Tag: Monitoring sites

Advancing Atmospheric and Environmental Monitoring in Asia: Technical Missions Supporting EANET Countries in 2023 and 2024

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

Bangkok, 20 February 2024

The Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), as the Network Center (NC) for the EANET, has undertaken a series of technical missions aimed at supporting EANET Participating Countries to conduct their monitoring activities, e.g. Wet and Dry Deposition of atmospheric pollutants, inland, soil & vegetation and catchment monitoring, and meteorological data. From Mongolia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Cambodia, these missions have sought to enhance environmental monitoring capabilities and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders.

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Enhancing Monitoring Infrastructures in Mongolia

In Mongolia, the technical mission took place from 12th to 19th November 2023 in Ulaanbaatar and focused on updating monitoring site information and providing advanced technical guidance on the analysis of ion chromatography results. Additionally, a new rain sensor was deployed to enhance data accuracy. Meetings with the National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring (NAMEM), the Central Laboratory of Environment and Meteorology (CLEM), the German-Mongolia Institute for Resources and Technology (GMIT), and the National University of Mongolia took place and aimed at deepening the understanding of EANET activities, particularly in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) monitoring. Successful training sessions on VOCs monitoring, utilizing the sorbent tubes method, were conducted to reinforce local capacities.

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Technical Knowledge Exchange in Indonesia

The technical mission in Indonesia took place from 11th to 16th December 2023 in Jakarta and Bandung, in partnership with the Secretariat for the EANET. It involved collaboration with laboratories affiliated with EANET activities. Visits were made to key institutions such as the Ministry of the Environment and Forestry, PSILKH Serpong, BMKG Jakarta, and BRIN Bandung, where technical guidance was provided, and feedback was collected. Discussions revolved around potential institutional arrangements to strengthen EANET implementation in Indonesia, promoting improved coordination and efficiency in environmental monitoring. During the mission, the NC representatives also met with the ASEAN Secretariat to discuss possible collaboration opportunities.

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Pictures from the technical missions in Cambodia, Mongolia, and Lao PDR (Indonesia: see cover image above).
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Strengthening Monitoring Infrastructures in Lao PDR

In Lao PDR, the technical mission took place in Vientiane, from the 11th to 15th December 2023. A visit was made to the Natural Resources and Environment Research Institute (NRERI), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE). It included a comprehensive assessment of monitoring infrastructures and procedures. Maintenance work was undertaken on monitoring equipment, including the Wet-Only sampler and Filter Pack, to ensure precise data collection. Technical guidance was shared on inspection procedures and analytical methodologies, particularly focusing on ion chromatography. Additionally, knowledge exchange through meetings and discussions on EANET activities facilitated enhanced collaboration among stakeholders.

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Sustaining Environmental Monitoring Efforts in Cambodia

The mission in Cambodia took place in Phnom Penh, from the 8th to the 12th of January 2024. It focused on sustaining continuous monitoring efforts for various pollutants. A visit was made to the Ministry of Environment, Cambodia, to provide maintenance and calibration of the ozone monitor, which was installed in 2019 through the IBAQ Programme, alongside training sessions to ensure effective ozone data reporting. Technical assistance was extended for repairing sampling systems and optimizing ion chromatography procedures, thereby strengthening the country’s capacity for environmental monitoring.

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The NC for the EANET’s technical missions across Mongolia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Cambodia have aimed at enhancing environmental monitoring capabilities and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. By providing specialized technical expertise and facilitating knowledge exchange, these missions significantly contribute to assisting Participating Countries’ efforts to provide high-quality air quality monitoring data and improve technical capabilities in the Region. The NC will conduct more technical missions in 2024 to support other EANET Participating Countries.

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Find out more about the EANET monitoring sites and download EANET data.

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.

The Twenty-fourth Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting on the EANET

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

5 September 2023 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Twenty-fourth Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting (STM24) on the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) took place in Niigata, Japan and online, on 29 and 30 August 2023. The Meeting gathered over 40 senior technical officials from the 13 EANET Participating Countries to discuss the status of the Network’s monitoring activities.

