ECO-Bridge 1 The Programme is funded by the European Union, the Russian Federation and the Republic of

JOINT CROSS-BORDER ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEM – LESSONS LEARNT AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF ECO-BRIDGE PROJECT FINAL REPORT

Partners: ANO Energy Efficiency Centre Karelian Center for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (KarCHEM) Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) Finnish Meteorological Institute Arbonaut Ltd

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION...... 2

1. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ECO-BRIDGE PROJECT IN WATER AND AIR QUALITY MONITORING...... 4 1.1 Comparison of measurement methods and tools...... 4 1.1.1 Joint intercalibration in the Tohmajoki river on the Russian side...... 4 1.1.2 One-line water quality measurements on the Russian side...... 13 1.1.3 Online phosphate phosphorus measurements on the Finnish side...... 25 1.1.4 On-line air quality measurements on the Finnish side...... 25 1.2 Electronic and web-based tools for data presenting and analyses on both sides of the border...... 33 2. PLANS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS...... 42 2.1 Spatial coverage and parameters...... 42 2.2 Maintenance systems in on-line monitoring...... 45 2.3 Recommendations for monitoring water quality and quantity...... 47 INTRODUCTION

The main idea of ECO-bridge project is The following partners worked on related to the accuracy, accessibility and building a kind of «bridge» between the promptness of environmental monitoring monitoring systems in Karelia and Finland in data. Another issue is the lack of compatibility the framework of ECO-bridge project: of the data obtained by Finnish and Russian researchers, which makes comparison quite difficult. Another significant problem we are 1. 1. Autonomous non-profit organization striving to solve within the project is the Energy Efficiency Centre (ANO EEC), one lack of automated data collection at existing of the most active non-governmental surface water quality observation points that organizations with experience of working leads to the following consequences: as a coordinator and/or partner in several international projects in the field of energy-efficiency, housing, nature 1. Impossibility of providing the necessary protection, ecology and communal up-to-date information (data) for services development. controlling organisations, federal and regional authorities, other stakeholders and population. 2. Due to the lack of automated equipment for permanent pollution control, the 2. Karelian Centre for Hydrometeorology frequency of obtaining data is only once a and Environmental Monitoring (Karelian quarter. Thus, such the frequency of data CHEM), the organisation responsible receipt may cause emergency situations; for the state environmental monitoring system in Karelia. This organization is a 3. The population of Karelia, in general, is not part of the All-Russian Federal Service for sufficiently informed about the water and Hydrometeorology and Environmental the air quality. The population does not Monitoring (Roshydromet). The Karelian have the opportunity to receive relevant Centre for Hydrometeorology and information quickly and on permanent Environmental Monitoring has its own basis, for example, from Internet resources. state network of monitoring stations

ECO-Bridge 3 for water objects and the atmosphere as training and expert support for the in Karelia and the Laboratory for authorities and other parties within the Environmental Monitoring. It provides environmental field. observations of the state and pollution of the atmosphere, surface water and radioactivity. For today the monitoring network of Roshydromet comprise 28 4. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) is water objects (21 rivers, 5 lakes and 2 the official expert authority on air quality water reservoirs). in Finland. The FMI is a weather service and research institute working under the Ministry of Transport and Communication of Finland. The FMI operates meteorological, air quality, radioactivity 3. Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) is and space weather observation networks, a multidisciplinary research and expert delivers meteorological service to the institute working under the Ministry of the society and conducts research in these Environment and Ministry of Agriculture fields of science. and Forestry in Finland. SYKE’s Freshwater Centre is responsible for the monitoring and assessment of the quantitative and qualitative variations of water resources, the status of surface and ground water 5. Arbonaut Ltd., an IT company that together bodies and various biological variables. with SYKE has developed an open source The Laboratory Centre fulfils SYKE’s web GIS platform, named Vesinetti, which function as the national reference provides an information infrastructure laboratory in the environmental field for operational and interactive use and under the Environmental Protection exchange of data and models, including Act. Its duties include providing external estimation of nutrient loading as well as quality assessments (proficiency testing), its ecological impacts and cost-efficiency standardization of methods, as well of management measures.

ECO-Bridge 4 ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ECO-BRIDGE PROJECT 1 IN WATER AND AIR QUALITY MONITORING

1.1 COMPARISON OF MEASUREMENT car (at a distance of about 50 meters) where METHODS AND TOOLS the sample was divided into sample bottles. 1.1.1 Joint intercalibration in the The following variables were measured Tohmajoki river on the Russian side from the split water sample: Nutrients Sampling and methods of analysis m NH4-N (ammonium nitrogen) Interlaboratory comparative tests m PO4-P (phosphate phosphorus) (intercalibrations) were carried out during m NO2-N+NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen and 24.01-28.02.2019. Participants were analytical nitrate nitrogen as sum or separately) laboratories of Savo-Karjala Environment m Total P (total phosphorus) laboratory in (Finland) and in m Total N (total nitrogen) (Finland), and KarCHEM laboratory of environmental pollution (the Republic Metals of Karelia, ). In sampling Finnish m Total Fe (total iron) participants were from Finnish Environment m Total Mn (total manganese) Institute (SYKE). Suspended solids Primary objective was to compare the m Mass concentration of solids in a liquid, analytical methods used by the participating normally determined by filtration or laboratories and how comparable are results centrifuging and then drying all under of water quality variables. Samples were specified conditions. taken together with same method. Besides, Participants used same standard methods synthetic control samples prepared by both that they are using in daily operations partners were analyzed without knowing the (Table 6). KarCHEM used test methods that original concentration. they have certificate for (Accreditation The grab sampling took place in Russia certificate RA.RU.511024 of 12.08.2015). Savo- at a cross-border watercourse Tohmajoki Karjala Environment laboratory is accredited river by representatives of KarCHEM and (SFS-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005) and uses SFS- SYKE on 23.01.2019. Joint water sampling of ISO standard methods. natural river water was performed according Preparation and exchange of control to the Russian guideline 52.24.309-2016 samples with fixed concentrations of «Arrangement and holding of routine ingredients and schemes for analyses: observations of the state and pollution of land surface waters». m Control samples of KarCHEM were made The river was opened with an ice-drill and from the standard (state-approved) the hole was cleaned from the ice with an samples corresponding the measured enamel strainer. The sample was taken with ingredients. a five-liter, enameled bucket and carried to a m The lists of control samples with labels

ECO-Bridge 5 (number of sample) and assigned levels Control samples of ingredients are presented in tables 2 Control samples prepared by KarCHEM and 3. for Savo-Karjala were provided with m The participants of intercalibration enclosed instructions for preparation exchanged control at a work meeting in of control samples from basic solutions. on 23.01.2019. Nevertheless, this proposed procedure was m The results of qualitative chemical not implemented by laboratories Kuopio and analyses performed by both laboratories Joensuu that analyzed basic solutions. participating in intercalibration are The results of the analysis of the control presented in tables 4 and 5. samples can be considered satisfactory for most parameters taking into account the confidence intervals of margins of error set for the analysis methods used. Results and conclusions Due to the fact, that the laboratory of The full procedure for intercalibration Kuopio did not dilute the control samples of the analysis of all control samples was with distilled water according the instructions performed by laboratories of KarCHEM of KarCHEM, all the other parameters (except and SAVO-Karjala Environmental Research PO4-P) were on the same level than the non- laboratory in Kuopio. diluted Russian control samples. Result of Separate analyses for NH4-N and NO2- PO4-P was clearly higher than the assigned N+NO3-N was performed in SAVO-Karjala concentration in the non-diluted sample Environmental Research laboratories in (Table 4). Kuopio and Joensuu. KarCHEM analysed Analytical results of synthetic samples NH4-N and NO3-N separately. prepared by Savo-Karjala are in Table 5. Total Unsatisfactory comparability of P result of KarCHEM is clearly higher than measurement was revealed for several the original concentration. Total Fe result of ingredients (Table 1). KarCHEM is lower than the original result. Significant discrepancies in measurement of the content of manganese, suspended Recommendations solids, ammonium nitrogen and phosphorus It is recommended that KarCHEM would were revealed. take apart to Proftest organized by SYKE The differences in results are partly linked laboratory. All Finnish laboratories take part to the differences of sample preparation and to these tests and sometime also laboratories analysis methods. For instance, suspended in other countries. Annual schemes of solids were filtered from water using different proficiency tests and intercomparison tests types of filters: in KarCHEM 0.45 µm pore size are published on SYKE website filter and in Savo-Karjala glass fiber filter was Differences in sample preparation and used. The latter allows small particles, with analytical methods of natural water in Finnish size greater than 0.45 µm, wash away from laboratories and KarCHEM should be studied analysis. in more detail. A result of manganese analyzes depends KarCHEM does not yet have an analytical essentially of how much Mn degrades methodfor total nitrogen. It is a basic water from particles in natural water. There is no quality variable and important indicator for difference between results of control samples (Table 5) but results of Mn concentration in nutrient status of natural waters and thus it river water differ remarkably (Table 1). is very recommended that KarCHEM would have it.

