Found 10359 publications. Showing page 374 of 415:
Data fusion of sparse, heterogeneous, and mobile sensor devices using adaptive distance attention
In environmental science, where information from sensor devices are sparse, data fusion for mapping purposes is often based on geostatistical approaches. We propose a methodology called adaptive distance attention that enables us to fuse sparse, heterogeneous, and mobile sensor devices and predict values at locations with no previous measurement. The approach allows for automatically weighting the measurements according to a priori quality information about the sensor device without using complex and resource-demanding data assimilation techniques. Both ordinary kriging and the general regression neural network (GRNN) are integrated into this attention with their learnable parameters based on deep learning architectures. We evaluate this method using three static phenomena with different complexities: a case related to a simplistic phenomenon, topography over an area of 196 and to the annual hourly concentration in 2019 over the Oslo metropolitan region (1026 ). We simulate networks of 100 synthetic sensor devices with six characteristics related to measurement quality and measurement spatial resolution. Generally, outcomes are promising: we significantly improve the metrics from baseline geostatistical models. Besides, distance attention using the Nadaraya–Watson kernel provides as good metrics as the attention based on the kriging system enabling the possibility to alleviate the processing cost for fusion of sparse data. The encouraging results motivate us in keeping adapting distance attention to space-time phenomena evolving in complex and isolated areas.
2024
The report presents interim 2023 maps for PM10 annual average, PM2.5 annual average, O3 indicator peak season average of maximum daily 8-hour means, and NO2 annual average. The maps have been produced based on the 2023 non-validated E2a (UTD) data of the AQ e-reporting database, the CAMS Ensemble Forecast modelling data and other supplementary data. Together with the concentration maps, the inter-annual differences between 5-year average 2018-2022 and 2023 are presented (using the 2018-2022 regular and the 2023 interim maps), as well as basic exposure estimates based on the interim maps.
ETC/HE
2024
Transboundary particulate matter, photo-oxidants, acidifying and eutrophying components
Norwegian Meteorological Institute
2024
2024
Integrating Low-cost Sensor Systems and Networks to Enhance Air Quality Applications
Low-cost air quality sensor systems (LCS) are emerging technologies for policy-relevant air quality analysis, including pollution levels, source identification, and forecasting. This report discusses LCS use in networks and alongside other data sources for comprehensive air quality applications, complementing other WMO publications on LCS operating principles, calibration, performance assessment, and data communication.
The LCS’s utility lies in their ability to provide new insights into air quality that existing data sources may not offer. While LCS data must be verified, their integration with other data sources can enhance understanding and management of air quality. In areas without reference-grade monitors, LCS can identify factors affecting local air quality and guide future monitoring efforts. Combining LCS data with satellite and other air quality systems can improve data reliability and establish corroborating evidence for observed trends. LCS can extend the spatial coverage of existing monitoring networks, offering localized insights and supporting effective air quality management policies. Co-locating LCS with reference-grade monitors helps quantify measurement uncertainties and apply LCS data appropriately for forecasting, source impact analysis, and community engagement.
World Meteorological Organization
2024
2024
2024
Reassessing the role of urban green space in air pollution control
The assumption that vegetation improves air quality is prevalent in scientific, popular, and political discourse. However, experimental and modeling studies show the effect of green space on air pollutant concentrations in urban settings is highly variable and context specific. We revisited the link between vegetation and air quality using satellite- derived changes of urban green space and air pollutant concentrations from 2,615 established monitoring stations over Europe and the United States. Between 2010 and 2019, stations recorded declines in ambient NO2, (particulate matter) PM10, and PM2.5 (average of −3.14% y−1), but not O3 (+0.5% y−1), pointing to the general success of recent policy interventions to restrict anthropogenic emissions. The effect size of total green space on air pollution was weak and highly variable, particularly at the street scale (15 to 60 m radius) where vegetation can restrict ventilation. However, when isolating changes in tree cover, we found a negative association with air pollution at borough to city scales (120 to 16,000 m) particularly for O3 and PM. The effect of green space was smaller than the pollutant deposition and dispersion effects of meteorological drivers including precipitation, humidity, and wind speed. When averaged across spatial scales, a one SD increase in green space resulted in a 0.8% (95% CI: −3.5 to 2%) decline in air pollution. Our findings suggest that while urban greening may improve air quality at the borough- to- city scale, the impact is moderate and may have detrimental street- level effects depending on aerodynamic factors like vegetation type and urban form.
