Summary of discussion 1

1
Summary of discussion (1)

• Where are we now?
• work is going well
• progress since last time
• many interesting features in the presentations
• countries should be proud of the work done
• National assessments should include three main
  points (results of emission reduction - trends,
  present status, needs for further action). Up to
  now countries were focused on point one.
• Work on points 2 and 3 needs connection and
  coordination with the Working Group on Effects
• We need one more workshop like the present one in
  2003
• Priorities Finish point 1 and attack points 2
  and 3

2
Summary of discussion (2)

• Many countries have a problem with recognition of
  the work on national assessments, resources and
  projects on national level. The point 1 can be
  finished but lack of resources for points 2 and
  3. Help needed.
• An official letter referring to SB decision has
  been sent from the Secretariat to Ministries of
  Foreign Affairs and Environment in the countries.
  In some countries it had no practical effect.
• Two possible solutions of the problem 1) one
  more letter to high level persons concerning
  EMEP, in the countries who need it. 2) report
  these problems to coming soon EB meeting.
• Broad interpretation of points 2 and 3 requires
  very large resources. Scope of the work on these
  points in the frame of national assessments
  should be limited.
• A lot of interesting information on point 1 was
  already provided. It is important to investigate
  similarities and differences with the neighboring
  countries.

3
Summary of discussion (3)

• We all should think where to find resources for
  the national assessments. EMEP Assessment Report
  Leader will try to investigate this problem and
  is waiting for suggestions.
• Austria
• Large decrease in SO2 concentration because of
  reduced long range transport from Slovakia
• No trend in NO2 and reduced nitrogen
  concentrations
• Problem with EMEP stations around Austria. Enough
  stations in Slovakia and Czech Republic, not
  enough coverage in Hungary. What about
  co-ordination within the EMEP concerning
  locations of the measurement stations?
• Czech Republic
• Episodes with high concentrations of sulphur not
  so frequent anymore
• Ozone remains a very serious problem but episodes
  with very high concentrations not so frequent
• Problem change of the method for measuring wet
  deposition
• Suggestion investigate sources for operation of
  EMEP in EU authorities

4
Summary of discussion (4)

• Slovakia
• Substantial decrease of SO2 and sulphate in the
  air concentrations. The decrease of measured
  concentrations is faster than decrease of SO2
  emissions in Europe and is closer to decrease of
  Slovakian SO2 emissions (78 form 1990 to 2000)
• NOx and NO2 concentrations also decrease but not
  so fast as S.
• Increase of ozone concentrations (1 ug/m3)
  between 1970 and 1990. Since 1990 no trend,
  although Slovakian emission of NOx and VOC
  reduced by more than 50. Emission reduction
  reflected in the reduction of maximum ozone
  concentrations
• Problem Amount of wet deposition is
  systematically underestimated in the mountains
  because of the important role of occult
  deposition.
• France
• Sulphur concentrations are going down
• Lack of trends for nitrate and a problem to
  explain it.
• Main problem - photochemical pollution,
  especially ozone (typical for Mediterranean
  countries) and secondary aerosols.
• Acid rain is not a problem in France

5
Summary of discussion (5)

• Italy
• SO2 significantly decreasing and NO2 slowly
  decreasing, pH more neutral
• Ozone maximum hourly concentration decreasing,
  but mean values slower decrease
• SO2 emission - sharp decrease, NOx emissions
  under control
• Ispra station goes to Italian data because of
  geography
• Nothing strange, but high ozone concentrations
• Ozone more important than acidification
• Germany
• Interesting problem for investigation The ratio
  of sulphur particles to nitrogen particles in TSP
  have not changed even if concentrations of S are
  relatively much lower. Why?

6
Summary of discussion (6)

• Slovenia
• Urban measurements will be included in the
  national assessment.
• Cluster analysis of transboundary transport.
• Main problems High concentrations of SO2 and
  ozone and probably PM (but lack of data)
• Discussion with neighbouring countries
  comparison of results of the air components with
  Italy and precipitation data with Croatia.
• Reductions in SO2 emissions
• Slight decreasing trend in SO2 and particle
  concentrations
• Suggestion for Part 1 Show all countries in
  comparable way, like in the annual EMEP reports.
  Reasons comparable results and all countries
  included.

7
Summary of discussion (7)

• UK
• Large reductions in emissions of sulphur in the
  UK, amounting to 80 since the peak, have
  considerably reduced S deposition to the UK as a
  whole. However, some regions, especially close
  to the west coast show much smaller reductions in
  deposition than in emissions, and are indicative
  of the growing importance of marine S emissions
  to S deposition in W. Britain.
• Nitrogen deposition to the UK, especially to
  semi-natural ecosystems, exceeds critical loads
  for eutrophication widely and is dominated by
  reduced N from agricultural sources.
• Ground level ozone concentrations show a decline
  in peak concentrations between 1986 and 1998 of
  30. However, background concentrations are
  increasing and at remote and upland locations,
  the trend is approximately 0.3 ppb year-1.
• Croatia
• Sulphur goes down in air and precipitation
• Two EMEP sites have upward trends but the rest
  not ? interesting
• Problem Measured and model data close but not
  precipitation