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EANET Monitoring Activities in 2022

Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, the Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), delivered the Opening Remarks, followed by Welcome Remarks by Mr. Bert Fabian, the Coordinator of the Secretariat for the EANET.

After presenting the progress of EANET activities in 2022 since STM23, the Network Center for the EANET (NC) shared the results of various reports on acid deposition and related substances monitoring activities. STM24 participants were invited to discuss and share knowledge and experience to collectively review these draft publications.

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Some Participants of the STM24 in Niigata, Japan

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Overview of the Preliminary Draft Data Report 2022 and Evaluation of the Results of the Inter-laboratory Comparison (ILC) Projects 2022

The NC presented the Preliminary Draft Data Report 2022. This report focuses on wet deposition, dry deposition (air concentration), soil and vegetation, inland aquatic environment, and catchment-scale monitoring. It includes a summary of the monitoring data in 2022 and related information submitted by the Participating Countries.

The NC also introduced the preliminary draft Report on the Inter-laboratory Comparison Projects in 2022 for wet deposition, dry deposition (filter pack method), soil, and inland aquatic environment.

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Consideration of the National Monitoring Plans (NMPs), Current Monitoring Activities for the EANET, and Overall Air Concentration Monitoring Status of the Participating Countries

In line with previous STM meetings’ process, representatives of the Participating Countries presented their National Monitoring Plans (NMPs) and current EANET activities, including monitoring capacities, technical challenges, and future plans, while focusing on the general improvement of the activities of the EANET.

Dr. Meng Fan, Deputy Director General, ACAP, delivered the Closing Remarks. He expressed his great appreciation for the improvement of the data quality due to the efforts of the Participating Countries and hoped that the EANET monitoring, research, and capacity-building activities would continue to be strengthened through the expansion of the scope of the EANET.

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The Report of the STM24 will soon be available on the Meeting Reports page. View the STM24 photos on Flickr.

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Find out more, and access EANET data on the Monitoring System page.

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Photo credits: cover photo of Japanese rice farm by S. Tsuchiya (2022), other images, all rights reserved to EANET.

Workshop on National Air Quality Monitoring Systems and Methodologies with Related Partners

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

27 July 2022 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Network Center for the EANET organized the Workshop on National Air Quality Monitoring Systems and Methodologies with Related Partners online on 6 July 2022. It gathered scientists and researchers, government officers, technicians including Quality Assurance/Quality Control managers, and representatives of international organizations who discussed how to improve the EANET monitoring system. 180 participants from 17 different countries and regions joined the Workshop.

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Opening Session

Moderated by Ms. Yao Dong, Assistant Deputy Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) in charge of the Network Center (NC) for the EANET, the Workshop started with Opening and Welcome Remarks by Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General of ACAP in charge of the NC for the EANET and followed by Mr. Toshiyuki Yamasaki, Director of the International Cooperation Office, Environmental Management Bureau, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan.

Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama and Mr. Toshiyuki Yamasaki delivered the opening remarks.

Remarks emphasized the introduction of new monitoring substances such as (but not only) ammonia, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds, following the expansion of the scope of the EANET as decided by the IG23, and the need to adapt EANET’s monitoring system accordingly. The new EANET Project Fund mechanism, allowing the EANET and other organizations to collaborate on acid deposition and air-quality related projects, was also introduced.

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Lectures and panel discussion

Among its key activities, the EANET is currently monitoring atmospheric substances at 64 monitoring sites in the EANET Participating Countries. The monitoring focuses on five items – wet deposition, dry deposition (air concentration), soil and vegetation, inland aquatic environment, and catchment-scale monitoring.

The Workshop on National Air Quality Monitoring Systems and Methodologies with Related Partners was funded by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, and implemented by the Network Center for the EANET. Its goal was to share a wide range of national and international experiences in the field of atmospheric monitoring while discussing the current development and future challenge of monitoring systems and related methodologies in the EANET region.

Panelists during the discussion sessions.

