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Evaluation and optimization of ICOS atmosphere station data as part of the labeling process
Get PDFThe Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) is a pan-European research infrastructure which provides harmonized and high-precision scientific data on the carbon cycle and the greenhouse gas budget. All stations have to undergo a rigorous assessment before being labeled, i.e., receiving approval to join the network. In this paper, we present the labeling process for the ICOS atmosphere network through the 23 stations that were labeled between November 2017 and November 2019. We describe the labeling steps, as well as the quality controls, used to verify that the ICOS data (CO2, CH4, CO and meteorological measurements) attain the expected quality level defined within ICOS. To ensure the quality of the greenhouse gas data, three to four calibration gases and two target gases are measured: one target two to three times a day, the other gases twice a month. The data are verified on a weekly basis, and tests on the station sampling lines are performed twice a year. From these high-quality data, we conclude that regular calibrations of the CO2, CH4 and CO analyzers used here (twice a month) are important in particular for carbon monoxide (CO) due to the analyzer's variability and that reducing the number of calibration injections (from four to three) in a calibration sequence is possible, saving gas and extending the calibration gas lifespan. We also show that currently, the on-site water vapor correction test does not deliver quantitative results possibly due to environmental factors. Thus the use of a drying system is strongly recommended. Finally, the mandatory regular intake line tests are shown to be useful in detecting artifacts and leaks, as shown here via three different examples at the stations.publishedVersio
The who, why and where of Norway’s emissions from tourist travel
No full textWe present emissions from Norway’s tourist travel by the available transport modes, i.e., aviation, maritime (ferries and cruises) and land-based transport (road and railways). Our study includes detailed information on both domestic and international tourist travel within, from and to Norway. We have coupled statistics from several large surveys with detailed emission data to allow us to separate the purpose of the travel (holiday or business). Total transport emissions for tourists in 2018 were estimated to be 8 530 kt, equivalent to 19% of the reported Norwegian national emissions. Of these emissions, international tourists visiting Norway were responsible for 3 273 kt , whereas travel by Norwegians accounted for 4 875 kt , most of which occur outside Norway’s reporting obligations. Aviation and maritime transport were found to be the largest emission sources, responsible for 71% and 21% of total emissions, respectively. The reduction due to the COVID-19 pandemic was approximately 60% in 2020, and was sustained throughout the year. Our study shows that officially reported emissions, as limited to the countries territory, are not suitable for accurate evaluation of transport emissions related to tourism. A consumer or tourist-based calculation gives a marked redistribution of emission responsibility. Our results indicate that emissions from Norwegian residents travelling abroad are 1 602 kt higher than those from tourists coming to Norway. This is driven by frequent trips to popular tourist destinations such as Spain, Thailand, Turkey and Greece. Globally consumer based calculations would shift the responsibility of emissions by tourists to the large wealthy nations, with the most international tourists. The understanding of emission distributed by population group or market support in addition the developing of marketing strategies to attract low emission tourist markets and create awareness among the nations with higher shares of international tourist.publishedVersio
Toxic effects of gunshot fumes from different ammunitions for small arms on lung cells exposed at the air liquid interface
Get PDFConcerns have been raised as to whether gunshot fumes induce prolonged reduced lung capacity or even cancer due to inhalation. Gunshot fumes from three different types of ammunition calibre 5.56 mm × 45 NATO were investigated. SS109 has a soft lead (Pb) core, while NM255 and NM229 have a harder steel core. Emissions from ammunitions were characterized with respect to particle number- and mass-size, and mass distribution, heavy metal content, and different gases. Lung epithelial cells were exposed to the fumes at the air liquid interface to elucidate cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Irrespectively of ammunition type, the largest mass fraction of generated particulate matter (PM) had a size between 1 and 3 μm. The highest number of particles generated was in the size range of 30 nm. Fumes from NM255 and NM229 induced cytotoxic effects of which the emission from NM229 induced the highest effect. Fumes from NM229 induced a dose-related increase in DNA-damage. Significant effects were only achieved at the highest exposure level, which led to approximately 40% reduced cell viability after 24 h. The effect probably relates to the mass of emitted particles where the size may be of importance, in addition to emission of Cu and Zn. A complex mixture of chemical substances and PM may increase the toxicity of the fumes and should encourage measures to reduce exposure.publishedVersio
Information Requirements under the Essential-Use Concept: PFAS Case Studies
