# A Monitoring Network on Acidification in  Flanders, Belgium

Authors: Bo Van den Bril; Dominique Meremans; Edward Roekens
Journal: TheScientificWorldJOURNAL
 (2011)

**Keywords:** measuring methods; acid deposition; ammonia; mathematical modelling; sampling strategy


---

## Abstract

This paper presents the monitoring of acid deposition in Flanders (Belgium) and the change of the measurement objectives, recently towards measurement of ammonia. The monitoring network on acidification has provided results for 10 years. Analysis of acidifying pollutants between 2005 and 2010 shows decreasing concentrations throughout the whole period. NO2 has no significant trend, although the average total deposition in 2010 (2027 Eq/ha.y) is still higher than the objectives of the Flemish environmental policy plan for 2015 (1800 Eq/ha.y). Given the contribution of ammonia, the Flemish Environmental Agency has the aim to develop a policy-oriented monitoring network on ammonia. Studies on this subject have already been extensively conducted.


---

## Body

## 1. A MONITORING NETWORK ON ACIDIFICATION IN FLANDERS,  BELGIUM

As a member of the European Union, Belgium has obligations and responsibilities to conform to European air quality directives.  Environment is a regional matter in Belgium. The Flemish Environment Agency, hereinafter referred to as VMM (Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij), is responsible for the Flanders region of the country (see Figure1).  The EU ratified a directive in 2001 (2001, 2001/81/EG), a National Emission Ceiling Directive or NEC Directive. This directive was set internationally to determine cross-border environmental problems. Beside this, the European Community ratified the Göteborg protocol. This is the 8th Protocol of the EU Directive (2008/50/EG), part of the Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) [1]. To meet the obligations for reporting, VMM makes an inventory of the emissions of SO2, NOx, and NH3 and compares it with the emission ceilings. From the emission ceilings for SO2, NOx, and NH3, guide values for the deposition are calculated by the VLOPS model (see further) and compared with modelled deposition based on actual emission values. Additional, VMM reports results of measurements of pesticides, acidification, heavy metals, and mercury in air and deposition under a project called OSPARCAMP (the Comprehensive Atmospheric Monitoring Programme (CAMP) aims to assess the input of selected contaminants to the OSPAR maritime area and its regions via atmospheric deposition).Figure 1
Map of Belgium, with in the north the Flemish part, in the south the French part, and Brussels as the dark blue region close to the border of het two other regions.Although the emission of most pollutants decreased during the last decades, the concentration or deposition of some pollutants remains to high [2]. The pollutants emitted can cause adverse health effects and have the potential to cause environmental damage [3]. Air pollutants may be natural or man made and may take the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. These pollutants are divided into various groups, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10—particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 and 10 microns or less, resp.), heavy metals and also potential acidifying components.Air pollution is a complex matter, comprising it almost invariably does a mixture of many different substances, some of which are more toxic than others [4]. Most of these pollutants are measured in Flanders by the VMM by either automated or semiautomated methods. Figure 2 gives an overview of the different monitoring locations in Flanders.Figure 2
Map of Flanders, with the spread of monitoring stations for automatic and semiautomatic measurements.The monitoring network for acidification measurement, pertaining to the semiautomatic measurements, has now provided results for 10 years in Flanders and is tending more and more towards ammonia measurements.Processes associated with “acid rain” were identified in the 1960s. Acid deposition, better known as acid rain can be defined as the deposition of sulphur, nitrogen, and ammonia. Acidification, the major removal pathway for secondary pollutants, can occur as wet deposition (in precipitation such as rain, snow and hail), dry deposition (gaseous or aerosol particles), or occult deposition (fog, dew, smoke, and smog). The sum of dry and wet deposition is defined as the total acid deposition [5–7]. On the other hand, equivalent (Eq) is then the unit to measure the level of acidification of pollutants. It permits to compare different acidifying components with each other. One Eq corresponds with 32 g SO2, 46 g NOx, or 17 g NH3. The monitoring network for acid deposition in Flanders comprises nine measuring points for wet and dry potential acid deposition and also ten additional measuring points for ammonia.Precipitation is collected by placing automatic wet-only samplers (Eigenbrodt) in the open field with an orifice diameter of 25.4 cm and activated by resistance-driven or optical sensors (RS 85 and IRSS 88, Eigenbrodt). The use of wet-only samplers, in which the funnel is open to the atmosphere only during precipitation events, is widely practiced in Europe. Precipitation is collected in bottles for two weeks. The amount of precipitation was measured by tipping bucket collectors (C101 A, Lastem) with a 16 cm orifice diameter until 2008. Since 2009, precipitation amounts have been determined with weighing gauges (Pluvio² 200, Ott). The samples are then transferred to the lab and analysed by ion chromatography (Dionex ICS1000) for its chemical composition of a number of ions (NH4+,Na+,K+,Ca2+,Mg2+,F-,Cl-,NO2-,NO3,SO42-,HCO3-,andPO43-). The total wet deposition is then given as the amount of precipitation multiplied by the concentration of the pollutant [8].On the other hand, dry deposition of NH3, SO2, and NO2 is estimated by multiplying the air concentrations derived from passive diffusion sampler measurements by a literature-based values for the dry deposition velocity (vd). The value of vd depends, amongst other factors, on the gas considered, meteorological conditions, surface roughness, and stomatal characteristics and thus varies over time and with vegetation type [9]. Air concentrations are measured with the passive sampling technique, using Radiëllo (Italy) and IVL (Sweden) samplers, to adsorb atmospheric NH3, SO2, and NO2 [10, 11].  