The first session introduced the EANET monitoring activities and was followed by case studies from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and China. In addition, specific monitoring methodologies including QA/QC activities were also introduced.

Dr. Meng Fan delivered the closing remarks.

In the second session, a panel discussion, followed by an open discussion, took place to exchange ideas on specific country challenges and discuss how to link EANET’s work with urban monitoring. Members of the EANET Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and from other organizations, such as Clean Air Asia, joined the discussion.

Closing remarks were provided by Dr. Fan Meng, Deputy Director General of ACAP in charge of the NC for the EANET, who summarized the highlights of the Workshop and thanked all speakers and participants for their active contribution. Among the key outcomes of the Workshop, Dr. Meng emphasized the question of linking EANET’s work with city-level monitoring and the challenge to measure volatile organic compounds and secondary pollutants.

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Useful Resources
  • View the full recording of the Workshop on the EANET Secretariat’s Youtube channel
  • Download the Workshop’s Program
  • View the Workshop’s photos on Flickr
  • Download the Workshop’s presentations:

–Development and role of monitoring system in EANET and the case study of Japan

–Latest National and Local/City Monitoring System in the Republic of Korea

–Study on the Co-control of PM2.5 and Ozone Pollution in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and Surrounding Region of China

–Monitoring methodologies and QA/QC activities in the EANET

-Introduction to EANET Project Fund and Project Activities 2022-2023

  • Find out more on the topic of the nitrogen cycle, touched upon during the panel discussion, by reading Prof. Akimoto’s et al. related research papers:

–Review of Comprehensive Measurements of Speciated NOy and its Chemistry: Need for Quantifying the Role of Heterogeneous Processes of HNO3 and HONO (2020)

–Rethinking of the adverse effects of NOx-control on the reduction of methane and tropospheric ozone – Challenges toward a denitrified society (2022)

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Photo credits: All rights reserved to EANET.

EANET Seminar on Expanding Monitoring Systems using LCS

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

23 August 2022 – Niigata, Japan

The Network Center for the EANET organized the Seminar on Expanding Monitoring Systems using Low-Cost Sensor (LCS) online on 21 July 2022. It gathered representatives, experts, and practitioners of air quality monitoring from the EANET Participating Countries, and other participants from international organizations, academia, and monitoring-related service providers. 127 participants joined the Seminar.

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Opening Session

The Seminar started with the Opening and Welcome Remarks by Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) in charge of the NC for the EANET, and by Dr. Mushtaq Memon, Regional Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Remarks were followed by an Introductory Presentation by Mr. Taku Ohmura from the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center, Japan (OECC) on the Overview of issues and opportunities of using LCS for air quality administrations and surveys.

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Understanding Challenges and Opportunities of LCS

Key presentations by Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana, a Senior Instructor of the Faculty of Public Health, at Thammasat University, Thailand, and by Dr. Alison Simcox from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), delved into the limitations and opportunities of Low-cost sensor technology (LCS) for measuring air quality in the contexts of Thailand and of the United States.

Dr. Keiichi SATO, Head of the Atmospheric Research Department at ACAP, in charge of the NC for the EANET, then introduced the results of a survey on a Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN) and related technical studies in five EANET countries, namely Japan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

His presentation was followed by discussions and presentations by Ms. Karma Yangzom, a Principal Environment Specialist from the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), on ADB’s experience with LCS as part of the Technical Assistance (TA) 9608 on “Strengthening Knowledge and Actions for Air Quality Improvement”, and by Ms. Maria-Katharina Patdu’s presentation, an Associate Programme Officer, from the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP), at UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, on air quality data challenges and opportunities in developing Asia.

While the lack of precision of LCS and the variety of qualities and standards of sensors, may lead to data misinterpretation and presentation issues, keynote speakers and panelists mentioned that the cost-efficiency of LCS and the wide use of these air quality sensors by “citizen-scientists” educate the public and inspire behavioral changes. In addition, the effective utilization of regular monitoring data for the quality control of LCS, the importance of consistent city, regional, and country-level monitoring, and the continued cooperation with other networks and international organizations, were also key points presented to mitigate the limitations of LCS.

