What is Environmental Monitoring and how do we measure them?

This is where environmental monitoring comes in. Environmental monitoring refers to the instruments and methods created to study an environment, describe its quality, and set environmental parameters. In simpler terms, it is a way to accurately calculate how much the activity impacts the environment. The main objective of environmental monitoring is to manage and minimize the impacts business activities have on the environment by ensuring that they are complying with laws and regulations. Or making sure that they are reducing risks of harmful effects on the natural environment. Once data collection and statistical analysis are done, the information is published in a report on risk assessment, environmental monitoring, and impact assessment.

Due to the fact that this has to correlate to the environment, there are some rules in place that you would have to go through. If you are located in Canada, Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) and Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) are legally binding documents that are essential to a business’s day-to-day operations. These documents are granted by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to allow facilities to operate as long as they are able to certain terms and conditions are met.

There are four types of Environmental monitoring: air quality, water quality, noise quality, and biodiversity.

Air Quality

Given the significance of air quality regulations to human health, businesses and organizations are expected to adhere to them. Air quality can be tracked in real time by connecting software to sensors positioned in the desired location. These sensors are able to measure levels and report the main pollutants in the air, for example, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and ozone. Also, another way to measure air quality is manual with stations to collect air particles for a period of time before it is being measured.

Water

For life to exist on Earth, water is also necessary and must be monitored. As a result, it must be hygienic, clean, drinkable, and safe. Sensors can be positioned in bodies of water and connected to software, much like air monitoring. The sensors can tell us when thresholds are reached, for instance, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, bioindicators, nitrates, pH, chemical contamination, and water temperature. Another way of measuring or monitoring water samples is by manually collecting them and sending them to the lab.

Noise

Unlike the other two monitoring, noise can be seen in both marine life and on land. In the sea, animals use noises like how we use our eyes as humans. If there is too much noise pollution, it will make it hard for sea animals to communicate, causing them to be in danger. On land, noise can disrupt wildlife’s natural habitats and cause the quality of life for humans. In order to measure sound in both sea and land, sensors are placed in precise areas to collect data on real-time noise levels. The noise level thresholds are set ahead of time so that organizations know how much noise can be made. Monitoring noise in the sea will protect the sea life and their communication. On land, it will protect those close to industrial sites such as ports and airports.

Biodiversity

The existence of a population of species on earth and how they are impacted by climate change is referred to as biodiversity. Biomonitoring shows us how exactly our activities are impacting the environment due to biodiversity reactions. To develop a study on these activities and how they may be harming the environment, several types of animal and plant species are observed for a period of time.

To conclude, environmental monitoring of water, air, noise, and biodiversity allows businesses to identify and analyze how their activities can be impacting the environment. It is clear how important it can be to monitor the environment considering how many industries may not know they are impacting the natural environment negatively. Having businesses comply with the rules and regulations that are set will help protect the environment in the long run. If you need any assistance with your company meeting the environmental obligations, reach out to an agency like SONAIR Environmental which provides air, noise, waste, water and wastewater environmental consulting services for residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Book a consultation today at https://sonairenviro.com/environmental-compliance-approvals/!