Therefore a shelter (for protection from precipitation) is placed at a height of 3 m and in which the samplers are hung in triplicate.  Every two weeks the samplers are collected, transferred to the lab, and then  analysed for NH3, SO2, and NO2 by ion chromatography (Dionex ICS1000). Figure 3 shows average concentrations of acidifying pollutants between 2005 and 2010 across the Flanders region. For NH3 there is a gradual decrease in concentration due to a new agriculture policy (low-emission housing, processing manure, nutritional value, etc.) [12].  For SO2 there is a strong decrease from 2006. This is a result of both the use of cleaner energy and decrease by households. For NO2 the mean values are stable. There are not any concluding remarks about these small differences. All the other pollutants have decreasing concentrations throughout the whole period.Figure 3
Average concentrations of acidifying pollutants between 2005 and 2010 across Flanders. NH3 and SO2 are decreasing, NO2 is stable, and all the other pollutants have decreasing concentrations throughout the whole period.Eventually the total deposition is calculated for the deposition on different vegetation types: coniferous forest, broad-leaved forest, heath, and grassland and a trend analysis is performed (see Figure4). The relative amount of acidifying deposition increases for NH3 (57% to 60%) and NOx (19% to 23%). However Figure 3 shows that average concentrations in Flanders for NH3 are decreasing and for NOx are staying stable. This can be explained by considering the sensitivity of the different vegetation types into the dry deposition measurements.  For SO2, concentration measurements confirm a decrease from 24% to 18% in deposition (see Figures 3 and 4).  Total acidifying deposition decreases throughout the 5 years, with a large decline from 2007 to 2009.Figure 4
Overview of the total deposition from 2005 until 2010 for 4 different vegetation types and the relative amount for each pollutant. The relative amount forNHx and NOy increases, whereas the amount for SOx decreases. Total deposition decreases throughout the 5 years.Additionally, the spread of acidifying deposition is also calculated with a mathematical model, called VLOPS (Vlaams Operationeel model voor Prioritaire Stoffen). This model calculates the concentrations SO2, NO2, and NH3 and depositions SOx, NOy, and NHx for Flanders on a 1×1 km² grid, using emissions estimates and meteorological statistics. Also information on the receptor area is taken into account [13]. In Figure 5 the average Flemish acidified deposition is calculated for 1990, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2008, and 2010. There is decreasing trend until 2008 after which little change is observed. The average total deposition in 2010 (2027 Eq/ha.y) is still higher than de Mina 4 (Flemish environmental policy plan) for 2015 (1800 Eq/ha.y) [14].Figure 5
Average Flemish acidifying depositions ofSOx, NOy, and NHx from 1990 to 2010.The pollutant NH3 is currently a hot topic. The widespread use of ammonia and its derivatives as agricultural nitrogen fertilizers has substantially increased emissions of ammonia to the atmosphere, leading to a wide range of different environmental problems. The current critical level for ammonia in Europe is set at 8 μg/m³ as an annual average concentration [13, 15]. As a result, there has been an evolution in the measurements of acid deposition, in the direction of increased measurements of ammonia in Flanders. Therefore, the VMM is intending to develop a strategy on ammonia measurements on a continuous basis. Our aim is to achieve policy-oriented measurements for general ammonia concentrations in Flanders. The development of this monitoring network on ammonia will include:(i)
a thorough literature research;(ii)
integration with other agencies and neighbouring countries;(iii)
improvement and validation of the model used;(iv)
to do market research on best available techniques for ammonia measurements;(v)
develop source or/and area-oriented measurements.This development will be supported by sample analysis and statistical work.It is also interesting to mention that VMM, together with some other experts, did research on the possibility of using lichens as a bioindicator to measure ammonia concentrations. The results from this research showed that these measurements may be a very interesting, for example, as a tool to measure the influence of ammonia on biodiversity in and around nature reserves. VMM wanted to develop a Flemish index, based on the monitoring of epiphytic lichens in Flanders. Through this index it was envisaged that locations in Flanders (or Belgium) with a yearly average ammonia concentration under the WHO standard (8μg/m3) could be distinguished from the locations in excess of this limit (published soon) [16].



---

*Source: 897308-2011-12-04.xml*