Large-scale monitoring in environmental geochemistry

Transboundary pollution as well as more nationally related pollution is an increasing problem. In order to determine the amount of pollution, monitoring is used. Geochemistry as a subject is involved in this monitoring and should become even more involved. This paper presents data on the different types of monitoring used mainly in Europe but also in other parts of the world and will discuss the extent to which environmental geochemistry can become involved in the programmes. The longer a series of measurements is, the more useful it becomes. Long series of environmental data make it easier to distinguish natural from anthropogenic environmental changes, for example. The monitoring results can be used as a basis for decision-making, such as decisions to ban the use and emission of harmful substances. GEMS (Global Environmental Monitoring System), EMEP (Co-operative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Long-Range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe) and AMAP (Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme) are demonstrated.