Environmental Monitoring Definition: Systematic and continuous surveillance of environmental conditions and components under natural and anthropogenic influences. Also, measuring parameters in time and space for a defined purpose.
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Monitoring ecologic
A comprehensive cheat sheet covering the key aspects of environmental monitoring, including types, principles, levels, methods, and specific monitoring systems.
Fundamentals of Environmental Monitoring
Definition and Types of Monitoring
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Types of Monitoring Programs: |
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Principles and Levels of Monitoring
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Institutional Principles: |
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Operational Principles: |
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Comparable techniques, SI units, Intercalibration, standard references, Compatible databases, Quality control, Clear reporting deadlines, Station descriptions, Long-term data preservation, Warning/control systems, Double analysis upon method change, Statistical data analysis. |
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Levels of Work: Local, Regional, Global. |
Scope of Monitoring Levels
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Local Level: Conducted by each country, tailored to local needs, resources, human impacts, and scientific interest. |
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Regional Level: For groups of countries with common interests; consensus decisions, shared data, regional coordination centers. |
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Global Level: Addresses planetary issues (climate, ozone, biodiversity); conducted by international organizations (UN) with global data synthesis centers. |
Sampling Methods and Integrated Approaches
Sampling Methods
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Gas Sampling: Filtration, impaction, centrifugation, adsorption, absorption, condensation, global collection, continuous flow measurement. |
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Water Sampling: Surface, depths, affluents, films, surfactants, organisms (nets, devices), substance/metal adsorption, sediments. |
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Soil Sampling: Granulometric sorting, coring, pitfall traps (for surface fauna). |
Integrated Approach Considerations
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Integrated Approach Considerations: Long-term objectives, flexibility and comprehensiveness, international collaboration, data comparison system, automation and accessibility, continuous R&D, personnel training, adequate funding, implementation in environmental protection. |
Phases of Environmental Monitoring
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Monitoring Phases: Defining objectives, selecting observation stations, establishing parameters, setting observation period and frequency, determining sampling methods, using specific analytical lab techniques, calibrating equipment, taking measurements, processing data, presenting results, dimensioning/transmitting information. |
Atmospheric Composition and Aquatic Monitoring
Atmospheric Composition Changes
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Processes Modifying Atmospheric Composition: Water evaporation (lithosphere, hydrosphere), evapotranspiration (biosphere), oxygen enrichment (photosynthesis), carbon dioxide loss (photosynthesis), gas/dust input (volcanic activity), cosmic dust capture, substance loss via precipitation. |
Marine and Freshwater Monitoring
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Marine Monitoring Stations: Fixed points (islands, lighthouses, coasts, near pollution sources/river mouths), Mobile points (specialized/commercial ships). |
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Inland Water Monitoring: Stations far from pollution, waters influenced by agriculture (pesticides/fertilizers), waters with wastewater discharges (known sources, diffuse/masked points, accidental/clandestine discharges), special situations (acidification/eutrophication of lakes). |
Soil and Vegetation Monitoring
Soil Biocenosis and Vegetation
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Soil Biocenosis Characteristics (Anthropogenic Influence): Soil biota adapts poorly to human changes; anthropogenic influence disrupts natural processes (humus, mineralization) leading to accelerated erosion, reduced plant production, desertification. |
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Vegetation in Monitoring: Vegetation = air-soil interface, protects, retains/neutralizes pollutants. Advantages: live filter accumulating pollutants long-term, detects low pollutant levels, provides accurate pollution data. |
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Changes in Arboricultural Phytocenoses (Pollution): Rapid species successions, invasion of pollution-resistant species, increased windthrow, increased pest attacks. |
Biological Monitoring and National Systems
Biological Monitoring Aspects
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Biological Monitoring: System for observing/forecasting changes in living world due to natural/human factors, using organisms as indicators. |
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Environmental Aspects Highlighted: Pollutant impact on organisms, changes in ecosystem productivity, exceeding organism tolerance limits, decreased biodiversity, ecological processes across scales. |
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Biological Indicators (Bioindicators): Species used to assess environmental state; organisms sensitive to stress or indicating specific substances; their function/population reflects ecosystem integrity. |
Levels and Types of Biological Monitoring
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Biological Monitoring Levels: Individual (molecular, cellular, tissue), Population, Biocenotic. |
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Types of Biological Monitoring: Early warning (rapid-reaction organisms, bioindicators, automated systems), Diagnostic (essential parameters linked to bioaccumulation), Prognostic (biotesting, ecotoxicology tests). |
Pollutant Monitoring and National Systems
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Pollutant Monitoring: Focuses on long-term effects (human, environment, climate), pollutant interactions, legislation/limits, accident intervention procedures, historical emission data, land/water use in affected areas. |
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Substance Circulation Mechanisms: Substances circulate between Source, Air, Water, Soil/Sediment, and Biota through release, exchanges, and transformations. |
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National Air Monitoring System: RNMCA (Air Quality Monitoring Network) with stations (automatic, mobile), monitoring pollutants (SO2, NOx, CO, O3, VOC, PM10, PM2.5), using specific and general indices. |
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National Soil Monitoring System: Organized on 3 levels: general surveillance, systematic investigations, detailed research. |