Tag: Network Center

Experts from the Network Center for the EANET receive the Academic Award of the Japan Society for Atmospheric Environment for two Years in a row

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

29 September 2022 – Niigata, Japan

Dr. Tsuyoshi Ohizumi and Dr. Hiroyuki Sase received the Academic Award of the Japan Society for Atmospheric Environment (JSAE) at the 62nd and 63rd Annual Meetings of the JSAE in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Dr. Ohizumi serves as the Head of Data Management Department of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), Network Center (NC) for the EANET, and Dr. Sase as the Head of Ecological Impact Research Department of the ACAP, NC for the EANET. Prior to these two awards, Dr. Junichi Kurokawa, Principal Researcher of the Data Management Department of ACAP, received the Creative Work Award for Young Scientists of JSAE under the award-winning title of “A study on emission inventory in Asia” in 2013.

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Award-Winning Studies on Effects of Acid Deposition in Japan and in the East Asian Region
Dr. Tsuyoshi Ohizumi

Dr. Ohizumi received the Academic Award of the Japan Society for Atmospheric Environment at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the JSAE in 2021 for his studies of the transboundary transportation of air pollutants by observation of sulfur isotopic composition.

Through his work, seasonal differences and major routes of inter-regional transport of pollutants were clarified by streamline analysis of air mass that causes acid precipitation and observation of fluoride and other substances in atmospheric deposition. In addition, the long-term interregional transport of sulfur oxides, the cause of acid rain, was also quantitatively evaluated by observing stable isotope ratios of sulfur in atmospheric deposition at sites along the Sea of Japan.

Dr. Hiroyuki Sase

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In 2022, Dr. Sase received the Academic Award of the Japan Society for Atmospheric Environment at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the JSAE for his various studies on the atmospheric environment and its effects on forest ecosystems in Japan and other East Asian countries.

Through EANET activities and joint research with the Participating Countries of the EANET, his work has significantly contributed to understanding the effects of acid deposition and air pollution on forest ecosystems in the East Asian region through field observation and data assessments over many years.

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The Japan Society for Atmospheric Environment

The Japan Society for Atmospheric Environment (JSAE) is an interdisciplinary organization that brings together experts in a wide range of fields with the aim of contributing to atmospheric environment conservation.

JSAE has four awards for achievements in the field of the atmospheric environment: the Academic Award, the Meritorious Contribution Award, the Technical Development Award, and the Best Paper Award.

Dr. Ohizumi and Dr. Sase received the Academic Award, the highest honor for researchers. The purpose of the Academic Award of JSAE is to honor members for their academic achievements in the field of atmospheric environment research, their social contributions to the promotion of atmospheric quality administration, and for their contribution to the development of JSAE.

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Find out more about EANET’s research activities on the EANET Research Portal.

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Photo credits: featured photo by  Chery Lee on Unsplash, other photos: all rights reserved to the EANET.

Capacity Building in the EANET – The Individual Training 2022

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

12 January 2023 – Niigata, Japan

The EANET Individual Training in 2022 was successfully organized by the Network Center for the EANET (NC) in November and December 2022. It consisted of virtual lectures and in-person laboratory training and aimed at providing technical support and capacity building to participants from the EANET Participating Countries on acid deposition monitoring.

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Strengthening the EANET’s Monitoring Capacities

The Individual Training has been a regular activity conducted yearly by the NC in Niigata, Japan,  to improve the various monitoring skills of the representatives from the EANET Participating Countries. In 2022, due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions, the EANET Individual Training took place online. 28 government officers and researchers from 7 EANET Participating Countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Russia, and Viet Nam) completed the online course, from November 1st to 18th 2022.

