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In this paper, we adopt information infrastructure design principles and concepts from the theory of critical mass to analyze and evaluate the socio-technical conditions that hindered the successful bootstrapping processes of a crowdsourcing tool for environmental research. The crowdsourcing tool was designed to improve the estimation of emissions from burning wood for residential heating in urban areas in Norway by collecting geolocation data on wood consumption and stove types. Our analysis identifies three groups of users, namely scientists, wood consumers (end users), and key stakeholders, that the IT capability of the tool needs to support. At this stage, we determined that the tool was more useful to the scientists than the other two groups, which was attributed to its low uptake. We uncovered various underlying issues through further analysis of means by which the tool becomes useful to key stakeholders. One particular issue concerned the tension between existing data collection practices, which are based on statistical methods, and the nature of crowdsourcing, which is based on the principle of open call with no sampling techniques. From our analysis, we concluded that developing crowdsourcing tools for research requires increasing the tool’s benefits for key stakeholders by addressing these underlying issues. Inferring from the theory of critical mass for collective action, we recommend that developers of crowdsourcing tools include a function that allows users to view the contributions of other users.

This report documents the final deliveries of the first phase of development of the Norwegian Air Quality Planning Tool, also called “Nasjonalt Beregningsverktøy” or NBV. The main purpose of NBV is to provide a common methodological and information platform for local air quality modelling applications. The system is addressed to local and regional environmental authorities, air quality experts and consulting companies. It is intended to help them meet the requirements of current air quality legislation, to support local air quality planning and facilitate air quality good practices where people live. The report constitutes a comprehensive user guide for the NBV services available at http://www.luftkvalitet-nbv.no. It presents each of the different products developed at NBV, documents how the product has been calculated, provides recommendations on how best to use it for planning purposes and explains the main strengths and limitations of each product. The report also includes an extensive validation of the air quality information currently available at NBV. Beregningsverktøyet er utviklet som et samarbeid mellom NILU – Norsk institutt for luftforskning og Meteorologisk institutt (MET), under ledelse av Miljødirektoratet og i samarbeid med Vegdirektoratet, Helsedirektoratet og Folkehelseinstituttet. Arbeidet begynte i 2014 på oppdrag fra Klima- og miljødepartementet (KLD), Samferdselsdepartementet (SD) og Helse- og omsorgsdepartementet (HOD). Denne rapporten beskriver produktene som er tilgjengelige på web-portalen http://www.luftkvalitet-nbv.no og dokumenterer metoder og data som er benyttet i utarbeidelsen av de ulike produktene. Rapporten beskriver også kort hvordan de ulike produktene bør brukes og peker på mulige anvendelser og begrensninger. Alle data på web-portalen er åpent tilgjengelig for alle og kan lastes ned til videre bruk.

In this report, we describe the MetVed model developed to estimate emissions from residential wood combustion (RWC) at high spatial-temporal resolution. The model uses a downscaling method approach, which builds on bottom-up principles and derive a wood burning potential for each grid based on the housing type, size and heating technology, energy demand and outdoor temperature of each grid. The model builds on the combination of several databases with information at high level of detail. The databases contain geo-localised information about dwelling number and type, energy consumption statistics, fireplace and stove locations, and the available technology for residential heating. The datasets are combined and the dependencies between the different variables are analysed. MetVed includes the time variation for RWC based on the heating degree concept combined with time-variation from consumer statistics, and the vertical distribution based on the RWC shared in apartment buildings versus houses. The results from the MetVed-model have shown to improve the accuracy of dispersion modelling results when compared with predictions based on previous emission inventories. I denne rapporten beskriver vi MetVed-modellen. Denne modellen estimerer vedfyringsutslipp med høy oppløsning. Metved-modellen kombinerer nedskalering med bottom-up prinsipper for å estimere vedfyringspotensiale i modellgrid. Den baserer seg på boligtyper, størrelse, oppvarmingsteknologi, energibehov og utendørs temperatur. Modellen baserer seg på å kombinere flere databaser med høyt detaljert informasjon. Databasene inneholder boligtall og boligtyper med 250 meters romlig oppløsning, statistikk av energibruk i husholdninger, plassering av ildsteder som punktkilder, og geografisk posisjon av boliger med informasjon om boligtyper og tilgjengelige teknologier for oppvarming i husholdningene. Databasene blir i MetVed-modellen kombinert og forhold mellom ulike variabler analysert. MetVed-modellen inkluderer en tidsvarisjon av vedforbruket som baserer seg på oppvarmingsgradkonseptet kombinert med tidsvariasjon fra forbrukerstatistikk. Vertikalfordeling av utslippene baserer seg på vedforbruk fordelt på leiligheter og hus (enebolig, tomannsbolig og rekkehus). Resultater fra spredningsmodellberegninger viser at utslippsdata fra MetVed-modellen gir bedre samsvar med målinger enn spredningsberegninger basert på utslipp fra tidligere metoder for å estimere vedfyringsutslipp.