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Download the Workshop’s Presentations

–Issues of LCS and Efforts Against the Issues: Thailand’s Experiences (presented by Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana)

–US-EPA’s efforts on wise use of LCS (presented by Dr. Alison Simcox)

–Results of the survey on HAQMN and technical studies in some EANET Participating Countries (presented by Dr. Keiichi Sato)

–Experience in using Low-Cost Sensors under ADB TA 9608 (presented by Ms. Karma Yangzom)

–Air quality data challenges and opportunities in developing Asia (presented by Ms. Maria Katherina Patdu)

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

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Photo credits: All rights reserved to EANET.

The Network Center for the EANET releases the Data Report 2023

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

20 February 2025 – Niigata, Japan

(This post has been updated from the original post, published on 11 March 2024).

Composed of data collected in 2023, comprising acid deposition and air pollution monitoring data endorsed by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) end of 2024, the “Data Report 2023” and the “Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project 2023” have been uploaded in open access on the EANET website.

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What is EANET data?
Figure 1 – Location of acid deposition monitoring sites in 2019 (access the most recent sites’ information on the EANET Site Information page)

In the context of the resolution on promoting regional cooperation on air pollution to improve air quality globally, adopted in UNEA-6 in March 2024, the importance of referring to high-quality data for air quality management has never been greater.

Covering, in 2024, the area of 13 countries, from Irkutsk (Russia) in the North to Lombok (Indonesia) in the South, Ochiishi (Japan) in the East, and Mandalay (Myanmar) in the West, the EANET’s total surface is extremely wide and diverse.

Since 1998 (during the preparatory phase activities of the Network), the EANET has deployed monitoring stations in urban, rural, and remote locations to monitor acid deposition and air pollution (in 2021, the EANET countries adopted an Annex defining monitored atmospheric environment-related substances). These monitoring sites gather high-quality data related to the deposition of major acidifying species and related chemical substances such as sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3–), hydrogen (H+) in precipitation, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM) in ambient air.

Monitoring data are used to evaluate the state of acid deposition and air pollution as well as their impacts on ecosystems. Data on the atmospheric wet deposition of acidic components and other relevant pollutants have for example been used to understand the impacts of pollution on forest ecosystems, such as for the study led by EANET scientists in the dry evergreen forest of Sakaerat, in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, in northeastern Thailand.

Monitoring activities carried out in 2023 are presented in the Data Report 2023 (published in December 2024) and available in open access online.

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High-quality Data

Over the years, EANET scientists and monitoring officers have improved the collective knowledge and skills of the Network, among others on the quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) of the data.

The Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project is conducted each year among the EANET analytical laboratories, based on the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) programs of the Network. The objectives of this project are to recognize the analytical precision and accuracy of the measurement in each participating laboratory, to give further opportunities to improve the quality of the analysis and to improve the reliability of analytical data through the assessment of suitable analytical methods and techniques.

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Why download EANET data?

EANET data is available for non-commercial use for scientists, researchers, students, mobile app developers, etc… and anyone who wishes to understand the state of acid deposition and air pollution in East Asia over the last two decades.

By widely sharing data, EANET aims to improve global knowledge on acid deposition and air pollution, as well as provide collaboration opportunities to improve public health and ecosystems’ restoration.

.

How to access EANET Data?

The “Data Report 2023” and the “Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project 2023” are available in open access online, for non-commercial use only.

Users may also access customized data, such as hourly, weekly, and bi-weekly data on wet and dry deposition monitoring, by registering on the monitoring portal.

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Download the “Data Report 2023” and the “Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project 2023”

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Photo credits: Monitoring sites map: all rights reserved to EANET; cover photo: Cloud fall in Japan by S. Tsuchiya, (2023), free of copyrights.

The Network Center for the EANET releases the Data Report 2022

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

Data Report

11 March 2024 – Niigata, Japan

(This post has been updated from the original post, published on 21 February 2023).

Composed of data collected in 2022, comprising acid deposition and air pollution monitoring data endorsed by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) end of 2023, the “Data Report 2022” and the “Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project 2022” have been uploaded in open access on the EANET website.