Get PDFPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of substances for which there are widespread concerns about their extreme persistence in combination with toxic effects. It has been argued that PFAS should only be employed in those uses that are necessary for health or safety or are critical for the functioning of society and where no alternatives are available (“essential-use concept”). Implementing the essential-use concept requires a sufficient understanding of the current uses of PFAS and of the availability, suitability, and hazardous properties of alternatives. To illustrate the information requirements under the essential-use concept, we investigate seven different PFAS uses, three in consumer products and four industrial applications. We investigate how much information is available on the types and functions of PFAS in these uses, how much information is available on alternatives, their performance and hazardous properties and, finally, whether this information is sufficient as a basis for deciding on the essentiality of a PFAS use. The results show (i) the uses of PFAS are highly diverse and information on alternatives is often limited or lacking; (ii) PFAS in consumer products often are relatively easy to replace; (iii) PFAS uses in industrial processes can be highly complex and a thorough evaluation of the technical function of each PFAS and of the suitability of alternatives is needed; (iv) more coordination among PFAS manufacturers, manufacturers of alternatives to PFAS, users of these materials, government authorities, and other stakeholders is needed to make the process of phasing out PFAS more transparent and coherent.publishedVersio
Historical dry deposition of air pollution in the urban background in Oslo, Norway, compared to Western European data
Get PDFThe historical (1835–2020) dry deposition of major air pollutants (SO2, NOx, O3 and PM2.5) in the urban background in Oslo, Norway, in a situation that could represent the building facades, was approximated from reported fuel combustion, emission factors, air concentrations since 1960, and dry deposition velocities. The annual accumulated dry deposition (and thus not considering the removal processes) of the pollutants, together, was found to have varied from about 2.3 to 27 g m−2, with the maximum in the 1960s caused by high SO2 emissions from the combustion of fuel oils, and with 1.6 kg m−2 having deposited over all the years. The deposition of PM2.5 was found to have dominated from 1835, have increased to a maximum in 1875 and then slowly decreased. The SO2 deposition decreased to a low value around 1990. The NOx deposition was also at its highest in the 1960s to about 1970, it became the largest from the 1980s, and then showed a clear decrease from about 2010. The O3 deposition was lower in the years of the maximum total and NOx deposition. The dry deposition of O3 and NOx were found to be about similar in 2020, more than two times that of PM2.5 and more than four times that of SO2. The trends of the NOx emissions were found to reflect the relative (1975) and absolute (∼2000) turning points of the environmental Kuznets curves (EKC) that has been suggested for Norway, whereas the trend of the SO2 emissions seems to have “shortcut” this development by the strong regulations in the emissions from 1970 that lead to near simultaneous relative and absolute reductions. The gradual decrease of the PM2.5 emissions from about 1945 seems to correspond with the decrease in combustion energy intensity in the economy as wood was substituted with more energy efficient fuels and then with the continued reduction in the wood burning.publishedVersio
Overvåking av langtransportert forurenset luft og nedbør. Atmosfæriske tilførsler 2020.
Get PDFThis report presents results from the monitoring of atmospheric composition and deposition of air pollution in 2020, and focuses on main components in air and precipitation, particulate and gaseous phase of inorganic constituents, particulate carbonaceous matter, ground level ozone and particulate matter. The level of pollution in 2020 was generally low and this can partly be explained by special weather conditions in the first months with mostly clean, marine air from the west. The extensive restrictions on human activity in connection with the pandemic in Europe, have probably also contributed to lower levels of air pollution at the Norwegian background stations. In 2020, it was an unusual wide-spread episode during October causing high concentrations of most pollutants at all the sites.Denne rapporten omhandler resultater fra overvåkningsprogrammet for langtransportert forurenset luft og nedbør og atmosfæriske tilførsler i 2020. Rapporten presenterer målinger av uorganiske hovedkomponentene i luft og nedbør, partikulært karbonholdig materiale, partikkelmasse og bakkenært ozon. Forurensningsnivået i 2020 var generelt lavt noe som delvis kan forklares med spesielle værforhold de første månedene med hovedsakelig ren, marin luft fra vest. De omfattende restriksjonene på menneskelig aktivitet i forbindelse med pandemien i Europa, har trolig også bidratt til lavere nivåer av luftforurensninger på de norske bakgrunnsstasjonene. I 2020 ble det observert en uvanlig omfattende episode med høye konsentrasjoner av luftforurensing på alle stasjoner.publishedVersio
Overvåking av ozonlaget og naturlig ultrafiolett stråling: Årsrapport 2020.
Get PDFThis report summarizes the results from the Norwegian monitoring programme on stratospheric ozone and UV radiation measurements. The ozone layer has been measured at three locations since 1979: In Oslo/Kjeller, Tromsø/Andøya and Ny-Ålesund. The UV measurements started in 1995. The results show that there was a significant decrease in stratospheric ozone above Norway between 1979 and 1997. After that, the ozone layer stabilized at a level ~2% below pre-1980 level. 2020 was characterized by a strong, cold, and persistent Arctic stratospheric vortex, leading to extensive formation of Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs, mother-of-pearl clouds) and chemical ozone destruction with very low ozone values and high UV levels in the exposed regions in the spring.Denne rapporten presenterer resultatene fra det norske måleprogrammet for totalozon og UV-stråling. Ozonlaget har blitt målt ved tre stasjoner siden 1979: i Oslo/Kjeller, Tromsø/Andøya og Ny-Ålesund. UV-målinger startet i 1995. Resultatene viser at det var en signifikant ozonreduksjon over Norge i perioden 1979 til 1997. Deretter stanset reduksjonen og ozonverdiene stabiliserte seg på et nivå ~2% lavere enn verdiene før 1980. Mest karakteristisk for 2020 var en kraftig og vedvarende arktisk stratosfærisk vortex og mye perlemorskyer (PSC-er) vinteren og våren 2020, noe som førte til sterk ozonnedbryting, svært lave ozonverdier og høye UV-nivåer i de berørte områdene.publishedVersio
VOC measurements 2019
Get PDFThis report presents VOC (volatile organic compound) measurements carried out during 2019 at EMEP monitoring sites. In total, 19 sites reported VOC-data from EMEP VOC sites this year. Some of the data-sets are considered preliminary and are not included in the report.
