Well-designed information support to facilitate decision-making processes is
essential for the deployment of measures intended to improve the quality of the
air in particular, and of the environment in general. In respect of air quality
control regular, nation-wide assessment of air quality based on systematic
monitoring and evaluation of air pollution data, precipitation quality data and
emission data has become part of the standard service provided by the Czech
Hydrometeorological Institute. An extensive set of tools for monitoring and
objective assessment of air quality and its development in the territory of the
Czech Republic has been created, and is being constantly upgraded. In addition
to assessments, studies, research reports and other documents prepared to meet
specific purposes and requirements, it is the set of instruments for objective
assessment, as developed and made available on a systematic basis, which
constitutes the fundamental part of information support for the air quality
control.
One of the key components of this set of air quality monitoring and assessment
tools is the Air Quality Information System (ISKO); one of the regular outputs
of processing, on an annual basis, the data collected over the year in the ISKO
database consists of the summary annual tabular survey Air Pollution and
Atmospheric Deposition in Data, the Czech Republic (hereinafter the Tabular
Survey), and this Yearbook, Air Pollution in the Czech Republic. These annual
surveys are intended mainly for use by institutions and organisations concerned
with the air and environment protection in this country. They are provided free-of-charge
to state administration bodies concerned with air protection (the Ministry of
the Environment of the Czech Republic, Regional Offices of the Ministry of the
Environment, Environmental Departments of the regional authorities and of local
authorities in basic administrative units with enlarged competencies, and the
Czech Environmental Inspectorate, including its Regional Inspectorates), to all
agencies that contribute to the ISKO database, including the Regional Public
Health Services and Health Institutes, and to other selected entities. Every
effort is made to improve and extend both the Tabular Survey and the Yearbook
every year, with emphasis on information quality, data interpretation and formal
aspects, based on our own knowledge and experience and the users comments.
This Yearbook presents comprehensively in the form of tables, graphs and maps a
summary overview of the status of air quality, including assessment of
atmospheric deposition. While the Tabular Survey, which is published regularly
before the Yearbook, provides an objective presentation of verified air
pollution data and data on the chemical composition of atmospheric precipitation
at individual localities, this Yearbook is focused mainly on map presentation
showing the countrys territory loads caused by air pollution.
The assessment of ambient air quality is treated pursuant to the valid national
legislation (Clean Air Act No. 86/2002 Coll. as amended [7] and Government Order
No. 350/2002 Coll. as amended [8]) meeting the EU directives. The evaluation is
carried out with regard to human health protection and the protection of
ecosystems and vegetation respectively. This is the necessary prerequisite for
the definition of areas with deteriorated air quality for which programmes aimed
at the improvement of air quality or regulatory codes are required by the new
legislation.
The evaluation of spatial distribution of air pollution characteristics
presented in the Yearbook serves as the basis for mapping and listing the areas
with deteriorated air quality pursuant to Clean Air Act. Starting from 2004 the
mapping of air quality characteristics on the territory of the Czech Republic
uses 1x1 km grids. The maps are created on the basis of input data (i.e.
measured values).
In 2003 the national ambient air monitoring network was significantly changed in
order to meet the requirements of the new legislation. The scope of the
monitored pollutant increased, there were changes in the number of stations
monitoring different pollutants, and several stations have been relocated. The
reconstruction of the monitoring network was finished in 2004.
In the localities where there is no measurement the model-based data or experts
estimates are used. The maps are produced in cooperation with the specialists
from CHMI branch offices who are acquainted with the detailed situation in the
given region. The result maps of individual air quality characteristics are
summed up into the maps of overall air quality assessment with regard to health
protection and ecosystem and vegetation protection. On the basis of these
summary maps the tables are produced and sent to the Ministry of the Environment
as background materials for defining the areas with deteriorated air quality.
In conclusion, it should be noted that this publication, and particularly the
database on which it relies have only been made possible thanks to the efforts
of numerous individuals, the staff of the Institutes branches; of its Air
Quality Protection Divisions laboratories; and of cooperating organisations. In
addition to the data obtained from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institutes own
network and from the health institutes, the ISKO air pollution database receives
and stores every year data from ČEZ, a.s.; the Forest Management and Gamekeeping
Research Institute; Czech Geological Survey (ČGÚ); Water Management Research
Institute (VÚV), Research Institute of Plant Production (VÚRV) and from stations
of municipal authorities. Since 1996, data for the German part of the former
Black Triangle provided by Landesamt fr Umwelt und Geologie, Dresden, stored
and presented in the ISKO air pollution database, have also been included both
in the Tabular Survey and in this Yearbook. Since 1997 data from the border area
for the Polish part provided by Wojewodski Inspektorat Ochrony Srodowiska in
Jelenia Gora have been exchanged likewise.
The responsibility for the collection and verification of data entered in the
register of emissions from extra large and large pollution sources, REZZO 1,
rests with the Czech Environmental Inspectorate. The collection and verification
of data on emissions from medium-sized sources monitored within the REZZO 2,
which represents a wide-scope activity, is the responsibility of the municipal
authorities with extended competences. The data for inventories of emissions
from mobile sources were processed by the experts from the Transport Research
Centre (CDV) Brno. Basic topographic data were made available to the Czech
Hydrometeorological Institute in a digitised form by the Military Topographic
Institute in Dobruška. Important information was received from the Czech
Statistical Office and other institutions.
The Yearbook has been prepared and edited by a team of authors and editors of
the Air Quality Protection Division of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute,
particularly from the Air Quality Information System Department, the Department
of Emissions and Sources, the Department of Modelling and Experts Reports and
the Department of Impact and Risk Assessment, including the colleagues from CHMI
regional offices. Assistance and important technical support have been provided
by IDEA-ENVI, Ltd.
Prague, August 2006
Ing. Jaroslav Šantroch , CSc.
Deputy Director for Air Quality Protection