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What is EANET data?
Figure 1 – Location of acid deposition monitoring sites in 2019 (access the most recent sites’ information on the EANET Site Information page)

In the context of the resolution on promoting regional cooperation on air pollution to improve air quality globally, adopted in UNEA-6 in March 2024, the importance of referring to high-quality data for air quality management has never been greater.

Covering, in 2024, the area of 13 countries, from Irkutsk (Russia) in the North to Lombok (Indonesia) in the South, Ochiishi (Japan) in the East, and Mandalay (Myanmar) in the West, the EANET’s total surface is extremely wide and diverse.

Since 1998 (during the preparatory phase activities of the Network), the EANET has deployed monitoring stations in urban, rural, and remote locations to monitor acid deposition and air pollution (in 2021, the EANET countries adopted an Annex defining monitored atmospheric environment-related substances). These monitoring sites gather high-quality data related to the deposition of major acidifying species and related chemical substances such as sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3–), hydrogen (H+) in precipitation, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM) in ambient air.

Monitoring data are used to evaluate the state of acid deposition and air pollution as well as their impacts on ecosystems. Data on the atmospheric wet deposition of acidic components and other relevant pollutants have for example been used to understand the impacts of pollution on forest ecosystems, such as for the study led by EANET scientists in the dry evergreen forest of Sakaerat, in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, in northeastern Thailand.

Monitoring activities carried out in 2021 are presented in the Data Report 2022 (published in December 2023) and available in open access online.

.

High-quality Data

Over the years, EANET scientists and monitoring officers have improved the collective knowledge and skills of the Network, among others on the quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) of the data.

The Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project is conducted each year among the EANET analytical laboratories, based on the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) programs of the Network. The objectives of this project are to recognize the analytical precision and accuracy of the measurement in each participating laboratory, to give further opportunities to improve the quality of the analysis, and to improve the reliability of analytical data through the assessment of suitable analytical methods and techniques.

.

Why download EANET data?

EANET data is available for non-commercial use for scientists, researchers, students, mobile app developers, etc… and anyone who wishes to understand the state of acid deposition and air pollution in East Asia over the last two decades.

By widely sharing data, EANET aims to improve the global knowledge on acid deposition, as well as to provide collaboration opportunities to improve public health and ecosystems’ restoration.

.

How to access EANET Data?

The “Data Report 2022” and the “Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project 2022” are available in open access online, for non-commercial use only.

Users may also access customized data, such as hourly, weekly, and bi-weekly data on wet and dry deposition monitoring, by registering on the monitoring portal.

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Download the “Data Report 2022” and the “Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project 2022”

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Photo credits: Monitoring sites map: all rights reserved to EANET; cover photo: lake during golden hour by Hendra Yudha Pratama, (2018), free of copyrights.

The Network Center for the EANET releases the Data Report 2021

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

21 February 2023 – Niigata, Japan

(This post has been updated from the original post, published on 25 March 2022).

Composed of acid deposition monitoring data gathered in 2021 and endorsed by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) in 2022, the “Data Report 2021” and the “Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project 2021” have been uploaded in open access on EANET website.

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What are EANET data?
Figure 1 – Location of acid deposition monitoring sites in 2019 (access the most recent sites’ information on the EANET Site Information page)

In the context of the recent adoption in March 2022 by governments at UNEA-5.2 of a key resolution supporting the establishment of a comprehensive science policy panel on the sound management of chemicals and waste and preventing pollution, the importance of referring to high-quality data has never been greater.

Covering in 2022 the area of 13 countries, from Irkutsk (Russia) in the North to Lombok (Indonesia) in the South, Ochiishi (Japan) in the East, and Mandalay (Myanmar) in the West, the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET)’s total surface is extremely wide and diverse.

Since 1998 (during the preparatory phase activities of the Network), the EANET has deployed monitoring stations in urban, rural, and remote locations to monitor acid deposition. These monitoring sites gather high-quality data related to the deposition of major acidifying species and related chemical substances such as sulfate (SO₄²⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), hydrogen (H+) in precipitation, sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and particulate matter (PM) in ambient air.