ECO-Bridge 6 Fig. 1 Sampling at Tohmajoki River.

ECO-Bridge 7 Table 1. Results of analysis of a split sample of surface water of Tohmajoki river

Kuopio Joensuu KarCHEM

Variable Confidence interval of the result µg/l Result µg/l of Margin % error Result µg/l of Margin % error Result µg/l of Margin % error NH4-N 41.7 13 43.4 12 24± 10 41 14 - 34 PO4-P 9.3 12 - - 13 ± 3 23 10 - 16 NO2-N+NO3-N 210 8 213 15 242 ± 64 26 178 - 306 Total P 22.6 15 - - 34 ± 6 17 28 - 40 Total N 688 15 - - - - - Total Fe 1130 10 - - 1420 ± 10 1270 - 1570 150 Total Mn 27.6 10 - - 99 ± 13 13 86 - 112 Suspended 1080 8 - - 6950 ± 57 2950 - 10950 solids*) 400

* Suspended solids: Savo-Karjala used glass fiber filter. It is not possible to give the exact pore size of that filter type. Karelia CHEM used filter with pore size 0.45 µm.

Table 2. Control (synthetic samples) prepared by KarCHEM

Used state Assigned concentration standard Range for diluted Bottle Elements in the non-diluted sample reference sample sample µg/l number µg/l (SSRS) or reagent

NH4-N SSRS 7747-99 10 - 20 1 9940 PO4-P SSRS 7748-99 3 - 10 2 7990 NO2-N SSRS 7753-2000 180 - 230 4 - NO3-N SSRS 820-2000 180 - 230 5 10050 Total P SSRS 7241-96 10 - 20 3 9800 Total Fe SSRS 7835-2000 1300 - 1500 6 50000

Table 3. Control (synthetic) Assigned samples prepared by SAVO-Karjala Elements Range µg/l concentration Environmental Research µg/l NH4-N 10 - 20 18 PO4-P 3 - 10 9 NO2-N+NO3-N 180 - 230 200 Total P 10 - 20 15 Total N 550 - 650 600 Total Fe 1300 - 1500 1400 Total Mn 100 - 150 130

ECO-Bridge 8 Table 4. Results of analysis of a control (synthetic sample) prepared by KarCHEM

Kuopio Joensuu KarCHEM* Assigned Assigned concentration concentration Elements in the non- in the diluted diluted control sample µg/l sample, µg/l Result µg/l % of error Margin Result µg/l % of error Margin Resultµg/l of error Margin µg/l NH4-N 9940 9400 12 9710 10 20 23 ±10 Not PO4-P 7990 9490 10 - 10 10 ±4 analyzed NO2- 10050 11300 8 11000 15 200 180 ±50 N+NO3-N Not Total P 9800 9770 12 - 14.7 13.4 - analyzed No control Not Not Total N - - - - sample analyzed analyzed Not Total Fe 50000 50700 10 - 1500 1590 ±160 analyzed Not Total Mn 10000 10000 10 - 150 130 ±17 analyzed

* Control samples prepared by KarCHEM for SYKE were provided with enclosed instructions for preparation of control samples from basic solutions. This proposed procedure of diluting the samples was not implemented by laboratories Kuopio and Joensuu that analyzed basic solutions. KarCHEM followed the instructions when analyzing the samples.

Table 5. Results of analysis of a control (synthetic sample) prepared by SAVO-Karjala Environmental Research Kuopio Joensuu KarCHEM Assigned Elements concentrations Result µg/l in µg/l Result µg/l of Margin % error Result µg/l of Margin % error of Margin % error Confidence interval of the result µg/l NH4-N 18 16.8 13 19.1 26 22 45 12 - 32 Not PO4-P 9 7.9 13 - 10 … 6 - 14 analyzed NO2- 200 205 8 202 15 223 26 164 - 282 N+NO3-N Not Total P 15 15.8 15 - 25 24 19 - 31 analyzed Not Not Total N 600 625 10 - - - analyzed analyzed Not 1120 - Total Fe 1400 1390 10 - 1260 11 analyzed 1400 Not Total Mn 130 136 8 - 127 13 111 - 143 analyzed

ECO-Bridge 9 Table 6. List of water quality variables and their analytical methods used by laboratories participated in intercalibration

Sampling, preservation and storage of samples

Method range/ Methods detection in elements Indicated Indicated limit 1) within Laboratory and storage Preservation Preservation Analysis done Analysis done Analysis Sample bottle 1. No preservation 1. 6 h 2. Preserving Polymeric 2. 3-4 0.02-1.0 at рН<2 Labora- days РД 52.24.383-2005 material or mg/dm3 3. Freezing tory 3. Conti- glass KarCHEM down to nuous -20 – -40°С

In-house method, fluorometric, CFA analyser Polymeric No Labora- 5 µg/l 24 h

Ammonium nitrogen (NH4)+ nitrogen Ammonium tory Savo- (based on Skalar analytical material preservation Karjala method no. A157/158)

1. No preservation 2. Storage at 1. 4 h 1.-2. Glass 3-6° С with 2. 3 days РД 52.24.382-2006, 0.010-0.2 3. Polymeric addition of Labora- 3. Conti- paragraph 11 mg/dm3 material chloroform tory nuous

KarCHEM 3. Freezing down to -20 – -40°С

In-house method,

Phosphate phosphorus (PO43-) Phosphate colorimetric, FIA analyser Polymeric No 2 µg/l 24 h (based on SFS-EN ISO material preservation 15681-1:2005, Part 1.) Savo-Karjala

1. No 1. 2 h preservation 2. 24 h 2. Storage 0.01- Polymeric 3. Conti- at 3-6° С Labora- nuous РД 52.24.381-2006 0.25 material or 3. Freezing tory

KarCHEM mg/dm3 glass down to -20 – -40°С

Polymeric No Labora-

Nitrite nitrogen (NO2) Nitrite nitrogen SFS-EN ISO 13395:1997 2 µg/l 24 h material preservation tory Savo-Karjala

ECO-Bridge 10 Sampling, preservation and storage of samples

Method range/ Methods detection

limit 1) within storage Laboratory Analysis done Analysis Sample bottle Indicated elements Indicated Analysis done in Analysis Preservation and Preservation

Polymeric 0.080-4.0 No Labora-

Kar М-02-1805 material or 8 h tory CHEM mg/dm3 preservation glass

SFS-EN ISO Polymeric No Labora- 2 µg/l 24 h 13395:1997 material preservation tory Nitrate nitrogen (NO3) nitrogen Nitrate Savo-Karjala

1. No preservation 1. 4 h 2. Freezing 1.-2. Glass 2. 3 days down to -20 РД 52.24.387- 0.02-0.4 3. Polymeric Labora- 3. Conti- – -40°С 2006 mg/dm3 material tory nuous 3. Freezing KarCHEM down to -20 – -40°С

1. No preservation SFS-EN ISO Polymeric 2. Preserva- Labora- 1. 24 h 5 µg/l 15681-2:2003 material tion with tory 2. 7 days H2SO4 Savo-Karjala Total phosphorus (mineral and organic) phosphorus (mineral Total

1. No preservation Polymeric 2. Freezing SFS-EN ISO Labora- 1. 24 h 50 µg/l material or down to -20 11905-1:1998 tory 2. 1 month glass – -40°С Savo-Karjala Total nitrogen Total

0,0020- Preservation Polymeric Labora- М-02-1109 1,0 mg/ with HNO3 1 month material tory dm3 at pH< 2 KarCHEM

Total Fe Total SFS-EN ISO 17294-1 (2006) Полимерный Preservation Labora- and 17294-2 1 µg/l 6 months материал with H2SO4 tory (2016) ICP-MS (low

Savo-Karjala concentrations) 2)

ECO-Bridge 11 Sampling, preservation and storage of samples

Method range/ Methods detection

limit 1) within storage Laboratory Analysis done Analysis Sample bottle Indicated elements Indicated Analysis done in Analysis Preservation and Preservation

0,0050- Preservation Polymeric Labora- М-02-1109 50 mg/ with HNO3 1 month material tory dm3 at pH< 2 KarCHEM

SFS-EN ISO

Total Mn Total 17294-1 (2006) and Polymeric Preservation Labora- 0.5 µg/l 6 months 17294-2 (2016) material with H2SO4 tory ICP-MS (low Savo-Karjala concentrations)2)

РД 52.24.468- Polymeric Labora- 2005. paragraph 5.0-100 Cool down tory, right material or 7 days 10.1, filter size mg/dm3 to 3-6°С after glass KarCHEM 0.45 µm samp-ling