vegetation | urban planning | green infrastructure | ecosystem service | public health
2024
Impact of Biomass Burning on Arctic Aerosol Composition
Emissions from biomass burning (BB) occurring at midlatitudes can reach the Arctic, where they influence the remote aerosol population. By using measurements of levoglucosan and black carbon, we identify seven BB events reaching Svalbard in 2020. We find that most of the BB events are significantly different to the rest of the year (nonevents) for most of the chemical and physical properties. Aerosol mass and number concentrations are enhanced by up to 1 order of magnitude during the BB events. During BB events, the submicrometer aerosol bulk composition changes from an organic- and sulfate-dominated regime to a clearly organic-dominated regime. This results in a significantly lower hygroscopicity parameter κ for BB aerosol (0.4 ± 0.2) compared to nonevents (0.5 ± 0.2), calculated from the nonrefractory aerosol composition. The organic fraction in the BB aerosol showed no significant difference for the O:C ratios (0.9 ± 0.3) compared to the year (0.9 ± 0.6). Accumulation mode particles were present during all BB events, while in the summer an additional Aitken mode was observed, indicating a mixture of the advected air mass with locally produced particles. BB tracers (vanillic, homovanillic, and hydroxybenzoic acid, nitrophenol, methylnitrophenol, and nitrocatechol) were significantly higher when air mass back trajectories passed over active fire regions in Eastern Europe, indicating agricultural and wildfires as sources. Our results suggest that the impact of BB on the Arctic aerosol depends on the season in which they occur, and agricultural and wildfires from Eastern Europe have the potential to disturb the background conditions the most.
2024
2024
Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord, 2023
This report presents data from the third year of a new 5-year period of the Urban Fjord programme. The programme started in 2013 and has since been altered/advanced. In 2023 the programme covers sampling and analyses of sediment, blue mussels and cod from the Inner Oslofjord, as well as water and trout from Alna River. In addition, samples of stormwater, and waste water from Bekkelaget wastewater treatment plant, are analysed. A total of ∼230 single compounds/isomers were analysed, and frequent detection was found of specific PFAS compounds in aqueous phases, other specific PFAS compounds in fish liver, certain QACs in particulate phases, certain benzothiazoles in aqueous phases, chlorinated paraffins (MCCP in particular) in sediment and biota, certain siloxanes in biota and particulate phases, metals in all matrices, and PCBs in sediment and biota.
Norsk institutt for vannforskning (NIVA)
2024
To achieve the objectives of COP28 for transitioning away from fossil fuels and phasing these out, both natural and technological solutions are essential, necessitating a step-change in how we implement social innovation. Given the significant CO2 emissions produced by the building sector, there is an urgent need for a transformative shift towards a net-zero building stock by mid-century. This transition to zero-energy and zero-emission buildings is difficult due to complex processes and substantial costs. Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) offers a promising solution due to the benefits of enhanced energy efficiency and electricity production. The availability of roof and façade space in offices and other types of buildings, especially in large cities, permits photovoltaic integration in both opaque and transparent surfaces. This study investigates the synergistic relationship between solar conversion technologies and nature-based components. Through a meta-analysis of peer-reviewed literature and critical assessment, effective BIPVs with greenery (BIPVGREEN) combinations suitable for various climatic zones are identified. The results highlight the multi-faceted benefits of this integration across a range of techno-economic and social criteria and underscore the feasibility of up-scaling these solutions for broader deployment. Applying a SWOT analysis approach, the internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external opportunities and threats for BIPVGREEN deployment, are investigated. The analysis reveals key drivers of synergistic effects and multi-benefits, while also addressing the challenges associated with optimizing performance and reducing investment costs. The strengths of BIPVGREEN in terms of energy efficiency and sustainable decarbonization, along with its potential to mitigate urban and climate temperature increases, enhance its relevance to the built environment, especially for informal settlements. The significance of prioritizing this BIPVGREEN climate mitigation action in low-income vulnerable regions and informal settlements is crucial through the minimum tax financing worldwide and citizen's engagement in architectural BIPVGREEN co-integration.
2024
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