Monitoring data are used to evaluate the state of acid deposition as well as impacts on ecosystems. Data on the atmospheric wet deposition of acidic components and other relevant pollutants have for example been used to understand the impacts of pollution on forest ecosystems, such as for the study led by EANET scientists in the dry evergreen forest of Sakaerat, in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, in northeastern Thailand.

Monitoring activities carried out in 2021 are presented in the Data Report 2021 (published in December 2022) and available in open access online.

.

High-quality Data

Over the years, EANET scientists and monitoring officers have improved the collective knowledge and skills of the Network, among others on the quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) of the data.

The Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project is conducted each year among the EANET analytical laboratories, based on the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) programs of the Network. The objectives of this project are to recognize the analytical precision and accuracy of the measurement in each participating laboratory, to give further opportunities to improve the quality of the analysis, and to improve the reliability of analytical data through the assessment of suitable analytical methods and techniques.

.

Why download EANET data?

EANET data is available for non-commercial use for scientists, researchers, students, mobile app developers, etc… and anyone who wishes to understand the state of acid deposition and air pollution in East Asia over the last two decades.

By widely sharing data, EANET aims at improving the global knowledge on acid deposition, as well as providing collaboration opportunities to improve public health and ecosystems’ restoration.

.

How to access EANET Data?

The “Data Report 2021” and the “Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project 2021” are available in open access online, for non-commercial use only.

Users may also access customized data, such as hourly, weekly, and bi-weekly data on wet and dry deposition monitoring, by registering on the monitoring portal.

.

Download the “Data Report 2021” and the “Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project 2021”

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Photo credits: Monitoring sites map: all rights reserved to EANET; cover photo: Cloud fall in Japan by S. Tsuchiya, (2023), free of copyrights.

The 22nd Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting on the EANET

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

25 October 2022 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) held its Twenty-second Session of the SAC (SAC22) Meeting from 18-20 October 2022, to discuss the progress of acid deposition monitoring activities since 2021.

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Reporting on Acid Deposition Monitoring in 2021

Over 50 members of the SAC and/or their representatives from the Participating Countries of the EANET joined the virtual meeting. The SAC22 started with Opening Remarks from Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator, Secretariat for the EANET, and by Welcome Remarks from Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP).

Scientists from the NC 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 2021.

The Draft EANET Data Report 2021 was presented to the Session, showcasing different results and trends. In addition, the Draft Report on the Inter-laboratory Comparison (ILC) Projects 2021 was also introduced, and it showed that most samples submitted by the participating laboratories met the Data Quality Objective (DQO) of EANET.

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Discussing EANET’s Future Activities

The NC presented an overview of the National Monitoring Plans of the Participating Countries for 2022, based on the submissions made during the recent Twenty-third Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting (STM23) on the EANET.

The SAC22 members were also invited to share their comments, from the scientific viewpoints, on the proposed Project Plans for 2023 to be funded by the newly introduced EANET Project Fund, and before approval at the IG24 of EANET, in November 2022.

Finally, the Network Center shared the program of the EANET Emission Inventory Webinar Workshop on Open Biomass Burning that will take place on 5 December 2022, the EANET Workshop on the Relationship between the Atmospheric Environment, Human Health and Ecosystems on 31 October 2022, and the 13th International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia, on 22-23 December 2022.

The Network Center also presented the Acid Rain 2020 event, organized by ACAP, which will take place in April 2023, and reminded the abstracts’ submission date is extended to 31 October 2022.

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EANET Data Reports can be accessed on EANET’s website and 2021 data will be available soon.

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Read the Report of SAC22 here and view the photos on Flickr.

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Photo credits: All rights reserved to EANET.

The Twenty-third Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting on the EANET

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

Niigata, 29 September 2022

The Twenty-third Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting (STM23) on the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) was held online on 28 and 29 September 2022. The Meeting gathered over 40 senior technical officials from the 13 EANET Participating Countries to discuss the status of the Network’s monitoring activities.

