Tasks completed in the first half of 2023:

Within the framework of Activity No. 2 titled “Developing the concept of launching the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) system for deposition measurements”, the work titled “Concept for the implementation of a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) system for deposition measurements, together with workshop of GIOŚ staff” was completed in April 2023. The final quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures for deposition measurements were carried out, including:

• methodology for sampling and handling samples in the field,
• methodology for receiving samples at the laboratory,
• methodologies for taking measurements:
  • methodology for performing pH measurements (conductivity method) in wet in situ deposition,
  • methodology for performing specific electrical conductivity (potentiometric method) in wet in situ deposition,
  • methodology for performing precipitation height and precipitation amount measurements for wet deposition,
• validation methodologies:
  • validation/verification methodology and sampling uncertainty assessment,
  • validation/verification methodology and evaluation of uncertainties in quantitative pH measurements,
  • validation/verification methodology and evaluation of the quantitative uncertainty of specific electrical conductivity measurements.

On May 24-25, 2023, the “Training on the Implementation of the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) system for deposition measurements” was held with the participation of NILU representatives, which was organized by IOŚ-PIB. The workshop was devoted to a comprehensive discussion of the design of a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) system for deposition measurements. Tasks carried out during the workshop included discussion of the above methodologies.

Within the framework of Activity No. 3, a procurement procedure was carried out and on May 24, 2023, an agreement was concluded with the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management - National Research Institute (IMGW-PIB) for the implementation of the order titled “Guidelines for performing atmospheric deposition assessments, including a proposal for an appropriate deposition modeling technique together with training of GIOŚ employees”. The subject of the order is a review of methods for obtaining the spatial distribution of selected indicators subject to deposition in the area of Poland, then the selection of appropriate methods and performance of tests using them. On this basis, guidelines for performing atmospheric deposition assessments will be developed, which will enable the production of an annual report on atmospheric deposition assessment, along with the ability to track trends and changes over multi-year periods in this regard.

Within the framework of Activity No. 4 entitled “Visualisation and making available atmospheric deposition data via the GIOŚ ‘Air Quality’ website”, an agreement was concluded on May 5 with ONGEO AL7 A. Łabaj Sp.k. Sp.k. for the implementation of the contract entitled “Training in spatial analysis of precipitation chemistry and air quality monitoring using GIS techniques”. The aforementioned training in the use of QGIS software took place in June 2023 and was aimed at employees of the Department of Environmental Monitoring of the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection dealing with, among other things, collection and processing of spatial data, development of maps, reports, problem analyses, articles and preparation of information on precipitation chemistry and air quality monitoring. The training was attended by 20 GIOŚ employees.

Within the framework of Activity No. 4, a procurement procedure was also carried out and on June 22, 2023, an agreement was concluded with nFinity.pl Sp. z o.o. for the implementation of the order titled “Concept for visualization and sharing of atmospheric deposition data through the GIOŚ Air Quality website with its implementation.” The subject of the order is the development of the concept of visualization and sharing of atmospheric deposition data in Poland, followed by its implementation – the creation of a website for the presentation of atmospheric deposition data.

Within the framework of Activity No. 5 titled “Procurement of deposition measurement instruments”, the tender procedure for the contract titled “Purchase of atmospheric deposition measurement equipment” was awarded, and on March 14, 2023, a contract was concluded with MLU Sp. z.o.o. and implementation began. Under the contract, 14 atmospheric deposition measuring devices (wet deposition collectors) will be purchased. The delivery has been divided into two stages: Phase I with a completion date of June 30, 2023, and Phase II with a completion date of November 25, 2023.

In the first stage, i.e. until June 30, 2023, 5 units of wet deposition collectors were delivered and put into operation, which were installed at the following stations:

• Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection station in Gołuchów,
• Integrated Monitoring of the Natural Environment stations in Granica and Szymbark,
• Institute of Meteorology and Water Management - National Research Institute station in Lesko and Łeba.