This year’s session started with Opening Remarks from Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General of ACAP, followed by an introduction of the participants and of the EANET. Lectures on atmospheric deposition (including wet and dry deposition), the effects on ecosystems, and related monitoring methods, were presented. The second week of the training focused on data monitoring including automatic monitor maintenance of particulate matter and ozone monitors, data analysis, sampling methods, pretreatment, and electric conductivity and pH measurement for dry/wet samples and inorganic carbon measurement. Finally, during the last week of the training, participants learned about the EANET quality assurance and quality control activities, data reporting, and data evaluation procedures. An introduction to the Inter-Laboratory Comparison Project 2021 was also provided. The virtual lectures were followed by onsite laboratory training in Niigata, Japan, in December 2022.

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Participants during the EANET Individual Training 2022

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The Individual Training allowed participants to deepen their knowledge of acid deposition monitoring, data evaluation, and reporting, in close relation to their on-the-ground laboratory work. In addition to matters specific to the East Asian region, broader topics, including lectures on atmospheric deposition, data management, maintenance of equipment, and coordination for monitoring activities, were delivered by scientists and researchers from the NC.

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Ways Forward

The expected outcome of the EANET Individual Training was for participants from both the virtual lectures and in-person laboratory training to disseminate experience and knowledge to colleagues in their country, allowing them to actively carry on monitoring acid deposition and air pollution activities. The NC continuously provides support in this dissemination effort.

The Individual Training program is a 2022 EANET Project activity, which received support from the governments of Japan and the Philippines.

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Find out more about the EANET Individual Training through the Program of EANET Individual Training 2022 or contact the NC.

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Photo credits: featured image of Niigata, Japan (2023) by snowdrop on Unsplash, other images: all rights reserved to EANET.

Capacity Building in the EANET – The Individual Training 2022 Laboratory Session

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

19 January 2023 – Niigata, Japan

As part of the EANET Individual Training in 2022, a session in the laboratory was held by the Network Center for the EANET (NC) in December 2022. It aimed at providing practical capacity building to representatives from the EANET Participating Countries on wet and dry deposition monitoring.

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Practical Field Training

The Individual Training has been conducted as a regular activity yearly by the NC in Niigata, Japan,  to improve the various monitoring skills of the representatives from the EANET Participating Countries.

In 2022, the laboratory session of the training was held in person in Niigata, Japan, at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP). A representative from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from the Philippines completed the training.

Held from 11 to 17 December 2022, the training aimed at developing professional expertise and knowledge of wet deposition (precipitation sample) and dry deposition (4 Stage Filter Pack).

The laboratory session consisted of various technical exercises focusing on specific topics and practical outputs including pH and electric conductivity, filter pack sampling, and standard operating procedures of inorganic ions analysis. Through these exercises, laboratory work techniques were demonstrated and explained. These included maintaining a steady temperature during the measurements of pH and electric conductivity, how to clean laboratory wares, and understanding differences in the sampling when using a gas volume meter or a gas flow meter, for filter pack sampling.

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The training also included a site visit at the Niigata – Maki Station, where the trainee observed automatic rainwater samplers, sampling setups for water-insoluble and water-soluble organic carbon, and filter pack samplers for particulate matter, gases, and carbons. This activity helped familiarize him with the field equipment used for air quality monitoring. In addition to the original training program, instructors shared knowledge on black carbon analysis (sampling, analysis, and instrument operation), atmospheric microplastics analysis, and PM2.5 data processing. (Figure 4 – Checking a rainwater sampler at the Niigata – Maki Station).

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Ways Forward

The expected outcome of the laboratory session of the Individual Training is for the participant to disseminate experience and knowledge to colleagues in his country. The NC continuously provides support in this dissemination effort.

The  Individual Training program is a 2022 EANET Project activity, which received support from the governments of Japan and the Philippines.

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Find out more about the EANET Individual Training through the Program of EANET Individual Training 2022 or contact the NC.

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View the photos on Flickr.

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to the EANET.

The 13th International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

1 February 2023 – Niigata, Japan

The Network Center for the EANET co-organized the 13th International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia with the community of MICS-Asia, on 22-23 December 2022. About 60 participants joined the virtual workshop.

