Title of Project:
International Collaboration and Operational Maintenance Project for the Mt. Lulin and Remote Island Background Monitoring Stations in 2023
Duration:
Jan 21st, 2023 – Jan 20th, 2024
Name of Principle Investigator:
Professor Lin Neng-Huei, Department of Atmospheric Sciences,
College of Earth Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan (ROC)
Abstract of Project:
To concretely implement environmental quality monitoring in the South China Sea, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) conducts air quality monitoring on Dongsha Island and Taiping Island. This aims to expand Taiwan's environmental monitor-ing spatial scale and acquire environmental quality monitoring data in the South China Sea region.
This project includes implementing air pollution monitoring at stations such as Dongsha and Taiping Islands, ensuring data quality through Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures, and maintaining instrument operations. These efforts are crucial for guaranteeing data accuracy. Additionally, the project aims to facilitate collabora-tion with global atmospheric monitoring networks, exchange data, and conduct analyses to enhance the understanding of environmental quality in the South China Sea region.
Outcomes and Milestones:
Monitoring the Impact of Transboundary Pollutants on Taiwan's Environment:
• Joining international monitoring networks such as the United States NOAA Carbon Cycle Greenhouse Gases (CCGG) and NASA AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERO-NET) to align Taiwan's environmental monitoring data with international standards. This involves collaboration on relevant technologies, personnel exchange, and sharing of data and information.
• Collaborating with the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administra-tion (NASA) on Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) monitoring. This includes technical collaboration, personnel exchange, and data sharing to enhance Taiwan's envi-ronmental monitoring in alignment with global standards.
• Collaborating with the United States NOAA to join the Carbon Cycle Greenhouse Gases (CCGG) network for greenhouse gas observation in the Dongsha and Nansha regions.
Greenhouse Gases:
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) shows seasonal variations based on photosynthesis intensity, with concentrations steadily increasing. Average concentrations in 2022 were 421.7 ppm on Dongsha Island and 418.3 ppm on Taiping Island.
• Methane (CH4) decreases in summer due to increased hydroxyl radicals, with con-centrations gradually rising. Average concentrations in 2022 were 1974.9 ppb on Dongsha Island and 1929.7 ppb on Taiping Island.
• Nitrous Oxide (N2O) primarily comes from agricultural activities such as fertilization, with concentrations accumulating in the atmosphere. Average concentrations in 2022 were 336.7 ppb on Dongsha Island and 336.4 ppb on Taiping Island.
• Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) contributes less than 0.2% to the total greenhouse gas ra-tio but shows a continuous increase. Average concentrations in 2022 were 11.6 ppt on Dongsha Island and 11.1 ppt on Taiping Island, with seasonal variations at-tributed to different air mass sources.
Aerosol Optical Depth:
• Dongsha Island: Aerosol Optical Depth (2009-2023) averages 0.27, with high val-ues in spring and autumn, mainly from fine particulate matter (high aerosol index).
• Taiping Island: Aerosol Optical Depth (2012-2023) averages 0.16, with insignificant seasonal variations, consistently lower than Dongsha Island, indicating a marine background value.
