Data Report 2023 revealed decreasing levels of sulfate (SO4²⁻) and nitrate (NO3⁻) across many monitoring sites, signaling a positive recovery from acid deposition in the region. However, ongoing monitoring is essential to confirm these trends. The meeting emphasized the importance of data sharing, timely submissions, and continuous QA/QC of data.

The STM meeting concluded with a summary of National Monitoring Plans by the Network Center, highlighting the progress made and identifying areas for future development. Dr. Meng Fan, Deputy Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), praised the Participating Countries for their continuous efforts and contributions to improving the EANET data quality. He called for ongoing collaboration to strengthen EANET’s role in combating acid deposition and air pollution in East Asia.

Find out more about EANET data.

The 23rd Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting on the EANET

Posted on 2023/10/192023/10/23 by Aurélia Lemoine

19 October 2023 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) held its Twenty-third Session of the SAC (SAC23) Meeting from 10-12 October 2023, to discuss the progress of acid deposition and air pollution monitoring activities since 2022.

Opening Session

Over 50 members of the SAC and/or their representatives from the Participating Countries, the Network Center, and the Secretariat for the EANET, joined the virtual meeting.

The SAC23 started with Opening Remarks from Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator of the Secretariat for the EANET. He emphasized the significance of multilateralism in tackling environmental challenges and highlighted the upcoming 2024 UN Environment Assembly which will focus on climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. He welcomed the commitment of EANET countries to address acid deposition and air pollution through partnerships and initiatives.

Welcome Remarks were delivered by Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), the Network Center for the EANET. Dr. Hatakeyama highlighted the importance of the activities conducted by researchers in the past year in the EANET, including the annual Data Report preparation, QA/QC activities, training, and joint research projects. He also emphasized the success of EANET’s capacity-building efforts and highlighted important agenda items for discussion during the session.

*Screenshot from some of the SAC23 meeting participants.*

Reporting on the Acid Deposition Monitoring data in 2022

Scientists from the Network Center for the EANET presented the results from activities of acid deposition monitoring, based on data provided by the EANET Participating Countries and retrieved from their national monitoring sites for 2022. These included wet, dry, soil and vegetation monitoring from all Participating Countries, as well as catchment-scale monitoring in Japan and the Philippines. The Draft EANET Data Report 2022 and the Draft Report on the Inter-laboratory Comparison Projects in 2022 were both presented and adopted at the Session.

The Network Center also presented an overview of the National Monitoring Plans of the Participating Countries for 2023, based on the submissions made during the recent Twenty-fourth Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting (STM24) on the EANET.

Discussing administrative issues supporting EANET’s further development

Finally, the SAC23 members were also invited to comment, from the scientific viewpoint, on other important documents including, the Draft EANET Progress and Financial Reports, the Work Programme and Budget for 2024, the Draft Mid-Term Review of the EANET MTP, the proposed revision of the EANET’s Administrative and Project Guidelines, and the EANET Project Plans submitted for 2024, before approval at the IG25 of EANET, to be held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, in November 2023.

Access EANET Data, read the Report of SAC23, and view the online meeting’s photos on Flickr.

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