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Last changed: 8/02/11
Continuous measurements from some 400 stations in the monitoring networks of the Laender and the Federal Environment Agency are used for large-scale mapping of the pollution. The collected data represent air quality in the areas surrounding the measuring site. Interpolation procedures are applied to determine the measured air pollutants in a given area.
The maps available from the Federal Environment Agency map service (Kartendienst) are charted by means of optimal interpolation. The optimal interpolation method links measurement and modelling results. The background field drawn up on the basis of a pollutant dispersion model then integrates the values measured at the monitoring sites. The maps produced through this method provide excellent illustrations of the state of air quality in Germany.
The map service provides large-scale visualization of air pollution by nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and ozone in Germany starting in 2001. Locations with high levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide pollution are highlighted as ‘spots’ on the maps.