The monitoring of VOC has become more diverse with time in terms of instrumentation. Starting in the early 1990s with standardized methods based on manual sampling in steel canisters and adsorption tubes with subsequent analyses at the lab, the methods now consist of a variety of instruments and measurement principles, including automated continuous monitors and manual flask samples.
Within the EU infrastructure project ACTRIS, data quality issues related to measurements of VOC are an important topic. Many of the institutions providing VOC-data to EMEP are participating in the ACTRIS infrastructure project, either as formal partners or on a voluntary basis. Participation in ACTRIS means an extensive effort with data-checking including detailed discussions between the ACTRIS community and individual participants. There is no doubt that this extensive effort has benefited the EMEP-program substantially and has led to improved data quality in general.
Comparison between median levels in 2019 and the medians of the previous 10-years period, revealed similar geographical patterns as in the previous years. Changes in instrumentation, procedures and station network with time make it difficult though to provide a rigorous and pan-European assessment of long-term trends of the observed VOCs. In this report, we have estimated the trends in NMHC over the 2000-2019 period at five sites by three independent statistical methods. All three methods gave comparable estimates of the trends, although the Mann-Kendall method based on annual data (compared to daily data for the other two methods) found fewer significant trends.
These estimates indicate marked differences in the long-term trends for the individual species. Small or non-significant trends were found for ethane during 2000-2019. Propane also showed fairly small reductions. On the other hand, components linked to road traffic (ethene, ethyne and benzene) showed the strongest drop in mean concentrations, up to 60-80% at some stations.publishedVersio
Alpine Ice‐Core Evidence of a Large Increase in Vanadium and Molybdenum Pollution in Western Europe During the 20th Century
Get PDFPollutants emitted by industrial processes are deposited across the landscape. Ice core records from mid-latitude glaciers located close to emission sources document the history of local-to-regional pollution since preindustrial times. Such records underpin attribution of pollutants to specific emission sources critical to developing abatement policies. Previous ice core studies from the Alps document the overall magnitude and timing of pollution related to nitrogen and sulfur-derived species, as well as a few metals including lead. Here, we used subannually resolved measurements of vanadium (V) and molybdenum (Mo) in two ice cores from Col du Dome (French Alps), as well as atmospheric transport and deposition modeling, to investigate sources of pollution in the free European troposphere. The noncrustal V and Mo (ncV, ncMo) components were calculated by subtracting the crustal component from the total concentration. These ice core results showed a 32-fold increase in ncV and a 69-fold increase in ncMo from the preindustrial era (pre-1860) to the industrial concentration peaks. Anthropogenic V and Mo emissions in Europe were estimated using emission factors from oil and coal consumption and atmospheric transport and deposition modeling. When comparing ice core data to estimated anthropogenic V and Mo emissions in Europe, V was found to be sourced primarily from oil combustion emissions. Conversely, coal and oil combustion estimated emissions did not agree with the measured ice core Mo concentrations, suggesting that other anthropogenic Mo sources dominated coal-burning emissions, particularly after the 1950s. Noncoal-burning sources of Mo may include metallurgy although emission factors are poorly known.publishedVersio
Ren luft for alle. ExtraStiftelsen project 2019/HE1-263918.
Get PDFIn 2019, in the framework of Oslo being European Green Capital, NILU invited students from elementary schools to measure air pollution in their neighbourhood, using simple and affordable measuring methods based on paper and Vaseline. The students prepared the measuring devices and selected the places where they wanted to monitor. After one week, they retrieved the devices and used a scale to compare the amount of dust fastened to the Vaseline. All of the data gathered by the students was uploaded by the teachers to a website (https://luftaforalle.nilu.no/), where a map showed all the results from the participating schools. The school campaign has helped researchers to get data on particulate matter from many places where data was not available, and has increased awareness among the children about the sustainability challenges cities are facing.I 2019 ble Oslo kåret til europeisk miljøhovedstad. Som del av de offisielle aktivitetene inviterte NILU – Norsk institutt for luftforskning og NAAF (Norges Astma- og Allergiforbund) barneskoleelever i Oslo og tidligere Akershus fylkeskommune til å måle luftkvaliteten i sine nærområder ved å bruke en enkle målemetode, basert på melkekartong og vaselin. Elevene laget sine egne luftmålere og valgte selv plassering av målerne utendørs. Etter en uke ble luftmålerne samlet inn, og elevene kunne analysere luftkvaliteten ved å sammenligne mengden av støv som hadde fastet seg på vaselinen med en støvskala som var del av undervisningsmaterialet. Resultatene ble deretter lastet opp på et kart som var tilgjengelig via nettsidene https://luftaforalle.nilu.no/.publishedVersio