Within the second phase, another 9 wet deposition collectors will be delivered by November 25, 2023.

At the same time, a tender procedure for the purchase of an additional 5 wet deposition collectors was initiated in April 2023 with planned delivery dates:

• by November 17, 2023 – 3 wet deposition collectors;
• by January 31, 2024 – 2 wet deposition collectors.

The new atmospheric deposition measurement network will consist of 19 measurement sites and is scheduled to be operational in January 2024.

Tasks completed in the second half of 2022:

Within the framework of Activity No. 1 titled “Concept for modernization and optimization of deposition measurements in Poland”, from June 27 to July 1, 2022, employees of the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (GIOŚ) visited the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) in Kjeller. The participants also visited the comprehensive air quality monitoring station in Birkenes belonging to the EMEP network. The purpose of the study visit was to learn about the functioning of the atmospheric deposition measurement and assessment system in Norway, with a particular focus on the quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) system for deposition measurements and the modelling of precipitation chemistry for its assessment. The visit to NILU allowed for an effective exchange of experience, providing a basis for further project activities.

Within the framework of Activity No. 2 titled “Developing the concept of launching the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) system for deposition measurements” a tender procedure was carried out and on October 10, 2022 an agreement was concluded with the Institute of Environmental Protection - National Research Institute (IOŚ-PIB) for the implementation of the contract titled “Concept for the implementation of a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) system for deposition measurements, together with workshop of GIOŚ staff.” In accordance with the provisions of the contract, preliminary versions of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures for deposition measurements, including methodologies for collecting and handling samples in the field, receiving samples in the laboratory, methodologies for performing measurements, and validation methodologies, were executed in December 2022.

Within the framework of Activity No. 3 entitled “Developing the guidance document on assessment of atmospheric deposition, including a proposal of the most suitable deposition modeling technique” the project’s Norwegian partner, NILU, has prepared a report entitled. “Review of methods that can be used in the assessment of atmospheric deposition.” In accordance with the findings of the study visit to NILU in June 2022, for the purposes of the aforementioned report, the Norwegian partner of the project carried out the following activities:

• reviewed statistical methods, chemical transport models, assimilation of measurement data with modeling data, available for use in performing atmospheric deposition assessments, and then described these methods,
• tested selected statistical methods (Ordinary Kriging, Universal Kriging, Inverse Distance Weighting) for the selected year 2020 and selected parameters of wet atmospheric deposition,
• analyzed atmospheric deposition results for Poland from chemical transport models: EMEP, WRF and WRF-EMEP combination,
• analyzed the results of atmospheric deposition for Poland from assimilation of atmospheric deposition measurement data for Poland with the EMEP chemical transport model,
• recommended methods that could be used in Polish conditions.

Within the framework of Activity No. 5 titled “Procurement of Deposition Measurement Instruments”, a description of the subject of the contract for the purchase of 14 pieces of atmospheric deposition measurement equipment was developed. In November 2022, the tender procedure for the purchase of the aforementioned equipment was initiated.

Tasks carried out in the first half of 2022:

As part of the implementation of the project "Strengthening of atmospheric deposition assessment in Poland based on the Norwegian experience", in the first half of 2022, within the framework of the task entitled "Concept for modernization and optimization of deposition measurements in Poland", reports were prepared on:

1. analysis of Polish and foreign documents and studies, monitoring systems and data of the State Environmental Monitoring in order to design a new system of research and assessments of atmospheric deposition,
2. the optimal range of substances and parameters that should be studied as part of precipitation chemistry (wet precipitation),
3. the optimal number of measurement points in terms of the study of atmospheric precipitation chemistry on a national scale and their detailed locations, as well as the cost of operating the new monitoring system for atmospheric precipitation chemistry.

Under the developed “Concept for Modernization and Optimization of Deposition Measurements in Poland,” the process of preparing a description of the subject of the contract for the purchase and foundation of equipment for measuring precipitation deposition was initiated.