Suspended solids SFS-EN 872:2005, Polymeric Cool down Labora- glass fibre filter 1 mg/l 2 days material to 2-8°С tory was used. Savo-Karjala

1) Accredited method range in KarCHEM lab, the limit of determination in Savo-Karjala lab 2) SFS-EN ISO 11885 (2009) ICP-OES for high concentrations Guidelines in Russia: International standard GOST-31861-2012, Р 52.24.353-2012 Guidelines in Finland: Reports of the Finnish Environment Institute 22/2016. Quality recommendations for data entered into the environmental administration’s water quality registers: Quantification limits, measurement uncertainties, storage times and methods associated with analytes determined from waters. TeemuNäykki and TeroVäisänen (eds.). In Finland: transportation cool down to 2-8°С, storage in laboratory -1 - 5ºC [SFS-EN ISO 5667-3]

ECO-Bridge 12 1.1.2 One-line water quality measurements on the Russian side The basis of the organizational structure of the environmental pollution monitoring system is formed by the observation points on rivers, lakes and reservoirs. They perform the monitoring of pollution of water bodies in a discrete mode, with a frequency set in accordance with the category of an observation point. On the territory of the , there are 28 hydrochemical monitoring points, including 26 observation points of the 4-th category, where sampling is performed 4 times a year in the main hydrological seasons and 2 observation points of the 3rd catego- ry with monthly sampling. A map of the location of the observation points and more detailed information about each of the observation points is provided below:

Fig. 2 Observation network in the Republic of Karelia.

Table 7

Sampling Coordinates Monitored parameters frequency Waterbody Name of the observation point

Nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, phosphates, total phosphorus, gross phosphorus, organic phosphorus, silicic acid, total iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, hydrogen carbonate, sulphates, bridge over N66o16'53" 4 times a Keret’ chlorides, hardness, total dissolved solids, copper, lead, the river E33o35'01" year cadmium, chrome, BOD5, COD, color, oil products, anionic surfactant, suspended solids, pH, carbon dioxide, dissolved oxygen, oxygen saturation, transparency, smell, electric conductivity

ECO-Bridge 13 4 times Nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, Gridina Gridino N65°54’50’’ E34°38’6’’ a year ammonia nitrogen, phosphates, total phosphorus, gross phosphorus, organic phosphorus, silicic acid, total iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, hydrogen carbonate, sulphates, chlorides, hardness, N65°19'49.1" 4 times total dissolved solids, copper, lead, Pon’goma Pon’goma E34°23'48.6" a year cadmium, chrome, COD, color, oil products, anionic surfactant, suspended solids, pH, carbon dioxide, transparency, smell, electric conductivity

N64°56'39.3" 4 times Kem’ Kem’ E34°35'55.1" a year N64°08'34.1" 4 times Chirka-Kem’ Andronova Gora E32°22'54.9" a year 4 times Nizhnij Vyg N64°31’24’’ E34°44’51’’ a year N62°59'59.9" 4 times Verhni Vyg Ogorelyshy E35°41'36.8" a year N64°16'39.7" 4 times Letnyaya Letnij-1 E34°23'21.6" a year N63°55'02.0" 4 times Nyuhcha Nyuhcha E36°13'55.2" a year N63°25'23.8" 12 times Lenderka Lendery E31°10'37.5" a year Nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, N62°10'51.8" 4 times ammonia nitrogen, phosphates, Juvanjoki E30°42'07.1" a year total phosphorus, gross phosphorus, 4 times organic phosphorus, silicic acid, total Tulemajoki Salmi N61°22’38’’ E31°52’01’’ a year iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, N61°18'55.3" 4 times magnesium, hydrogen carbonate, Vidlitsa Bol’shie Gory E32°28'26.3" a year sulphates, chlorides, hardness, 4 times total dissolved solids, copper, Olonka N60°58’53’’ E32°57’10’’ a year lead, cadmium, chrome, BOD5, COD, color, oil products, anionic N61°00'51.0" 4 times Tuksa Tuksa surfactant, suspended solids, pH, E32°50'31.9" a year carbon dioxide, dissolved oxygen, N61°46'53.0" 12 times oxygen saturation, transparency, Lososinka E34°22'10.9" a year smell, electric conductivity

N61°47'52.8" 4 times Neglinka Petrozavodsk E34°22'06.6" a year N61°55'10.4" 4 times Shuya Shuya E34°11'58.7" a year N62°55'09.8" 4 times Kumsa Medvezh’egorsk E34°26'26.9" a year 4 times Pyal’ma Pyal’ma N62°24’4’’, E35°53’46’’ a year

ECO-Bridge 14 N61°47'28.5" 4 times E36°29'46.6" a year Pjaozero - N66°15'08.8" 4 times Kumskoe Zasheek village E31°06'10.2" a year reservoir N64°57'05.0"N 3 times Verhnee Kuito Voknavolok village 30°33'47.2"E a year Srednee Kuito N65°11'41.2"N 3 times – Yushkosero Kalevala settlement 31°11'17.5"E a year reservoir Nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, phosphates, total phosphorus, gross phosphorus, organic phosphorus, silicic acid, total iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, hydrogen carbonate, 63°52'30.6"N 3 times Ondozero Ondozero village sulphates, chlorides, hardness, 33°06'59.5"E a year total dissolved solids, copper, lead, cadmium, chrome, COD, color, oil products, anionic surfactant, suspended solids, pH, carbon dioxide, transparency, smell, electric conductivity Topozero Nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, Kesten’ga 65°53'05.6"N 4 times – Kumskoe ammonia nitrogen, phosphates, settlement 31°50'04.6"E a year reservoir total phosphorus, gross phosphorus, N61°47'27.1"N 4 times organic phosphorus, silicic acid, total Bay Petrozavodsk city 34°23'17.9"E a year iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, hydrogen carbonate, sulphates, chlorides, hardness, total dissolved solids, copper, lead, cadmium, chrome, BOD5, 62°05'03.9"N 4 times Suojarvi Suojarvi town COD, color, oil products, anionic 32°21'03.5"E a year surfactant, suspended solids, pH, carbon dioxide, dissolved oxygen, oxygen saturation, transparency, smell, electric conductivity

ECO-Bridge 15 The main task of the pollution monitoring possibility of automating hydrochemical system is to inform about water quality for observations. As the results of the project have making management and environmental shown, they present a promising basis for decisions. The greatest damage to the ensuring the effective operation of the Russian- ecological state of water bodies is caused by Finnish environmental monitoring system. emergency and salvo (and sometimes illegal) Besides improving the efficiency of discharges of polluted wastewater. Untimely obtaining primary data, the use of automatic detection of different extreme situations, stations minimizes errors related to the imprompt surveys and forecasting of the human factor and increases the accuracy of movement of the pollution load prevent estimates of average concentrations over a the adoption of urgent water protection long period of time. measures and lead to significant economic To achieve the goals set by the project, one and environmental losses. Therefore in of the main objectives was to study modern addition to traditional monitoring methods, monitoring methods, first and foremost the automated remote measurement tools possibility of automating hydrochemical are becoming increasingly widespread observations. As the results of the project have globally. In case of automatic monitoring, shown, they present a promising basis for measurement results can be immediately ensuring the effective operation of the Russian- updated on websites online, making it Finnish environmental monitoring system. possible to track the state of the water body That is the reason why the project’s efforts in real time. were primarily focused on studying and In Russia, automation of hydrochemical implementing automation of hydrochemical observations has not yet become widespread. observations. As the results of the project To achieve the goals set by the project, one showed, this is the perspective for ensuring of the main objectives was to study modern the effective operation of the environmental monitoring methods, first and foremost the monitoring system.