This report documents the methodology used to compile air quality information for the year 2015 in seven Norwegian municipality areas under the first phase of development of the Norwegian Air Quality Planning Tool, also called “Nasjonalt Beregningsverktøy” or NBV. It follows a similar structure to and complements the final report entitled “Air quality in 7 Norwegian municipalities in 2015 – Summary report for NBV results” (NILU rapport 21/2017) where information on air quality in the seven main city areas in Norway was presented. This report constitutes a user guide for the NBV-services, available at http://www.luftkalitet-nbv.no, in municipal areas. It provides recommendations on how to best use each product for air quality planning purposes and explains the main strengths and limitations of the results. The NBV air quality data for municipalities is subject to larger uncertainties than the data available for the main Norwegian city areas and this has to be taken into consideration when analyzing the results. Denne rapporten dokumenterer metodene som ble brukt for å samle inn og utarbeide informasjon om luftkvalitet for 2015 i syv norske tettsteder under første fase av utviklingen av det norske planleggingsverktøyet for luftkvalitet, også kalt "Nasjonalt Beregningsverktøy" eller NBV. Rapporten utfyller sluttrapporten "Luftkvalitet i 7 norske byer i 2015 - Evalueringsrapport for NBV-resultater" (NILU rapport 21/2017) og følger en lignende struktur. Rapporten gir brukerveiledning for NBV-tjenestene som er tilgjengelige for tettsteder på http://www.luftkalitet-nbv.no. Den beskriver også kort hvordan de ulike produktene bør brukes og peker på mulige anvendelser og begrensninger. NBV-luftkvalitetsdata for kommuner og tettsteder er mer usikre enn de dataene som er tilgjengelige for de viktigste norske byområdene, og dette må tas i betraktning ved analyse av resultatene.

In the SHIPMATE project, we have carried out measurements of a large number of pollutants and aerosol components at the Mt. Zeppelin observatory during 2014 and 2015, with focus on the summer period (April to September). The aims were 1) identification of the particulate matter (PM) contribution from ship emissions by source apportionment and 2) isolation of data records influenced by local ship emissions in order to preserve the usefulness of the observatory for regional trends of atmospheric constituents. A total of 8 potentially ship-influenced 3-day sampling intervals were found in the analysis of the wind direction record and the harbour calls from Ny-Ålesund (2014 and 2015). The local shipping pollution contributed significantly (≥50%) to the concentration levels of certain heavy metals such as Cu, Ni, Zn and Cd during the two summers. This is supported by the enrichment factors analysis. However, the influence of local pollution from shipping on the measurements carried out at the Mt. Zeppelin observatory is rather infrequent. I SHIPMATE‐prosjektet er det gjennomført målinger av en rekke forurensningskomponenter og aerosoler på Mt. Zeppelin observatoriet i løpet av 2014 og 2015. Målet for prosjektet var 1) å kartlegge hvor mye skipstrafikken bidrar til de observerte svevestøv‐nivåene og 2) identifisere tidsrom i eksisterende tidsserier som i betydelig grad er påvirket av lokale utslipp fra skipstrafikken. Det siste er viktig for at tidsserien skal kunne benyttes for å studere regionale trender for ulike forurensningskomponenter i atmosfæren. Basert på en vurdering av gunstig vindretning mot målestasjonen med samtidige skipsanløp til Ny‐Ålesund, er det identifisert alt åtte 3‐dagers episoder hvor utslipp fra skipsfart påvirker datagrunnlaget. I disse episodene bidro utslipp fra skipstrafikken med ca. 50% av konsentrasjoner av følgende tungmetaller: Cu, Ni, Zn og Cd. Disse resultatene understøttes av en berikelsesfaktoranalyse av prøvene. Forekomst av episoder hvor skipstrafikk påvirker målingene ved målestasjonen på Mt. Zeppelin forekommer derimot sjeldent.

Utslipps- og spredningsberegninger for Oslo Lufthavn i 2016 viser at de største NOX-utslippene kommer fra fly i «take-off»- modus og landingsmodus, men disse utslippene har liten innvirkning på konsentrasjonene i bakkenivå. De høyeste konsentrasjonene av NO2 forekommer inne på flyplassen og er av samme størrelse som i sentrum av middelstore norske byområder. Det største konsentrasjonsbidraget kommer fra flyene. Konsentrasjonen av partikler er i høy grad bestemt av bakgrunnskonsentrasjonen, ikke lokale utslipp fra flyplassen. Forekomst av lukt rundt flyplassen kan forklares ved utslipp av hydrokarboner, der det største utslippet kommer fra fly i taxi-modus. Forekomst av sverting på husfasader er undersøkt, og skyldes hovedsakelig svertesopp. Bruk av avisningsvæske med glykol er den mest sannsynlige årsaken til påvirkning av overflatespenning på ferskvann rundt flyplassen. Modelling of emission and dispersion shows that the largest emissions of NOX are caused by airplanes during take-off and final approach, but these emissions have little impact on ground level concentrations. The highest modelled concentration levels are located within the airport area, and are of similar size as concentrations modelled in central areas of Norwegian medium sized cities. The largest contribution comes from the aircrafts. The concentration of PM is largely decided by the background contribution. Occurrence of odour in the vicinity of the airport can be explained by the emission of hydrocarbons from aircraft in taxi-modes. Occurrence of darkening on house walls in vicinity of and further away from the airport has been investigated. It is mainly caused by growth of fungus. Investigation of possible impact from airport activity on fresh water bodies indicate that the glycol content in the use of de-icing of aircraft has the largest potential impact.