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Improving Air Quality Models: from Data to Policy

According to the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA), air quality modeling is “a mathematical simulation of how air pollutants disperse and react in the atmosphere to affect ambient air quality.” Through these calculations, researchers and policymakers develop predicted scenarios and design strategies to reduce the adverse effects of air pollution.

Over the years, the EANET has maintained a close relationship with the community of Model Inter-Comparison Studies for Asia (MICS-Asia). The International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia is a regular workshop of MICS-Asia which has received support from the EANET throughout the previous Medium Term Plans and was part of the EANET Project Activities in 2022. Summaries of previous MICS-Asia workshops are available in the Reports of the Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) on the EANET.

Four working groups were established as part of the MICS-Asia Phase IV: the Air Quality Model working group, the Air Quality and Climate Model working group, the Emission Inventory working group, and the Observation working group. MICS-Asia Phase IV working groups focus on specific issues including the intercomparison of air quality models, the study of the influence of climate change on the status of air quality, the development of reliable emission inventories for model working groups, and the survey and collection of data to establish trends of concentrations of air pollutants in East Asia.

Among other sources, MICS-Asia experts referred to the results of the EANET’s 4th Periodic Report on the State of Acid Deposition in East Asia (PRSAD4) and to the EANET monitoring data to conduct their research.

Screenshot from some participants during the virtual 13th International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia

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Modeling and Impact Assessment Studies

During the workshop, international experts in modeling and impact assessment studies shared various presentations based on research activities in Asia and beyond.

Dr. Christian Hogrefe, from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, introduced the Air Quality Modelling Evaluation International Initiative Phase 4 (AQMEII4) which applies detailed dry deposition diagnostics to a range of air quality models and their deposition schemes. Dr. Baozhu Ge, from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, shared a presentation on the enhanced wet deposition of nitrogen induced by a landfalling typhoon over East Asia. Dr. Natsumi Kawano, from the Center for Environmental Science, in Saitama, Japan, gave a presentation on the impact of future climate change on tropospheric ozone in Japan using the WRF-CMAQ modeling system and the RCP8.5 scenario. Dr. Syuichi Itahashi, from the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Japan, shared a presentation on the changes in transboundary aerosol components due to the emission variations in East Asia. Dr. Xiao Tang, from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, gave a presentation on high-resolution aerosol data over China simulated by the NAQPMS modeling system and an inversed emission inventory. Dr. Naoyuki Yamashita, from the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Japan, shared a presentation on the critical load of soil acidification and surface water eutrophication in the EANET Participating Countries, and Dr. Baiyao Xu, from Nanjing University, China, gave a presentation on the impacts of meteorological factors and ozone variation on crop yields in China related to the carbon neutrality objectives in 2060 and based on RegCM-Chem-YIBs.

Results from the MICS-Asia Phase IV working groups’ research activities and collaboration with international experts will allow to improve the scientific understanding of air quality issues in the region, but also provide informed knowledge for policy-making in Asia.

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Useful Resources

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Photo credits: featured photo of Dong Van, Viet Nam (2021) by Giles Freeman on Unsplash ; other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.

EANET kicks-off its first Project Fund Activity on Volatile Organic Compounds

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

16 February 2023 – Niigata, Japan

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment of Japan and with the technical support of the Network Center for the EANET, the first EANET Project Activity launched its online kick-off meeting on 15 February. It gathered over 40 participants mainly from Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand, involved in sharing or receiving technical assistance related to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) monitoring.

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Why Volatile Organic Compounds?

Since the recent expansion of the scope of the EANET from acid deposition monitoring to wider air pollution action, the Network has started to carry out activities related to additional chemical species, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

VOCs are “compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. Many VOCs are human-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacture of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants” according to the US-EPA. In addition, several emission sources such as biogenic emissions, forest fires, waste burning including plastic, automobile exhaust, fossil fuel burning, and stock farming can produce VOCs. Exposure to VOCs may have various dangerous health effects from eyes, throat, and nose irritation to more serious conditions such as liver, kidney, or central nervous system damage, sometimes leading to cancer.