Table 8 Site where the equipment is installed: multiparameter sensors for control of the quality of surface natural water and data collection center

№ Complex Site Coordinates Site description AHCC 1 Hydrological post 60°58’53’’N, Right bank of the Olonka 1 1on the river Olonka, 32°57’10’’E river Verhovye AHCC 2 Hydrological post 61°30’11’’N, Right bank of the river 1on the river 31°35’57’’E Uuksunjoki 2 Uuksunjoki in Uuksu village AHCC 3 Hydrological post 61°22’38’’N, Right bank of the river 1 on the river 31°52’01’’E Tulemajoki 3 Tulemajoki, Salmi settlement Data collection and Karelian Center for Communication center, 3 processing center Hydrometeorology Varkaus str., Petrozavodsk 4 and Environmental Monitoring

ECO-Bridge 16 The sensors monitor the following Equipment and software were offered by parameters: the following companies: EHP-Tekniikka m рН Ltd, Endress+Hauser, SEBA Hydrometrie m oxygen saturation GmbH&Co and YSI inc, Hydrolab. m dissolved oxygen The KarCHEM project staff visited and got acquainted with the equipment of Poltraf m electric conductivity LLC (https://poltraf.ru/) and Analit products m water temperature LLC (http://analit-spb.ru/). Analysis of the results and convergence of Even prior to procurement of equipment, average values obtained from multiparameter a trial operation of the digital multi- probe with the results of analyses of manual parameter sensor provided by Poltraf LLC samples of natural surface water in KarCHEM was conducted and a technical report was lab revealed insignificant divergence of made on the testing performed. results for all five parameters listed above. In the training course in Finland in the Helsinki region, the KarCHEM specialists got Implementation acquainted with the on-line water quality monitoring station at the River Vantaanjoki. During the implementation of the project, The station is equipped with s::can partners conducted a number of activities nitro::lyser sensor (www.s-can.at/products/ to enhance exchange of experience in joint spectrometer-probes), which was used sampling and inter-laboratory comparison to measure NO3-N, turbidity and organic tests (intercalibration). Partners got carbon with hourly time step. acquainted with devices analysis methods used. The Russian Federation and Finland, The water level was measured with a as a rule, use similar instruments for regular pressure sensor also with hourly time step. sampling. The positive experience of the Finnish colleagues was useful for the specialists of Various types of equipment designed for the KarCHEM and in the Russian Federation automatic hydrochemical monitoring were they found official distributors of s::can considered and tested by KarCHEM experts. Messtechnik GmbH - LLC «Ecostroy-Project». Fig.3 Sampling in Finland

ECO-Bridge 17 Fig.4 Getting familiar with the equipment at Poltraf LLC

The supplier was invited to participate in the LLC and Poltraf LLC. Both participants were tender held as part of the ongoing project admitted to the tender. According to the for the supply of automatic hydrochemical results of the auction, the price reduction was equipment. 2,923,479.28 rubles. Winner of the auction On June 28, 2019, a tender was held for was Hydrotech-Engineering LLC. the purchase of automatic hydrochemical Following the contract signed, Hydrotech- complexes (AHCC) for equipping 3 engineering LLC has installed automatic hydrological posts at largest tributaries of hydrochemical complexes at hydrological Lake Ladoga, located in the Republic of posts HP-1 the Olonka river – the town of Karelia. The maximum contract price set Olonets, HP-1 the Tulemajoki river - village of by KarCHEM was 10,947,666.67 rubles. Salmi and HP-1 the Uuksunjoki river – Uuksu Applications for participation were submitted settlement. All equipment was installed by two companies: Hydrotech-Engineering in accordance with the provisions of the

Fig.5 Work meeting at Analyt products LLC

ECO-Bridge 18 Fig.6 Preparation for the installation of the sensor Fig.7 Sensor installation

contract. Power supply is provided from solar panels. Batteries and controllers are installed in a special container. Employees were trained in the maintenance of AHCC. The stations are equipped with sensors for electric conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen and water level manufactured by Seba Hydrometric GmbH&Co. KG, Germany. Every hour the data collection centre receives the following information from the hydrochemical probe: m water level; m water temperature; m рН; m electric conductivity; m dissolved oxygen; m oxygen saturation; m salinity; m water density; m total dissolved solids. Experts checked received data and control technical parameters regularly. l Fig.8 Conducting comparative measurements

ECO-Bridge 19 Fig.9 Equipment installed in Finland at the monitoring station in Pitkäkoski, Vantaa

Fig.10 AHCC at the Olonka river – the town of Olonets

ECO-Bridge 20 Fig.11 AHCC at the Tulemajoki river – village of Salmi

Fig.12 AHCC at the Uuksunjoki river – Uuksu settlement

Primary monitoring results The installed equipment has been sampling is performed at the sites where the operating in a reliable manner since equipment is installed. Comparative analysis October 27, 2020. According to the technical of sensor data with data based on manual requirements, monthly calibration of pH and sampling in the 4th quarter of 2019 and in oxygen sensors is required. In accordance with the 1st quarter of 2020, showed satisfactory the observation program, quarterly manual convergence of results. Average values a represented in Table 9.

ECO-Bridge 21 Table 9 Average values of measured parameters Measured parameter Oxygen Dissolved Electric Water рН saturation oxygen conductivity temperature pH pH mgО/ % % mg/l µS /cm µS /cm С° С° unit unit dm³ Data collection means Laboratory analysis Laboratory analysis Laboratory analysis Laboratory analysis Laboratory analysis Multiparameter probe Multiparameter probe Multiparameter probe Multiparameter probe Multiparameter probe Multiparameter Hydrological post 1 the Olonka river – the city of Olonets Average 1 6.4 6.4 83.0 80.0 9.0 10.0 43.0 40.0 24.0 23.5 values Hydrological post 1 the Tulemajoki river – Salmi settlement Average 2 6.4 6.4 85.0 74.0 9.6 9.0 49.0 49.0 8.0 8.0 values Hydrological post 1 the Uuksunjoki river - Uuksu settlement Average 3 6.0 6.2 83.0 80.0 10.0 9.5 2.3 31.0 12.0 11.9 values

In the 2nd quarter of 2020, the pH sensor an operating state observation site. It is needed to be replaced at hydrological also important to ensure that the device site HP-1 at the Uuksunjoki river in Uuksu is not subjected to vandalism. Operating settlement. The sensor was replaced from set experience has shown that maintenance of of spare parts, tools and accessories. a hydrochemical probe and sensors is only Data obtained from continuous on- possible during the ice-free period. Thus, line water quality measurements were during the winter period, the data received compared with traditional laboratory results. from the AHCC will require the introduction The database for analysing the proximity of correction coefficients, which can be (reproducibility) of results obtained is calculated based on the results of a sufficient updated quarterly. Preliminary comparison number of parallel observations. results can be considered satisfactory. During the observation period, there were In general, the installed automatic stations no cases of high or extremely high pollution have proven to be reliable. The engineering in the water bodies under study. However, solutions proposed by the designers during based on the laboratory data, the COD, Mn the technical re-equipment of observation and BOD5 indicators constantly exceeded points were discussed and approved as a maximum permissible concentration levels long-term solution. Favourable conditions for the rivers Olonka, Tulemajoki, Uuksunjoki for the location of the device, include the and Tohmajoki, which indicates that water presence of a land plot and the location of is overloaded with organic substances.

ECO-Bridge 22 Fig.13 Sensor calibration at HP-1 at the Olonka river in the city Fig.14 Sensor calibration at HP-1 at the Tulemajoki river in of Olonets Salmi settlement Measurements take place on a quarterly basis. indicates a satisfactory environmental Average values are presented in Table 10. In condition of water bodies. However, addition at all sites, maximum permissible human economic activity has a significant concentration of total Fe and Mn is exceeded. anthropogenic impact on the studied rivers, But the excess of these ingredients is due to and it is necessary to constantly monitor the natural features and is typical for the territory state of watercourses in order to preserve the of the Republic of Karelia. ecosystem. According to the results of research and data from the AHCC, the level of dissolved oxygen in rivers is 10-12 mg/dm3, which

Table 10 Average value of each variable and its exceedance of maximum permissible concentration (mpc) (how many times over mpc) Total Fe COD BOD5 Mn Water- Location of the body observation site Average Average (mg/ value dm3) Exceedance Average (mgO/ value dm3) Exceedance Average (mgO/ value dm3) Exceedance Average (mg/ value dm3) Exceedance Hydrological post (Olonets) 0.97 9.7 4.3 3.2 2.0 1.0 0.03 3.0 Olonka Mouth of the 0.45 4.5 35.0 2.3 2.4 1.2 0.03 3.0 Olonka river Hydrological post 0.68 6.8 41.0 2.7 2.0 1.0 0.02 2.0 Tulema- (Salmi) joki Mouth of the 0.4 4.0 42.0 2.8 2.2 1.1 0.03 2.0 Tulemajoki river Hydrological post 0.85 8.5 35.2 2.3 2.0 1.0 0.025 2.2 Uuksun- (Uuksu) joki Mouth of the 0.78 7.8 32.0 2.1 2.0 1.0 0.02 2.0 Uuksunjoki river Hydrological post (Rytty) 0.5 5.0 50.0 3.3 2.2 1.1 0.04 4.0 Tohmajoki Mouth of the 0.4 4.0 40.0 2.6 2.0 2.0 0.02 2.0 Tohmajoki river