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EANET Monitoring Activities in 2021

Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), delivered the Opening Remarks, followed by Welcome Remarks by Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator, Secretariat for the EANET.

After presenting the progress of EANET activities in 2021 since STM22, the Network Center for the EANET (NC) shared the results of various reports on acid deposition and related substances monitoring activities. STM23 participants were invited to discuss and share knowledge and experience to collectively review these draft publications.

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Participants of the STM23 meeting

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Overview of the Preliminary Draft Data Report 2020 and Evaluation of the Results of the Inter-laboratory Comparison (ILC) Projects 2020

The NC presented the Preliminary Draft Data Report 2021. This report focuses on wet deposition, dry deposition (air concentration), soil and vegetation, inland aquatic environment, and catchment-scale monitoring. It includes a summary of the monitoring data in 2021 and related information submitted by the Participating Countries.

The NC also introduced the preliminary draft Report on the Inter-laboratory Comparison Projects in 2021 for wet deposition, dry deposition (filter pack method), soil, and inland aquatic environment.

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Consideration of the National Monitoring Plans (NMPs), Current Monitoring Activities for the EANET and Overall Air Concentration Monitoring Status of the Participating Countries

In line with previous STM meetings’ process, representatives of the Participating Countries presented their National Monitoring Plans (NMPs) and current EANET activities, including monitoring capacities, technical challenges, and future plans, while focusing on the general improvement of the activities of the EANET.

Other important matters were also discussed, including the progress on the Revision of the Technical Manuals for Dry Deposition Flux Estimation and Air Concentration Monitoring.

Dr. Meng Fan, Deputy Director General, ACAP, delivered the Closing Remarks. He expressed his great appreciation for the improvement of the data quality due to the efforts of the Participating Countries and hoped that the EANET monitoring, research and capacity-building activities would continue to be strengthened through the expansion of the scope of the EANET.

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Find out more and access EANET monitoring data.

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Photo credits: cover photo by Anna Sushok (2020), other images, all rights reserved to EANET.

New Face of EANET Research Portal

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

29 September 2021 – Niigata, Japan

EANET researchers have been working collaboratively for 20 years to study mechanisms of acid deposition and its effects on ecosystems, resulting in various scientific publications. These aim at creating a common understanding of the state of acid deposition problems in East Asia, and to provide useful inputs for decision-making at the local, national, and regional levels. Recently, an updated version of the EANET Research Portal has been released, displaying detailed information on EANET research activities.

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20 Years of Research Activities

Why is research a central component of EANET’s activities? Since the early 2000s, collaboration on data monitoring and research has significantly improved knowledge on environmental urgencies in the region. With monitoring sites deployed in 13 countries in East Asia, scientists and researchers have access to unique data on acid deposition and air pollution.

In the decision-making process, policymakers need scientific-based evidence to guide their choices. They often use scientific results to evaluate the benefits of environmental policies and to shape government programs.

Over the years, EANET’s ability to bring together diverse players such as scientists, researchers, students, young professionals, and policymakers has made it a unique knowledge-sharing platform.

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Sharing Scientific Outputs and Fostering Collaboration Globally

The EANET Research Portal was created to promote research activities developed in the EANET community and to enhance the use of the EANET data by the scientific community globally.

The main objectives of this page are to introduce research activities conducted by the EANET community, share scientific outputs from the EANET research activities, demonstrate the importance of the EANET data for scientific research activities, and provide opportunities for joint research activities with the EANET community.

More specifically, users can access scientific articles produced by the EANET Community, Reports of the EANET Fellowships, EANET Science Bulletins, and a database of research articles using and/or mentioning EANET data.

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How Can Researchers Contribute to the Portal?

To expand the reach of this portal, Participating Countries are invited to share this page with their scientific peers at a national level, to link this page to their websites, and help improve its content by informing the EANET Network Center on any important paper using EANET data that might be missing from the database.

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Access the EANET Research Portal

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Interested in collaborating on a joint research project or on using EANET data? Contact the Network Center to find out more.

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