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Acid Deposition Mornitoring Network in East Asia
(EANET)
BACKGROUND:
Sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides are released
into the atmosphere by combustion of fossil fuels. These oxides
are transformed into sulfuric and nitric acids by a complex series
of chemical reactions. They are removed from the atmosphere to earth's
surface by both wet and dry deposition processes. The resulting
acid deposition causes serious environmental damage to aquatic and
terrestrial ecosystems, cultural properties and buildings. The East
Asia region, as a result of rapid industrialization faces increasing
risks of problems related to excess deposition of acidic substances.
Experts from East Asia met from 1993 - 1997 to discuss the acid
deposition monitoring issues. Based on the findings of the experts,
the First Intergovernmental Meeting (IG) to establish the Acid Deposition
Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) was held in March 1998 in
Yokohama, Japan. Based on the agreement of the First IG, the preparatory-phase
activities for EANET started in April 1998 The Second Session of
IG held in 2002 concluded that the preparatory-phase activities
has been successful and decided to start the monitoring on a regular
basis from January 2001 based on the "Joint Announcement on
the Implementation of EANET" and the "Tentative Design
of EANET".
OBJECTIVES:
- To create a common understanding of the state of acid deposition
problems in East Asia
- To provide useful inputs for decision-making at the local, national,
and regional levels aimed at preventing, or reducing adverse impacts
on the environment caused by acid deposition and
- To contribute to cooperation on the issues related to acid deposition
among the participating countries.
PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia,
Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
STRUCTURE OF EANET:
 Intergovernmental
Meeting (IG)
Composed of representatives of the participating countries and
make decisions on implementation of the network
- Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)
Composed of scientists and technical experts that advise and support
the network on scientific and technical issues.
- Secretariat
Secretariat is based at UNEP, RRC.AP and coordinate the activities
of EANET, prepare for EANET meetings and make necessary administrative
and financial arrangement and management for activities of the
network.
- Network Center (NC)
NC is based in Niigatta, Japan and provide technical support to
the monitoring network of EANET.
- National Focal Points (NFP)
Each participating governments nominated NFPs to implement the
EANET activities at the national level. NFPs appointed National
Centers for conducting the air quality monitoring activities.
National Quality Control Managers have also been appointed by
the NFP to ensure the data quality.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES
- Implementation of acid deposition monitoring by using common
methodologies, namely: wet deposition monitoring; dry deposition
monitoring; soil and vegetation monitoring; and inland aquatic
environment monitoring;
- Compilation, evaluation, storage and provision of data obtained
through the EANET monitoring;
- Promotion of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) activities
to obtain high quality monitoring data;
- Preparation and publication of periodic reports on the state
of acid deposition in East Asia;
- Promotion of research and studies related to acid deposition;
and
- Other activities necessary to achieve the objectives of the
Network.
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