Biotic Community: Air

"Biocenosis: Air" transfers atmospheric monitoring from the mode of fixing individual excesses to the mode of early warning, determining the likely source, forecasting the transfer, assessing the impact and verifying the result of the measures taken. The system complements, but does not replace, state environmental, sanitary and hydrometeorological control.

The scientifically accurate core of the project is the monitoring of the aerobic, bioaerosols and physico-chemical matrix of the air environment. The term "biocenosis" is retained as a strong project name, with the document directly delineating the detection of a biological marker, viability, activity, infectiousness, and real risk.

Six management issues

1. What is happening to the air now?
2. Is the change natural, seasonal, or dangerous?
3. Where is the likely source?
4. