The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) is in charge of the Kosetice Observatory (OKB). It is a central governmental institute of the Czech Republic for the fields of ambient air quality, hydrology, water quality, climatology and meteorology. The Institute has been authorised by the Ministry of Environment to issue meteorological forecasts of possible formation of smog situations; it serves as a centre for the determination of the zones and agglomerations with air pollution limit values exceedances; as an accreditation calibration laboratory for air pollution measurements and a reference centre for air pollution monitoring; a reference centre of air pollution modelling for the purpose of air quality assessment for the Czech Republic; a reference centre for processing emission and air pollution data pursuant to the requirements of the EEC UN Secretariat and for the European community. It serves as a reporting centre on air quality, pursuant to the respective EC legislation on exchange of information and in agreement with the requirements of international agreements. It serves as an administrator and operator of the Air Quality Information System, incl. the operation and development of the Inventory of emissions and air pollution sources. It provides regular information on air quality to general public as well as the relevant documents to the Ministry of Environment and other state administration authorities.

1. Research interest and particular competences 2. Geographical information 3. Meteorological information 4. Instrumentation / Monitoring activities 5. Specific information 6. Institution in charge 7. Contact person 8. Images	download PDF version
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1. RESEARCH INTEREST AND PARTICULAR COMPETENCES

Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) is the Czech Republic´s central governmental organization for the fields of ambient air quality, hydrology, water quality, climatology, and meteorology. Within the scope of its activities, CHMI

- establishes and operates the monitoring stations and national networks for the atmosphere and hydrosphere monitoring in both qualitative and quantitative terms and the causes underlying their pollution or damage,

- analyses the results of observations, measurements and monitoring adhering to the principles of the "acquis communitaire",

- creates and maintains databases on the ambient air quality. CHMI experts have long-term experience with the ambient air pollution assessment, atmospheric chemistry, monitoring networks design and operation, and gathering, processing, analysing, interpretation and visualisation of ambient air quality and meteorological data. The CHMI participates in a range of national and international projects and keeps close working contacts with the related institutions and authorities in Europe and the USA.

The Kosetice Observatory works closely with the Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics (LACP), member of the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals Academy of Sciences in Prague. The Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics of the ICPF carries out both fundamental and applied research in the field of atmospheric aerosols, indoor/outdoor aerosols, nucleation phenomena, synthesis of nanoparticles, and aerosol emission. This is a short description of the particular instruments available at the LACP:

Thermal diffusion cloud chamber (TDCC) TDCC is suitable to various kinds of condensation studies, e.g.: Kinetics of homogeneous nucleation (low rate range 0.1-100 ccm per second), simultaneous thermo- and diffusiophoresis, oscillatory condensation. Available range of working conditions: temperature 243-473 K, pressure 0.1-2 bar (may be extended). TDCC is fully equipped with precise temperature and pressure control and measurement. Counting system allows to both measure the flux of droplets formed and acquire digital images of droplet trajectories. All the software for experiment evaluation is available. Laminar flow diffusion chamber (LFDC) LFDC is primarily intended for kinetics on homogeneous nucleation (middle rates range 100-100 000 ccm per second)It maybe also modified to studies on heterogeneous nucleation and growth LFDC is fully equipped with precise temperature control and measurement. Counting system allows to measure droplet flux at the end of the condenser. A temperature controlled optical cell allows to measure down to 243 K. LFDC was built for ambient pressures but the pressure range may be easily extended. Software for experiment evaluation is available. Ceramic and/or metal (metal oxide) nanoparticle synthesis by CVD method in an externally heated tube flow reactor. Particles are prepared by (hydro) thermal decomposition or oxidation of organometallic precursors under elevated temperatures (high temperature apparatus will be available soon). Besides single component also binary particles can be synthesized by simultaneous decomposition of two precursors. Particle production and characteristics are studied in dependence on process parameters: reactor temperature, precursor concentration(s), reactor flow rate and inlet section reactor geometry. Deposition Chamber The indoor aerosol behavior is studied using 1 cubic meter rectangular deposition chamber.

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2. GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

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3. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

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4. INSTRUMENTATION / MONITORING ACTIVITIES

Click here for an overview of the available instrumentation.

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5. SPECIFIC INFORMATION

a) URL of field site:

http://www.chmi.cz/uoco/isko/tab_roc/tab_roce.html

b) Policy in relation to data availability and data access:

The Air Quality Information System of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute collects and generally provides access to data of air pollution monitoring from the Kosetice Observatory.

c) Access to the facility:

Lodging on the Field Site is possible - for 24 persons. Transportation to the Field Site - bus station 1.5 km from the Site. Technical Assistance off road car (Transport of samples every second week by car to Prague.)

d) Fee for using the facility:

Only overhead cost is charged.

e) Scheduled scientific activities at the site:

EMEP Intensive Campaign 2006 EC/OC measurements at the Kosetice Observatory. 

f) Association to national, European and/or international networks:

GAW/WMO (Global Atmosphere Watch) - Observatory Kosetice - EMEP/ECE (Co-operative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of Long-range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe) - www.emep.int - level II station - ICP-IM (International Co-operative Programme on Integrated Monitoring)- www.vyh.fi/eng/intcoop/projects/icp_im/im.htm

g) Indication on specific issues for which collaboration is sought: 

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6. INSTITUTION IN CHARGE

CHMI focuses on ambient air quality and atmospheric deposition monitoring, data assessment, atmospheric chemistry, dispersion modeling and impact of ambient air pollutants on environment. CHMI has carried out long-term research of links between the meteorological conditions, emission characteristics of sources and the level of ambient air pollution. In the field of modeling the CHMI has developed the model for dispersion studies pursuant to the national Czech legislation, the statistical model for maximum ozone concentrations prediction, and the model for the evaluation of accidental release of dangerous substances and some other special tasks. CHMI develops and implements new methods for regular reporting on air pollution loads (e.g. environmental yearbooks, reports for EU). The proposed research plan would ensure the continuation of the research and development in the above mentioned topics aiming to extend and improve the quality of information provided for the general public, state administration and the European Union authorities.

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7. CONTACT PERSON

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8. IMAGES

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