This report is part of the development of a National Modelling System for local air quality (“Nasjonalt Beregningsverktøy” or NBV project). We describe and document the emission database used as baseline in the NBV project (i.e. NBV_Emission_Database v.0) and the preliminary emission estimates. This report presents NOx and PM10 emission estimates for Bergen, Drammen, Grenland, Oslo, Trondheim and Stavanger, and the breakdown among sectors. The report emphasizes on the need for update emissions. The developments carried out in 2015 and described in this report involves i) the traffic sector through the development of application to retrieve data; ii) the residential heating sector by updating emissions from wood burning; and iii) the update of shipping emissions. The updated emissions will constitute the NBV_Emission_Database v.1, which better represents current situation, is consistent regarding the methods used to estimate emissions, and completes identified gaps. Our study highlight the importance of updating regularly emissions inventories.

This report is part of the development of a National Modelling System for local air quality (the “Nasjonalt Beregningsverktøy” or NBV project). The work focussed on the methods to estimate emissions and identified the main information sources of the needed input data for emissions. This report presents the most common methods to determine emissions and includes recommendations for future improvement of the emission calculations. The main purpose of the report is to identify the most relevant sources of emission information and the emission input data requirements necessary for modelling air quality in Norwegian cities and agglomerations.

Each of NILU’s Strategic Institute Initiatives (SIS) is required to deliver a popular science report annually to the Research Council. This report contains all of NILU’s annual SIS-reports for 2014

This report is part of the project “Developing the programme of measures for the Estonian marine area in compliance with the requirements of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, including feasibility study on using LNG as an alternative ship fuel to reduce pollution”. This report presents and assesses the available information regarding pollutant emission factors (NOx, particulate matter, organic compounds) for ships using Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) as fuel. This evaluation, based on a literature review, will support the selection of scenarios for using LNG along with the information from the feasibility study performed within the project. Denne rapporten er en del av prosjektet “Developing the programme of measures for the Estonian marine area in compliance with the requirements of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, including feasibility study on using LNG as an alternative ship fuel to reduce pollution”. Rapporten presenterer og vurderer tilgjengelig informasjon vedrørende utslippsfaktorer for relevante forurensningskomponenter (NOx, partikler, organiske forbindelser) for skip som bruker flytende naturgass som drivstoff. Evalueringen er basert på en litteraturgjennomgang og vil støtte valg av scenarioer for bruk av LNG sammen med informasjonen fra mulighetsstudien utført innenfor prosjektet.

An evaluation of the air quality in Norway over the last five years has been performed to set up the basis for a new Air Quality zone (AQ-zone) delimitation for reporting to European Commission concerning compliance of air quality directives. Air pollution levels (i.e. PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, benzene, heavy metals, B(a)P) have been assessed regarding exceedances of limit values, target values, Norwegian national targets, and upper/lower assessment thresholds (UAT/LAT) defined for the protection of human health, vegetation and/or natural ecosystems. The results from this evaluation complemented with information regarding background concentration levels in Norway have been used to define a new delimitation: 1) AQ-zone delimitation for PM10, NO2, NOx, benzene and B(a)P, 2) AQ-zone delimitation for SO2 and heavy metals, 3) AQ-zone delimitation for ozone and 4) AQ-zone delimitation for CO.

Concentrations of NO2, O3, SO2, acetic and formic acids, HNO3 and NH3 were measured inside and outside a historical building, the Baroque Library Hall (BLH) in the National Library in Prague (Czech Republic). The relationship between indoor and outdoor (I/O) concentration was investigated to assess the infiltration of outdoor generated pollutants. Outdoor and indoor pollution sources were determined and, infiltration of ammonium nitrate and a shift of the equilibrium to the gas phase were the reason for the high concentration of ammonia measured inside the BLH. A significant seasonal variation was observed and interpreted as a consequence of different infiltration regime associated with indoor-outdoor temperature differences, which in addition drives dilution processes of indoor generated pollutants. Based on the indoor air quality assessment performed in the BLH with regard to human and material exposure, there is reason for concern about material preservation and in particular paper at the BLH.