ECO-Bridge 23 Access to data for the based eco-monitoring information system» population and experts (based on OpenStreetMap), which will be The modernization of the official website available to specialists from Russia and of the Karelian CGMS will make it possible to Finland. This system is described in detail in present data received from the AHCC on-line. section 1.2 of this publication. Specialized software tracks parameters, and data on the site is presented in a convenient Further development format that is accessible to a wide range of At the moment, capabilities of automatic people. The colour display, which is formed monitoring are still limited both in terms of the depending on the quality of the water number of parameters and in terms of ensuring body, visualizes information content. If all the proper functioning of stations, especially in the monitored parameters on the site have the Northern conditions, during ice formation. passed the quality control, the observation It is in these situations when the amount point is highlighted in green. If an adverse of dissolved oxygen and diluting capacity or extreme value occurs for any of the is reduced, and it is especially important to parameters tracked, the colour display will control the quality of water composition. change to yellow and then red. Many parameters cannot yet be measured In addition, specialists will have access to continuously. Some devices are not suitable for monitoring databases obtained during the measuring low concentrations of substances in implementation of the project, containing natural waters. information on all 36 elements that were monitored quarterly in the area of river Therefore, traditional hydrochemical mouths and in the locations of points of the monitoring cannot yet be replaced by auto- state observation network. matic monitoring, but a wide range of analyses can already be monitored automatically. This In addition, Arbonaut OY specialists type of monitoring is particularly relevant in together with KarCHEM developed a «Web-

ECO-Bridge 24 the locations of production facilities, with the 1.1.3 Online phosphate phosphorus inclusion of sensors aimed at detecting the measurements on the Finnish side. concentrations of certain dangerous pollutants in the composition of hydrochemical probes. Background With regard to monitoring of transboundary Together with nitrogen, phosphorus is the water bodies, it is the use of automatic main nutrient that restricts basic production monitoring stations that will allow for the best and algal growth in water bodies. Therefore, possible unification of observations and ensure phosphorus concentration is a good indicator proper monitoring. of the eutrophication of a water body, and it is an important part of the overall monitoring The project’s preliminary study of the of water quality. Excessive phosphorus and catchment areas of the Janisjoki and Tohmajoki nitrogen entering the water body will lead to watercourses already allows for a preliminary eutrophication of the waters. Eutrophication analysis, which can become the basis for the leads to changes in population structure of development of a transboundary monitoring vegetation and animal species and increases system. On the territory of the Republic of biomass and thus e.g. oxygen consumption Karelia there are many other transboundary as this biomass decomposes. water bodies, standardized assessment of Total phosphorus (Ptot) includes all which is also important for the development of phosphorus in the water, i.e. phosphorus good neighbourly relations. bound to living and dead organisms as well The Karelian Centre for Hydrometeorology as soil particles and phosphorus in dissolved form. The sources of phosphorus are shown in and Environmental Monitoring has gained Fig. 15. In river waters, the Ptot concentration experience in working with leading Finnish can vary largely depending on the amount environmental monitoring institutions that of rainfall and the variation it causes in the will be used in the system not only for cross- leaching of nutrients from the catchment border monitoring, but also for the expansion area. The season of the year matters, as the of regional hydrochemical and aerochemical amount of leachable nutrients is typically monitoring systems. highest outside the growing season. Phosphate phosphorus (= dissolved inorganic phosphorus, PO4-P) is the main phosphorus compound used by algae. Therefore, it is important to know what proportion of total phosphorus is in soluble form. It is difficult to measure, in part because PO4-P concentrations are typically very low during the production season since the algae use efficiently the available phosphorus. TP cannot yet be measured directly with

Fig. 15 Main sources of phosphorus

ECO-Bridge 25 Fig. 16. The PO4-P device including the passive collectors (DGT, see also www.dgtresearch.com) continuous water quality sensors. However, laborious. This problem was solved when it can be calculated based on the turbidity a French company developed a device measured by the continuous water quality called THOË, which automatically changes devices, especially in catchments with clay the incubator at the desired intervals. The soils. carousel of the device can hold 12 collectors. Phosphate phosphorus (PO4-P) sensor The advantage of collectors over automatic water sampling is that the collected Eco-Bridge project tested a new passive filter method for PO4-P measurement. The substances are chemically bound in them measurement method does not produce and no longer change their form. Therefore, continuous measurement, but the results are the collector analysis is in no hurry, unlike obtained, for example, as a 2-day average, water samples. The final result is calculated which is considerably more than is usually as concentrations with a formula that takes obtained with water samples. A measurement into account the mean temperature of the period of PO4-P with this passive filter started measured period, the diffusion coefficient, in mid-March 2020. The device was leased the length of the period, the background from a Finnish equipment supplier Luode concentration and the extraction coefficient. Consulting Oy (http://www.luode.net/en/). Implementation Measurements will continue four to five The equipment was installed on the Finnish months over the summer 2020. side in the Kuonanjoki catchment area. Measurement method Figure 3 shows the catchment area above The method is based on the incubation the observation point. The size of the area is of passive collectors (DGT) (Fig. 16 and see 73.5 km2, most of which is forest land (72%). more www.dgtresearch.com). The collectors Agricultural land covers only 3 % and lakes are nowadays well standardized, as well as in the area cover 20% of the total area. In the laboratory determinations of the collected area, there are a lot of moraine soils (mixed samples at the end of the measurement fraction soil) and some peat soils (Fig. 18). period. So far, the problem has been that The measuring point (see Fig.17) is located exporting and retrieving the collectors is in the outlet river of the Kuonanjärvi lake. The measurement site was selected because

ECO-Bridge 26 Fig. 17. Dominating soils in the catchment area. an automatic water quality measurement Ptot. Because the detection limit for PO4-P was already underway in the framework of varies between 2 and 5 µg/l, the measured another project (https://www.luke.fi/en/ concentration readings are very close to the projektit/operandum/) and it enabled a fast limit of determination. and still high-quality measurement to be The new DGT-method could detect small carried out. variation during the spring measurement Results period, but the level was low throughout this period (see Fig. 19). At the end of May At this measurement site, based on PO4-P concentration increased sharply, the monitoring data the PO4-P concentrations maximum value being above 50 µg/l. In are typically very low. Based on standard addition, there are a few periods of elevated laboratory measurements of five water concentrations in the summer results, the samples (5 March, 23 April, 14 May, 10 highest of which are at the same level (30–50 June and 23 June in2020), the average µg/l) as in the rivers of agricultural areas. On Ptot concentration was 34 µg/l. During the the other hand, all laboratory results based corresponding period, the mean PO4-P on manual sampling are rather low and these concentration was 1,9 µg/l. Therefore, the observations fit very well into a continuously share of PO4-P averaged thus only 6% of

ECO-Bridge 27 Fig. 18. The catchment area of the PO4-P station in the Kuonanjoki river and the land use in the area. The measuring station is located in the Kuonanjoki river just below the lake. measured DGT time series. It can also be eutrophication processes of the lake itself. seen from Figure 5 that the increase in PO4-P The PO4-P range for the whole period varied concentration is not related to rainfall events. between 0,3–51 µg/l, so we practically did get a lot of variation in measured PO4-P Development needs levels. Therefore, the results showed that in Technically, the measurements were the routed watershed such as the Kuonanjoki successful. The equipment supplier took catchment, PO4-P concentrations seem to care of the maintenance and collectors’ vary considerably. replacement, and their delivery to In the future, it is good to select a the laboratory. In our experience, the measurement site with varying PO4-P measurement method seems to be reliable concentration levels and the measurements and, in fact, the need for maintenance is should also be made not only in rivers but low. Our measurement site was located just in eutrophic lakes as well. The measurement below the lake Kuonanjärvi, so probably the method should also be tested at different concentration level was influenced by the locations and throughout the spring and

ECO-Bridge 28 Fig. 19. Variation of PO4-P measured with the DGT passive filter sampler in the Kuonanjoki river between mid-March and mid-July. The figure also shows the variation of total phosphorus (Ptot) analysed from the water samples taken. The daily precipitation is also shown. summer period to find out the temporal Project implementation - New variation of PO4-P. It would also be useful to measurement container for the test the method for intensive livestock areas Pötsönvaara air quality monitoring station or in an area with, for example, industrial A new measurement container was PO4-P emissions. procured (Fig. 22). It was installed to the Ilomantsi-Pötsönvaara monitoring station 1.1.4 On-line air quality measurements after making a gravel foundation for it. The on the Finnish side new location is in the immediate vicinity of the old container. The old container was The Finnish Meteorological Institute’s discarded and removed from the premises. A (FMI) Ilomantsi-Potsonvaara air quality new electricity line was built to the station. monitoring station (Fig. 20) was established in 1997, i.e. 23 years ago. The station Project implementation - infrastructure and instrumentation required New air quality monitors essential upgrades to ensure the continuous The procurement procedure of a sulphur operation of the station (Fig. 21). This is dioxide monitor and an ozone monitor and important as the station is, together with the their associated hardware and software was Hietajärvi deposition collection site, the only accomplished (Fig. 23). The ozone monitor is air quality monitoring station in the county model 49i by Thermo Electron Corporation. of North Karelia. As a matter of fact, it is the The sulphur dioxide monitor model is only background air quality monitoring model 43i-TLE also by Thermo Electron station close to the Finnish-Russian border Corporation. The measurement computer is between Virolahti and Kuusamo. Situating model ARK-3520P by Advantech Co., Ltd. The in a background area with no local pollution data collection and transmission software sources the station can act as a regional clean is Envidas Ultimate by Envitech Ltd. The air reference site not only in Eastern Finland uninterruptable power supply is model 9130i but also in the Republic of Karelia. . by Eaton® Corporation plc.

