TC19 - Environmental Measurements - Aims

  1. Analytical measurement of the three main environmental media:
    - air
    - water
    - soil
    and the following materials:
    - gases
    - drinking water, surface water, groundwater and wastewater
    - solid and liquid waste
    - human, plant and animal bodies as well as organs
    - synthetic products.

  2. Instrumental methods for the measurement of environmental noise and vibration pollution

  3. Development and improvement of analytical methods for measuring environmental pollutants

    Parameter Analytical method
    Traditional parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, organic and inorganic anions, cations and salts, COD etc.) Colorimetry, (spectro)photometry, potentiometry, electrochemistry (coulometry)
    Inorganic micropollutants (toxic metals and As) AAS, ICP, ICP-MS, electrochemistry (anodic stripping voltammetry etc.
    Organic micropollutants GC, GC-MS, LC, HPLC, HPLC-MS, TLC etc.
    Group parameters (TOC, DOC, AOX, TN, TP, toxicity, biological degradability etc.) Complex instrumental and biological methods
    Ionizatin and non-ionization radiations Radioactivity (α, β, γ, X ray radiation) Radiometry, spectroscopy, dosimetry

  4. Development of new analytical methods, sensors and instruments for monitoring of air, water and soil quality in residential, industrial, as well as, agricultural areas.

  5. Development and improvement of remote sensing methods for measuring environmental pollution:

    Parameter Remote Sensing method
    Trace gases Series of new satellites in NASA's EOS and other programmes measuring CO, CO2, and methane in the troposphere.
    Contaminated earth Aerial and satellite-based photography and multispectral scanners that identify sources of contamination, previously contaminated sites and potential sources of pollution.
    Water pollution Aerial and satellite-based photography and multispectral scanners that assess water clarity and colour for both inert and biotic materials.
    Sub-surface contamination
    Groundwater level and quality
    Soil salinity, conductivity and moisture    		 Ground-penetrating Radar, acoustical soundings
    Erosion and other earth processes Aerial and satellite-based photography and multispectral scanners that measure coastal process contributing to pollution such as coastal erosion.

  6. Development of new platforms (e.g. satellites and aerial configurations) and image processing techniques for detection of potential sources of contamination and monitoring of air, water and earth quality. Development of Geographic Information Systems to perform spatial analysis of remote sensing-based and ground-based environmental assessment.

  7. Evaluation and assessment of environmental data
    Evaluation methods for off line analytical data and real time sensor data. Methods for higher level processing.
    - Evaluation of air, water and soil quality data
    - Evaluation of noise and vibration data
    - Assessment of Earth processes including erosion
    - Evaluation of methods for real time remote sensing data such as relay satellites and aerial drones. Methods for monitoring and higher level image and spatial data processing. Use of measurements to establish surrogates such as vegetation stress as indicators of environmental impact.
    - Assessment of land use and land cover type change
    - Use of measurements to establish environmental burden as a measure of potential environmental impact.

  8. Quality assurance and quality control of environmental measurements.