6 February 2025 – Niigata, Japan

The Technical and Training (TNT) program of the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Republic of Korea, and the EANET Capacity Building Program have been collaborating since 2023 to provide training on acid deposition and air quality management for the EANET Participating Countries. The second session of the program was held in Japan and the Republic of Korea in September and October 2024, offering training to four government representatives from the EANET Participating Countries.

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NIER’s TNT and EANET’s Capacity Building Program Session 2 in September-October 2024

In 2024, the program was structured into two sessions, each comprising two parts, alternating between the Republic of Korea and Japan. The second session started in Japan from September 30 to October 4, 2024, followed by the Republic of Korea from October 7 to October 18, 2024. Four government officials and researchers from four EANET Participating Countries (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Viet Nam) were selected to participate in this training, based on their professional backgrounds, technical expertise in monitoring activities, and motivation.

From late September to early October in Japan, at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research  (ACAP) in Niigata, EANET’s Network Center, participants attended lectures covering a wide array of atmospheric environmental issues. The trainees also learned about the mechanisms and processes of atmospheric deposition, including wet and dry deposition, QA/QC activity, calculation of the deposition flux and so on.  Furthermore, participants learned about the monitoring equipment and how the data contribute to the air quality assessments. In the hands-on training, they learned the procedures for assembling filter packs to ensure accurate sampling, EC/pH analysis for rain samples, and the process of analysis using ion chromatography for the rain and filter pack samples including preparing standards solutions. By using ion chromatography, participants learned basic troubleshooting skills to avoid issues while handling and conducting analyses. Finally, participants visited the monitoring site in Niigata city, stationed in the Niigata prefecture office, where the telemeter system is located. During this visit, participants gained practical insights into how air quality monitoring is conducted in Niigata prefecture and learned about the challenges and real-world applications of air quality monitoring in a local context including costing and operations.

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From early to mid-October, participants travelled to the Republic of Korea and underwent comprehensive training at the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) in Incheon. During this training, lecturers presented the primary responsibilities and mission of NIER related to environmental protection and public health in the Republic of Korea. The trainees also visited several key institutions, including the Atmospheric Environment and Climate Change Laboratory at Seoul National University (SNU), the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), the National Air Emission Inventory Research Center (NAIR), the Han River Environmental Research Center, and the Jeju Island Air Quality Research Center. At SNU, the trainees learned about filtering and sampling techniques, filter extraction, and mass concentration measurement, as well as the analysis of microelements using methods like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and organic carbon/elemental carbon (OC/EC) analysis. They gained practical experience in conducting these analyses during hands-on laboratory sessions. At UNIST, they attended lectures on international research collaboration related to air quality, research instruments and tools for air quality analysis, and methods for validating satellite monitoring techniques. During their visit to NAIR, the trainees learned how the center compiles and manages data on pollutants from various sources, including industries, vehicles, and natural phenomena. This data supports air quality policies, regulations, and compliance assessments. The trainees also visited the Han River Environmental Research Center, where they explored the technologies and methods used to safeguard the environment of Paldang Lake. They delved into achievements in water quality monitoring, including analyzing the root causes of pollutants and studying biological indicators. Finally, they visited NIER’s Jeju monitoring station, where they learned about the use of advanced instruments and techniques, including high-precision analyzers and remote sensing tools. These instruments are employed to study air pollutants like particulate matter, ozone, and sulfur compounds, along with their sources and transport patterns.

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Enhancing Expertise in the EANET Participating Countries

The training’s feedback survey indicated that all participants found the program in Japan and the Republic of Korea to be highly valuable. It is anticipated that the experience and knowledge gained will be disseminated to colleagues in their respective countries through seminars, lectures, or study meetings, further enhancing expertise in air quality management in the EANET Participating Countries.

The TNT and EANET Capacity Building Program in 2024 was approved at the Twenty-fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET (IG25) in November 2023 as a Project Activity, co-funded by the EANET Project Fund and the Republic of Korea.

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Find out more about the EANET Project Fund.

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.Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.