One of the initiatives of the European Union is the Copernicus programme, which focuses on the comprehensive monitoring of the Earth's environment and atmosphere and information sharing. This ambitious initiative was created to provide research, innovation and information to understand and protect our planet and its resources better.
Overview
The Copernicus programme covers a range of services and domains, from atmospheric monitoring and climate change monitoring to the marine environment, agriculture, energy production and emergency response. Its purpose is to collect, process and share high-quality and up-to-date information that is accessible to both the public and researchers, contributing to better decisions and actions.
More information
- More about Copernicus services
- Air Quality Monitoring in Estonia
- CAMS products in Estonia
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Ongoing projects:
About the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service
The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (hereafter CAMS) is part of the wider Copernicus programme offered by the European Union. CAMS focuses on the comprehensive monitoring of the Earth's atmosphere and the continuous assessment of atmospheric quality and composition. Copernicus atmospheric monitoring services provide important information that affects our daily lives, environment and health.
CAMS covers a wide range of aspects, from monitoring air quality and forecasting air pollution levels to assessing atmospheric composition and greenhouse gas levels. The services rely on extensive data-based monitoring and scientific research to help us understand changes in the atmosphere and their impact on our planet.
CAMS collects information/data from a variety of sources, including satellites, ground-based measuring stations and computational models. It allows us to provide reliable information about air quality, monitor climate change and forecast the future of the atmosphere.
CAMS is important on many levels and helps to protect the environment, fight against climate change and reduce air pollution. These services are also valuable tools for warning about natural disasters such as wildfires or dust storms, giving people time and information to make preparations and keep safe.
One of the most important tasks of CAMS is to monitor the global long-range transport of pollutants. This means that the service can identify where these pollutants come from and how they travel through the air. For example, pollutants from Asia or America can reach Europe as a result of long-range transport, affecting the air quality and environment there.
CAMS is not limited to monitoring; it also provides forecasts on the movement of pollutants and air quality in the future. It allows entrepreneurs, politicians and ordinary people to make informed decisions that affect their activities and quality of life.
Overall, CAMS is an important tool to help monitor, analyse and forecast air quality and the movement of pollutants both in Europe and globally, thereby promoting environmental conservation and human health protection.
In Estonia, the Estonian Environmental Research Centre (EKUK) carries out ground measurements of ambient air and its task is to manage the national ambient air monitoring network.
Forecast of PM2.5 particle concentration and distribution
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CAMS forecast for PM2.5 particle concentration and distribution. By default, the region is set to Northern Europe.
The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service provides information on fine particles (PM2.5). Fine particles (with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) primarily originate in various combustion processes, including landscape fires, transport emissions and chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Fine particles can easily be released into the air and remain in the air for a long time.
The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service monitors the concentration and distribution of PM2.5 particles in the atmosphere. This is very important because PM2.5 particles can be hazardous to human health. Due to their small size, they can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, causing breathing difficulties, heart disease and other health problems.
The data and forecasts of the service on the possible distribution of PM2.5 particles are helpful in taking measures to reduce air pollution and protect human health. This may include measures for improving air quality such as emission reductions, urban planning and health awareness campaigns.
The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service thus helps to increase awareness of the impact of PM2.5 particles and enables a quick and effective response to air pollution-related problems. As a result, air quality and people's health and well-being can be improved. The applicable Estonian air quality limit and target values are available here.
Forecast of carbon monoxide concentration and distribution
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CAMS forecast for CO concentration and distribution. By default, the region is set to Northern Europe.
The carbon monoxide (CO) product shows how much carbon monoxide is present in a specific environment or location. Carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless gas that is produced mainly in combustion processes, such as car emissions and industrial facilities.
High concentration of carbon monoxide in the environment can be harmful to human health, as its inhalation can cause breathing difficulties and even health hazards. Higher levels of carbon monoxide indicate that there are more pollutants in the air.
Therefore, it is important to monitor carbon monoxide concentrations to ensure good air quality and prevent health problems. It is also important in assessing environmentally friendly and energy-efficient activities, as carbon monoxide emissions are associated with the burning of fossil fuels and may affect climate change. Thus, the carbon monoxide product is a tool to help understand air quality and environmental impact and enable informed decision-making to protect health and the environment.
The CAMS carbon monoxide forecast can be monitored at different altitudes. Below is carbon monoxide forecast information at an altitude of 5.5 km.
Carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations at an altitude of 5.5 kilometres can vary depending on a variety of factors, including geographic location, season and nearby source. However, atmospheric CO concentrations are usually relatively low at this altitude. Higher in the atmosphere, such as at a height of 5.5 kilometres, the concentration of CO is often smaller than it is lower on the ground because most of these emissions stay closer to the ground.
Forecast of aerosol concentration and distribution
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CAMS forecast for aerosol concentration and distribution. By default, the region is set to Northern Europe.
Atmospheric aerosols are particles of gas and small solid or liquid droplet particles that float in the atmosphere. They can originate as desert dust, volcanic eruptions and forest fires and they also occur as a result of human activity. CAMS daily forecasts provide values for total aerosols and separately for sea salt, desert dust, organic matter, soot and sulfate aerosols.
CAMS offers five-day forecasts.