The European Commission atmospheric observatory :2022 report

The mission of the European Commission Atmospheric Observatory is to benchmark the impact of European policies and international conventions on air pollution and climate forcing at critical locations. At the JRC-Ispra site in northern Italy (one of the most polluted regions in Europe), we measure greenhouse gas concentrations (CO2, CH4), radon (222Rn) activity, short-lived gaseous and particulate pollutant concentrations (CO, SO2, NO, NO2, O3, hydrocarbons, NH3, PM2.5 and its main ionic and carbonaceous constituents), atmospheric particle micro-physical characteristics (number concentration and size distribution) and optical properties (light scattering absorption and extinction coefficients in-situ, light scattering and extinction vertical profiles remotely), and eutrophying and acidifying species (sulphate, nitrate, ammonium) wet deposition. Vegetation  atmosphere exchanges (CO2, H2O and heat) are measured at our Mediterranean Forest Flux Station of San Rossore (climate sensitive ecosystem), backed up by meteorological and pedological measurements. Measurements data can be downloaded from the JRC Data Catalogue or international open access data banks. 2022 was very dry and two COVID-19 epidemic waves developed in winter and summer. At the Ispra site, no effect on greenhouse gas concentrations could be detected, but low NO2 and high O3 concentrations were observed. Preliminary data from San Rossore suggest that the Mediterranean pine tree forest was in 2022 a smaller net sink for CO2 compared to previous years due to water shortage.