The main task of comprehensive background monitoring is to identify and record indicators that characterize the natural background (the state of the natural environment that has not been directly influenced by human activity), as well as global and regional changes in the development of the biosphere.
Currently there are 5 stations operating in the Russian Federation:
station in Prioksko-Terrasny Biosphere Reserve;
station in the Voronezh Biosphere Reserve;
station in the Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve;
station in the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve;
station in the Altai Biosphere Reserve;
Mariinsk-Uralskaya station (work has been underway since 2022).
On the territory of the Republic of Belarus there is a background monitoring station in the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve.
Data obtained at KPM stations are used to characterize the temporal and spatial characteristics of environmental pollution and are regularly published in a number of information products of Roshydromet.
The Scientific and Methodological Analytical Center provides scientific and methodological management of the complex background monitoring network, conducts chemical analysis of sent samples, as well as analysis and synthesis of all data, and periodic generation of information products – reviews, reports, certificates, scientific publications.
At KPM stations, one of the principles of background monitoring is implemented – a comprehensive study of the content of pollutants in ecosystem components. In this regard, the observation program at SKFM includes systematic measurements of the content of pollutants simultaneously in all environments, supplemented by hydrometeorological data. As a rule, observations at SKFM are carried out according to a single program, including:
a list of priority pollutants in atmospheric air, precipitation, surface waters, bottom sediments, soil, vegetation and animal tissues;
list of hydrometeorological parameters;
frequency of observations and measurements.
Comprehensive background monitoring is carried out at a network of monitoring stations located in geographical space in accordance with certain criteria, while observations/measurements are carried out in relation to a priority group of pollutants.
Goals of comprehensive background monitoring of environmental pollution:
determination of basic levels of contamination of geophysical environments typical for the regions where QPM stations are located;
identification and assessment of long-term trends in pollution levels and stable pollutant anomalies on time scales of up to a year;
determination of intermedia flows of pollutants and their accumulation rates;
assessment of the criticality of content levels, the magnitude of intermedia flows and accumulation of pollutants in geophysical environments for natural and other systems, including using biological indicators and sanitary and hygienic standards (if any).
