National Atmospheric Air Quality Observation Stations INSPIRE View

The main task of air quality observation stations is to provide information on the quality of outdoor air in the troposphere (excluding the working environment) and to compare the actual condition with the established quality standards. The aim of these quality standards is to prevent harm to human health or the environment and to ensure the long-term preservation of biodiversity. The National Air Quality Observation Network includes 7 urban observation stations for urban air quality and 2 rural background stations assessing the quality of atmospheric air entering Latvia as a result of transboundary mass transport (Protocol of the 1979 Geneva Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Transmission of Air Pollution (EMEP) on the long-term financing of the common programme for monitoring and assessing long-range air pollution in Europe Air quality measurements are provided in continuous automatic mode, as well as manual air and precipitation sampling devices with further chemical analysis in the LVĢMC Environmental Laboratory are used. Rucava and Zosēni Stations are included in the Global Atmospheric Watch of the World Meteorological Organisation as a background station at regional level. In addition to atmospheric air quality observations within the framework of the Geneva Convention, observations on the impact of atmospheric air quality on the health status of the environment are also implemented and Latvia is involved in the following international programmes: Co-operation Programme for the Monitoring of Air Pollution Impacts on Ecosystems (ICP Integrated Monitoring) ICP Vegetation (ICP Vegetation) programme for monitoring the effects of air pollution on natural vegetation and cereals Cooperation programme on air pollution impacts on rivers and lakes (ICP Waters) Joint Programme for Monitoring and Assessment of Air Pollution Impacts on Forests (ICP Forest)