ECO-Bridge 29 Fig. 20 Location of the Pötsönvaara air quality monitoring station (Map: National Land Survey, https://asiointi. maanmittauslaitos.fi/ karttapaikka).

Project implementation - KarCHEM study visit to the FMI A study visit by KarCHEM staff to the FMI Headquarters in Helsinki took place 23 May 2019 (Fig. 24). During the visit various FMI’s activities related to air quality and radioactivity monitoring issues were presented. Project implementation – Study visit to Pötsönvaara Due to the Covid-19 pandemia and associated travel restrictions the planned KarCHEM study visit to Pötsönvaara air quality monitoring station had to be cancelled. Instead, the FMI is producing a video presentation about air quality monitoring in Fig. 21. Old measurement container at the Ilomantsi- Pötsönvaara air quality monitoring station. Finland with the following agenda:

ECO-Bridge 30 m Air quality monitoring in population centres m Background air quality monitoring stations m Laboratory measurements of aerosol and precipitation samples m National reference laboratory for air quality issues m Air quality assessment with dispersion modelling

Outcomes of the project This project has been vital for the continuity of air quality measurements at Fig. 22 The new measurement container on its gravel Pötsönvaara. The old container was in a very foundation at the Pötsönvaara air quality monitoring station. bad condition. Water from rain and melting The sample air inlet line can be seen close to the right-hand side back corner. An air-source heat pump, capable of cooling snow had penetrated into the container wall the container in summer, is beside the container door. and roof structure causing a health risk to the station manager and service personnel due to microbial activity. The electricity system of the container was also in the end of its technical service life. The lack of air conditioning was hazardous for the instruments in the container because the temperature rose too high in summer. The ozone and sulphur dioxide monitors were rather old too and spare parts started to be hard to acquire. As a result of the project the FMI has now an up to date station infrastructure at Fig. 23 Indoor view of the new measurement container. On the table from left to right a measurement computer, a sulphur dioxide monitor and an ozone monitor. In the corner under the Fig. 24 KarCHEM delegation at the main entrance of the FMI. table is an uninterruptable power supply (UPS).

ECO-Bridge 31 Pötsönvaara. The new electricity line to the In addition to improved air quality station provides improved electrical safety monitoring infrastructure the project and reliability. The new container gives a supports the development of air quality safe and pleasant working environment to monitoring programmes in the Republic the staff visiting the station. The improved of Karelia by providing a regional clean air temperature control in the container offers reference site and by the know-how transfer good conditions for the instruments. This to the KarCHEM. This is important as the air will lead to improved accuracy of the pollutants don’t respect national borders. measurements and better temporal data In the future the FMI would be interested coverage as less instrument malfunctions to continue these cross-border activities occur. The electricity system of the container as the KarCHEM and the FMI face similar fulfills now all the current official technical challenges in their atmospheric monitoring and safety requirements. The new ozone and activities. One specific example of possible sulphur dioxide monitors should provide future cooperation is the monitoring of data for the next 5-10 years. atmospheric radioactivity that both institutes are performing.

ECO-Bridge 32 1.2 ELECTRONIC AND WEB-BASED TOOLS FOR DATA PRESENTING AND ANALYSES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER.

VESINETTI in Finland

Vesinetti has been developed under information can be set either public or GISBLOOM-project (01/10/2010- private. Of the information stored in the 30/09/2013) in cooperation with SYKE service, html-formatted pages can be created (Finnish Environment Institute) and other to able the “basic users” use the information authorities, financed by the EU LIFE+ as well. There are different levels of ID’s which (Best LIFE Environment projects 2014, 48). allows the users to carry out different levels Arbonaut was responsible of maintenance of tasks: permission to edit the information, and development of the technology. or visitor; data viewing, without the rights to Vesinetti web-service integrates data do modifications it. and models for participatory river basin monitoring and management. As well it Web-based information system for eco- provides a platform for information sharing monitoring in Karelia and Finland and exchange place between authorities and water management networks. It is used In Eco-Bridge project, new web-based for observation and preservation of data information system was developed to about conditions of water systems. Vesinetti allow data collection, monitoring, and enables to facilitate the information sharing delivery to end users in Russia. The system between the authorities, scientists and brings the environmental data accessible different kind of experts and professional in one centralized database, allowing the users and citizens. comparison of the data obtained on both Currently in Finland, it combines sides of the border in Russia and Finland, nationwide data and models and is used to: monitoring, and sharing the interested information for the public. - manage, design and register data related to; algal blooms and eutrophication, climate, KarCHEM manages the user levels and hydrology, hydrobiology, land-use, nutrient provides user accounts according to the loads and water quality responses - estimate purpose of the use. They can regulate what climate change in lakes and coastal areas data will be available for each user. Similarly, as in Vesinetti, there are different levels of It is continuously used by ELY Centers and ID’s allowing the users to carry out different water protection associations to run LLR- levels of tasks: to edit or to view the data. model. LLR (Lake Load Response) is browser-based Information from the monitoring modeling tool, developed by SYKE, to assess stations. load effects. LLR assists in assessing the load reduction need and thus in the planning and The information system was created for management of river basin management. collecting and visualizing data from new (Vesimuodostumakohtaisenkuormituksenv equipment - automatic water monitoring aikutus ja vähennystarpeenarviointi – LLR, stations installed within the framework SYKE, 2014). of this project will help to provide a wide Users can themselves produce and add range of people with information on the data into the system and the containing status of water, including water quality. The

ECO-Bridge 33 data, including pictures of the sites, from observation sites in Finland and information these three stations is automatically derived of the water samples can be viewed with to the web system and allows up-to-date the new system. (Pintavesientilantietojärjest monitoring of the sites. The data include a elmä - vedenlaatu - ohjeitatiedontuottajille, set of parameters and indicators determined Ymparisto.fi, 2018). by KarCHEM and is presented in the form of graphs and tables. Quarterly, information Maps and layers on the status of the water objects will be manually added in the system after laboratory The base map of the system is tests on 32 parameters. OpenStreetMap. There are different raster On the Finnish side, there is an interface maps indicating rivers, lakes, and catchment between this system and VESLA database areas. On the menu bar, it can be chosen run by SYKE. VESLA contains data from which layers are wanted to be visible.

Fig. 25 Example of the data view of monitoring station in Uuksunjoki

Fig. 26 Example of the laboratory data view of monitoring station in Kiteenjoki

ECO-Bridge 34 Land cover maps Below it is presented view of the land cover map in Finland, representing spatial information on different types of coverage of the Earth’s surface. Legends on the menu indicate the type of land for each color. Similarly, soil maps in Russia, indicate the type of the soil of the surrounding areas of Olonka, Tohmajoki, Tulemajoki and Uuksunjoki.

Fig.27 Example of the layer view (map source: SYKE) 1

Fig. 28 Land cover of Jänisjoki 2

1Source: SYKE 2Source: ESA Climate Change Initiative – Land Cover led by UCLouvain (2018) ESA. Land Cover CCI Product User Guide Version 2. Tech. Rep. (2017). Available:maps.elie.ucl.ac.be/CCI/viewer/download/ESACCI-LC-Ph2-PUGv2_2.0.pdf

ECO-Bridge 35 Fig. 29 Soil map of Olonka3

Manual sampling sites Icons below are representing water quality manual sampling sites in Finland. Attributes present basic information of the site including amounts of samplings. The size of the icon changes accordingly, more samplings the bigger the icons.

Fig. 30 Jänisjoki alajuoksu sampling site 4

3 Source: Energy Efficiency Centre 4 Source: Arbonaut, OpenStreetMap

ECO-Bridge 36 Fig.31 Hydrological monitoring site - water level 5

Other functionalities There is an option to print the wanted maps or the views. In addition to the automatic stations, new stations can be added, edited, and deleted manually. User can add basic information for the station including identifier, name, type, or add pictures. KA5016 project sites, KarCHEM state network and transboundary state network points are presented on the map.