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Representation of PM2.5 and Ozone Co-contrail, by Prof. Hajime Akimoto (all rights reserved).

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VOCs are also precursors of particulate matter and ozone. It is important to measure VOCs to better understand how to mitigate air pollutants emissions.

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Learning more about VOCs emissions in East Asia

VOCs monitoring is complex due to its complicated source characteristics and costly measuring technology. For this reason, its monitoring is still at an early stage in Asia.

The “Feasibility for Promoting VOCs related Capacity Building in the EANET” project is part of the first batch of EANET Projects funded by the EANET Project Fund. Supported by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, the project is coordinated by the Network Center for the EANET.

Through this project, experts in VOCs from the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama (CESS), in Japan will share their knowledge and assist the government officials from Mongolia and from the Philippines to develop their 3-year national implementation plan. During the kick-off meeting, Government representatives from the Philippines and Mongolia shared their plans and priorities for tackling VOCs.

Screenshot from participants during the kick-off meeting

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In addition, a VOC Advisory Group composed of experts from the NC and EANET countries has been brought together and will also give guidance on feasible measurement methods, data analysis, identification of the target species to measure VOCs, and feasible reduction measures.

At this stage, the implementation partners are environmentalists from Mongolia and from the Philippines. However, the project’s goal is to serve all the EANET countries and be further replicated.

The next meeting will take place in person in Manila in May 2023 to continue discussions on the feasibility and methodology of VOCs management.

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Interested in finding out more about the EANET Project Fund? Read more on how to fund or submit an EANET Project.

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Photo credits: featured photo by Anton Eprev on Unsplash (2019); other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.

EANET 2021 Individual Training and Research Fellowship – Call for Applications

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

30 April 2021 – Niigata, Japan

Among EANET’s main activities, the promotion of research and studies related to acid deposition and air pollution problems is key. In 2021, the Network Center, based in Niigata, Japan, will host the EANET 2021 Individual Training and Fellowship, virtually.

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EANET 2021 Individual Training Webinars

From 4 to 19 November 2021, the Network Center (NC) will hold Individual Training webinars to improve acid deposition monitoring capabilities in the Participating Countries.

National Focal Points (NFPs) from EANET Participating Countries will nominate suitable candidate trainees. The selected trainees are expected to present their organization, attend discussions on the different training subjects and prepare a final presentation gathering the training’s results. All meetings will take place via an online platform due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Observers from EANET Participating Countries are also invited to attend the Individual Training and may get in touch with the NC to register for the webinars.

To complete the application, NFPs must submit the Individual Training application form before 16th July 2021 (the deadline, previously set to the 30th June, has been extended) and send it to the Planning and Training Department of the NC.

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Access the program of the 2021 Individual Training.

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EANET 2021 Research Fellowship

The annual research fellowship program of the Network Center has been implemented since 2005. Young researchers from the EANET Participating Countries are invited every year for approximately two months at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) in Niigata, Japan, to carry out the fellowship research related to the objectives of EANET and develop their research papers. This year, the program will be implemented using an online platform due to COVID-19 restrictions.

EANET NFPs, SAC members, Heads of National Centers, and QA/QC Managers are invited to inform their national agencies and/or research institutes of this opportunity and encourage younger and promising researchers working in the field of air pollution, co-benefits, etc. to apply for this program.

To complete the application, NFPs must submit the Fellowship application form to the Planning and Training Department of the NC before 16th July 2021 (the deadline, previously set to the 30th June, has been extended).

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See here the List of Potential Research Themes.

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Photo credits: Plants in beakers by CHUTTERSNAP, free of the copyright license.