Jimi chairs Defra review of monitoring for acidifying and eutrophying pollutants

Jimi Irwin has chaired a review of monitoring for acidifying and eutrophying pollutants for Defra. Such measurements have been an important part of the United Kingdom measurement programme since the first national precipitation chemistry network was established in 1986. They have played an important role in determining pollutant deposition over the country and in identifying areas where research was necessary to improve our understanding of atmospheric chemistry and deposition processes. More recently, they have provided a tool for the implementation of a critical loads and levels approach to environmental protection.

The Review Panel reviewed current monitoring with regard to species measured, locations, frequency of measurement, methodology and quality assurance. They also considered the status of the UK supersites at Harwell and Auchencorth Moss within the European Evaluation and Monitoring programme. In reaching their conclusions the Panel drew on material provided by the network operators, past reports and also the findings of a user survey. Relevant material is available on the NERC open research archive.