Fig.32 Ecological status6

Application on the Russian side WEB-based information system. KarCHEM has a monitoring data collection center, As part of the project implementation, which receives information from automated Arbonaut has developed a specialized hydrochemical complexes (AHCCs). A

5 Source: Arbonaut, OpenStreetMap 6 Source: SYKE, ELY-centres, Luke

ECO-Bridge 37 Fig.33 Example of the view when creating new station 7 database is formed in the monitoring data displays daily readings from the sensors. In collection center, which is accessed via case the values of the measured parameters the WEB interface or specialized software. exceeded maximum permissible levels, the KarCHEM employees can view and analyze station marker is colored yellow or red. information from automated systems that can be presented in the form of tables or graphs with the help of the monitoring data collection center. Information from AHCCs is also present on an interactive map, on the website of the KarCHEM and is available to all users. The map shows the location of the AHCCs and

Fig.34 Thematic maps in Finland 7

7 Arbonaut, OpenStreetMap

ECO-Bridge 38 Thematic maps in Finland materials are computationally combined and which can be further processed with other By combining spatial data sets, thematic materials from environmental databases. maps can be made to provide an overall picture Model results on nutrient and solids loads of the land use, soil type and topography of are also desired as map-based. the area. Land use data makes it possible to Figures 35-37 show some examples of map, for example, areas with a high nutrient thematic maps. Some of the maps do not load. Topography (DEM) information allows have data on the Russian side. Since, for e.g. to delineate catchment areas, map flood- example, ecological classification is not done risk areas and calculate slopes of the fields using the same method in Russia as in the EU and estimate their erosion risk. Potential countries. use of soil data is to locate more accurately At present, the consolidation of spatial data erosion-prone soils. Soil and land use data sets in transboundary river basins is difficult. could be combined and, for example, fields Worldwide data are coarse in resolution on peat soils can be mapped. which limits their use. Co-operation should Thematic maps combining water quality promote the development of compatible observation data, various classifications and spatial data sets. The classifications of soil even modelled data could be informative. maps are also different in the two countries Thematic maps are used e.g. to target water and it would be good to harmonize the soil protection measures, such as buffer zones classes to make them easier to use. With and wetlands, to places where they achieve regard to land use, it would be necessary the best benefits. to map the different land uses by field In Finland, map-based data is quite openly measurements in the Russian side in order to available (e.g. https://www.syke.fi/fi-FI/ refine the accuracy of satellite observations. Avoin_tieto), but their use and analysis require For example, a mapping of clear-cutting knowledge on spatial data programs and areas would be useful to do. currently the data is still underused. Still, easy- to-use map services are available for visual viewing of maps (e.g. the environmental map service maintained by SYKE). However, there is a need for thematic maps in which different

ECO-Bridge 39 Fig. 35. The thematic map shows the number of water samples in both rivers and lakes in the three transboundary river basin districts. The figure also shows the observation stations in the Russian side.

ECO-Bridge 40 Fig. 36. The ecological status of the rivers and lakes in the Finnish side.

Fig. 37. The land use classes in the three transboundary river basins on both sides of the border.

ECO-Bridge 41 2 PLANS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS 2.1 Spatial coverage and parameters. agriculture, fishing and tourism. When planning action programmes, it is necessary The environment is subject to increasing to take into account the different conditions anthropogenic impact. At the same time, the and needs of natural resource use, as well as demand for high-quality water is growing regional and local conditions. and legislation on environmental pollution is being tightened. The policy of modern On the territory of the Republic of Karelia states in relation to the environment should there is a significant number of cross-border contribute to the achievement of the goals Russian-Finnish water bodies, including the of preserving, protecting and improving the Saimaa-Vuoksi catchment area. Information quality of the environment, and the careful about the largest water bodies located both and rational use of natural resources. It is on the territory of Karelia and on the adjacent necessary to integrate the protection and territory of Finland, as well as information sustainable management of water resources about the presence of sampling sites on these in all areas of the economy: energy, transport, water bodies of the state monitoring network of Roshydromet is presented in the table.

Presence of state № Waterbody (water observation points Location п/п course) and observation type the Olanga originates from Finland flows into Kumskoye 1 river (Oulanjoki, reservoir (the river none Oulankajoki) Kovda catchment area) the Pistojoki river arises from Finland (Lake flows into Lake Upper 2 Multijarvi) Kuito (the river Kem none catchment area) the river Voinitsa arises from Finland (Lake Ala) flows into Lake 3 – Voinitsa hydrology Ketojarvi settlement the river Tula flows from Lake Tulos (the 4 (Luzhma) river Lieksa catchment area) flows intoFinland none the river Lenderka flows from Lake Sula (the river flows into Lake Pielinen hydrochemistry and 5 – Lendery Vuoksi catchment area) in Finland hydrology settlement 6 the river Shaverko flows from Lake Kusloksa flows intoFinland none Lake Viksinselka partly on the territory of 7 Finland (the river Vuoksi none catchment area) the river Janisjoki arises from Finland 8 – Hamekoski flows into Lake Ladoga hydrology settlement the river arises from Finland 9 flows into Lake Ladoga none Tohmajoki

ECO-Bridge 42 the river Lake Ladoga catchment area 10 none Kiteenjoki Lake Pyhajarvi mostly on the territory of 11 Finland (the river Vuoksi none PLANS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS catchment area) Lake Korpijarvi partly on the territory of 12 Finland (the river Vuoksa none catchment area) Lake Tyrjanjarvi partly on the territory of 13 none Finland the river Juvanjoki arises from Juvanlampi, flows hydrochemistry and 14 through Finland and returns hydrology to Russia the river Asilanjoki arises from Finland (Lake 15 (Hiitolanjoki, Simpelejarvi) flows into Lake Ladoga none Kokkolanjoki)

The sequence of development of city district are promising areas for the monitoring of transboundary water bodies development of the mining industry and, as a should be based on long-term plans for the result, air quality monitoring may become the development of territories, as well as the most popular direction for the development vulnerability of ecosystems. The analysis of of international cooperation in this region. the strategy of socio-economic development In Finland, national water quality of the Republic of Karelia until 2030 allows monitoring guidelines are followed in us to draw conclusions that the territories of the North Karelia region. The monitoring Petrozavodsk- agglomeration, network consists of rivers and lakes so Ladoga region and will be that information is obtained on long-term most actively developed. Thus, the focus of changes in water quality for waters of the development of water monitoring should different sizes and inherently different types. be placed on water bodies located in these Under state monitoring, observation sites are territories: the Janisjoki and Tohmajoki rivers, located in areas that are not directly affected Asilanjoki and Kiteenjoki. by pollution load, such as an industrial or The river Olanga, Voinitsa, Pistojoki municipal wastewater treatment plant. and Shaverka flow through sparselyMonitoring includes a wide range of both populated territories with poorly developed hydrochemical (physico-chemical) variables infrastructure. The absence of industrial as well as biological variables such as enterprises and agricultural production phytoplankton, aquatic plants, bottom minimizes the risks of contamination of fauna and fish. The sampling frequency water bodies on the territory of the Republic for hydrochemical variables varies within a of Karelia and monitoring of these rivers can year from two to more than 12 observations be conducted for the purpose of background depending on the variability of the water control. In this regard, transboundary quality of the water body. Sampling points water bodies are even less susceptible to are rotated, which means that some areas anthropogenic impact from the Russian are monitored annually and some areas Federation, since access to them is limited. every three or six years. Some sites are The border territories of the Kostomuksha monitored even more seldom if the water

ECO-Bridge 43 quality is supposed to be unchanged. Water adequate calibration, and validation using in authorities plan all national monitoring situ measurements and can be used only in programmes, but nowadays, sampling and the absence of clouds in the case of optical analysis of samples has been outsourced and sensors. The spatial, temporal, and spectral carried out by consulting companies. resolution limitations of many current optical The effects of polluting activities are sensors can limit the application of remotely monitored through obligation monitoring, sensed data to assess water quality. which is paid for by the operator (e.g. In the future, the use of remote sensing company or municipality). This is also called data will increase and, in general, the use of local pollution control which includes various types of data should be promoted. monitoring of polluting discharges (quality This means e.g. assimilation of remote and quantity) and observations in the sensing data, traditional data, continuous receiving water body. The water monitoring water quality data and citizen observations. program (observation sites, variables, time In addition, this requires the promotion of of sampling, etc.) depends on the load and new assimilation techniques and efficient the receiving water body. The monitoring and open data systems, as well as good program is planned usually by a consultant cooperation between different actors. and should be approved by water authorities. A nationwide network of continuous water The obligation monitoring is carried out quality stations would have many benefits. by a consultant firm or a water protection Finland is already a major player in the use association with proper facilities. of continuous water quality measurements, In both national and obligatory monitoring so the creation of a national network is the international standards are used in sampling next natural step in this development. New and laboratory analysis. Sampling personnel stations should be established in three are trained, and they are mostly certified different aquatic environments: rivers, lakes which means that they have shown they and coastal stations. ability to take samples properly. Laboratories are accredited by FINAS Finnish Accreditation 2.2. Maintenance systems in on-line Service. Accreditation or third-party monitoring recognition of competence is a procedure that is based on international criteria. SYKE The hydrological catchment areas have Although the measuring system is so- been delimited and the land uses have been called automatic on-line monitoring, it mapped, so it is possible to calculate the always needs on-site maintenance. These distribution of the water load to different include e.g. various cleaning measures as land use types, such as agriculture and well as ensuring the power supply to the forestry. This makes it possible to target water station. In connection with maintenance, protection measures correctly. the general condition of the station and the Remote sensing has proven to be a attachments of the measuring equipment suitable technique in the study of spatial are checked, and the equipment is cleaned. and temporal variations in water quality. The sensors are always cleaned according to However, there are a number of constraints each sensor type. that require precise considerations prior to Optical measuring devices always need conducting these techniques. Developed maintenance, even if they had an automatic models from remote sensing data require cleaning method. There are various automatic

