Performance assessment of air quality monitoring networks. A specific case study and methodological approach

Abstract

This work presents a new methodological approach to evaluating the long-term performance of an existing air quality monitoring network (AQMN). The AQMN is essential in controlling human beings’ exposure to air pollutants, and the performance should be assessed over time. Still, there is not a harmonised method at the legislative level. In this work, 2008–2016 NO2 data recorded by the Community of Madrid’s AQMN were used for developing the suggested methodology, and 2007, 2017, and 2020 NO2 data were involved in testing the aptitude of the proposed methodology to check the performance along the time. Chemometric techniques were employed to suggest the most representative non-redundant fixed stations within the target AQMN, reducing up to ~ 80% of the original number of fixed monitoring stations (from 23 to 5 fixed stations). The influence of the temporal frame used in developing the exposed methodology showed a variability lower than 5%. The spatial NO2 distribution pictured by the current versus recommended fixed stations showed a higher than 95% similarity. This recommended approach can also be applied to short-time data. The exhibited methodology is a valuable tool for supporting AQMN managers in decision-making concerning AQMN management and complementing European Legislation guidelines concerning air pollutants monitoring using AQMN.