THE AIR POLLUTANT EFFECTS  AREA

The main mission of the air pollutant effects area is to study the level of gas pollutants and atmospheric deposition in natural ecosystems and agricultural and fishing systems, and to assess the impacts and risks for vegetation. Atmospheric pollutants measures will be taken with both the continuous emission analyzers and passive samplers developed by the CEAM Foundation. These studies help identify time and spatial patterns, risk areas and to evaluate any surpluses in the critical levels and loads set to protect vegetation, especially for forests in Europe. These studies are conducted mainly within the European initiatives framework, such as the United Nations/ECE International Co-operative Programmes on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) and on Vegetation (ICP-Vegetation). The CEAM Foundation also has an experimental field with OTCs (Open Top Chambers) in which plants are submitted to high ozone concentrations and their effects are studied, along with the interaction of other factors, such as N input and water availability. Various types of bioindicators are also employed for vascular plants and lichens.

Measuring ammonia emissions (and those of other gases like methane) is particularly important for agricultural and fishing systems after fertilizers have been applied to fields by various methods, or for different livestock confinement systems. The results of these studies contribute to propose good practices to minimise the impacts that these activities may have on the environment via the atmosphere.