ECO-Bridge 44 cleaning methods on the market, the most (Fig. 10). The person responsible for quality common of which are currently compressed assurance must be one who has knowledge air cleaning (Fig. 9) and various mechanical of the behaviour of the measured variables in brushes and wipers. During maintenance, different water environments and in varying compressed air cylinders or compressors, water situations such as during peak and low valves and tubing as well as mechanical flow periods. cleaning equipment used in addition to In the near future the continuous water compressed air cleaning are inspected, quality measurements will increase, but their maintained and replaced if necessary. use will be planned in more detail than today. Moreover, there may be chemical antifouling Now when more measurements are available, treatments to keep equipment sensors and their benefits can be viewed more reliably. optical windows clean. This method can It is quite probable that, for example, more extend the maintenance interval, but it does frequent water sampling will in some cases not eliminate the need for maintenance. suffice to refine the nutrient loads. On the The maintenance interval for optical other hand, for example, the effectiveness devices depends largely on the water of a water protection method can be better environment to be measured and the season. assessed with continuous monitoring. The equipment becomes more sensitive to In the development of nutrient leaching fouling in warm water during the growing models, on-line devices will certainly be used season than during the cold season. In winter, more. They allow us to significantly improve the need for maintenance is therefore usually the process descriptions of the models. On the lower. After cleaning the device, the results maintenance side itself, development work must always be monitored for any changes in will certainly continue, but we will hardly get the measurement level due to the cleaning. If rid of manual maintenance completely in the cleaning affects the results, it is usually a sign future either. of a too long maintenance interval. More information on maintenance and The maintenance of the device is a very quality assurance can be found in the quality important part of a successful automatic manual translated into Russian (Tattari et al. on-line monitoring and must be adequately 2019). invested in. The measurement results must KarCHEM: also be quality controlled regularly, in some cases even daily, in order to immediately A significant part of pollutants enters notice any problem situations on the devices water bodies from catchments as diffuse

Fig. 38. This device uses automatic compressed air cleaning before each measurement. The figure shows that the hardware itself is dirty, but the optical window is clean (left hand figure). In the figure on the right, the device has been completely cleaned.

ECO-Bridge 45 Fig 39. Example of a dirty optical lens. The level of turbidity rises and after the maintenance (9.5.) drops sharply. load. In this regard, it is necessary to authorities and population information about develop methods for assessing the volume the state of the environment and the sources and degree of negative impact caused by of negative impact on it is a priority strategic diffuse load from economically developed direction in the implementation of state territories. With regard to river basins where policy in the field of environmental safety water use is a common problem on both of the Russian Federation. The specialized sides of the border, it is necessary to analyze software developed in the framework of the characteristics of the river basin and the the project can be used as the basis for possible anthropogenic impact on the river further development and digitalization basin as a whole. of observation materials. The thorough Since the current level of technological modernization of the official website of development of automatic monitoring the KarCHEM makes it possible to present systems does not allow controlling a monitoring data in real time and in the future large number of parameters, the priority can become a platform for presenting data components of monitoring should be from all new observation points. based on the principle of prevention. This relies, in particular, on the identification of any potentially harmful consequences and 2.3 Recommendations for monitoring on a scientifically based risk assessment. water quality and quantity To prepare proposals containing a list Finland is an active member of many of controlled ingredients, it is necessary environmental organizations and is active to analyze widespread environmental in the environmental field. The information pollutants, separately for each basin, as well obtained during the project implementation as substances of concern. on the monitoring system was used in the To ensure consistent approach, an development of the territorial monitoring important step is to establish criteria for system of the Republic of Karelia, which is assessing the state of water, as well as being developed by the KarCHEM under standardizing monitoring and sampling the instruction of the Ministry of natural methods. resources and ecology of the Republic of The creation and development of the state Karelia in 2020. However, in order to ensure information systems that provides public good water and air quality in border areas,

ECO-Bridge 46 it is necessary to coordinate the efforts operation, transboundary waters, other of neighboring countries, which can only activities - Financing water protection in be organized within the framework of the neighbouring areas international cooperation. In addition, monitoring (mainly in short- Any attempt to evaluate water quality term) is also carried out in research projects. At monitoring programmes should begin its best, research projects provide additional with the question Why do we monitor? This information on the implementation of is stated e.g. by European Environment monitoring and the introduction of new Agency that is collecting data from national measurement methods. monitoring programmes of its member In Finland, open access to environmental states (https://www.eea.europa.eu/data- data is a common strategy and SYKE is a and-maps/figures/eea-member-countries- forerunner for that (syke.fi/opendatapolicy). coverage). It is very important to be able SYKE maintains a national water quality to describe the purposes and objectives of database where is stored all national monitoring as they create the background monitoring data, and data from local for the direct monitoring activities, i.e. the pollution control carried out by consultant set-up of sampling networks, variables to be firms and water protection associations. measured, sampling frequency, data storage Some research data is also stored in this and information utilization, including data register. Open access makes it possible to analysis and reporting. combine different kind of data and thus In Finland, the purpose of monitoring increases the value of the data. is generally laid down by laws or other Finland and Russia have their own regulatory actions (directives such as Water methods for water quality analyses and Framework Directive (WFD) and Nitrates assessment (standards, laboratory practices, Directive), water quality standards such as classification, norms, laws etc.). In this project local pollution control, and action plans such we compared our methodologies and as Baltic Sea Action Plan) and aim at assessing performed an intercalibration comparability the environmental state and detecting test for basic water quality monitoring trends. Often the same monitoring serves parameters to evaluate possible differences many different purposes. between results. This test gave us a lot There are many water policy instruments of information and also visiting in SYKE’s (see below) which also impose requirements and KarCHEM’s laboratories were brilliant for monitoring: ways to learn from each other and deepen m Planning and long-term target setting - our cooperation. SYKE invited KarCHEM National water protection programmes - to participate proficiency tests provided River Basin Management Plans (EU WFD) by SYKE’s reference laboratory (syke.fi/ m Legislation and enforcement proficiencytests). m Economic Instruments -Agri-environment SYKE monitors the state of the environment subsidy - Water and waste water charges with the help of satellite technology and is a European forerunner in the efficient use m Information, education and research of satellites (https://www.syke.fi/en-US/ m Financing - Rehabilitation of water bodies Current/Press_releases/Algal_rafts_water_ - Construction of wastewater and water temperature_ice_extent(58101). The TARKKA supply networks service (syke.fi/tarkka/en), which contains m International co-operation - Baltic Sea co- plenty of open data, can be accessed by

ECO-Bridge 47 anyone who wants to check on various catchments natural phenomena and environmental m improvement of land use data changes, e.g. water temperature, ice- m land use shares in the catchment area coverage, turbidity, Secchi disk transparency, above the observation point (agriculture, chlorophyll concentration, algae blooms and forest, bogs, point loads) humus absorption. In the TARKKA service m mapping and monitoring of water quality it is also possible to find information from in natural or near-natural areas in order to Russian side of the border and this could be assess the impact of human activities in used also by Russian people. polluted water bodies SYKE develops citizen science (syke. m re-evaluate the purpose of the monitoring fi/citizenscience) to form informed and widely supported solutions for pressing m check that the observation sites are environmental problems. Ordinary citizens, correctly located residents, pupils, amateur teams or NGOs m evaluate the range of variables to be are active agents creating new knowledge monitored about environment in various fields.m consider rotation of monitoring sites in Citizen’s voluntary contribution to research some areas may include data collecting or processing, m examine the possibility of including analysing and interpreting existing data. biological variables in monitoring Citizen science plays a role in monitoring the m consider the possibility of including impact of environmental policies and it raises remote sensing products in water status debate about policy options. monitoring m updating the monitoring program The SYKE team proposes the following as m testing of a continuous water quality areas for further development in the territory measurement device on both sides of the of the Republic of Karelia: border m a more precise delineation of hydrological m SYKE invited KarCHEM to participate catchments, especially transboundary proficiency tests provided by SYKE’s reference laboratory m in general, continuous analysis of results and response to change.

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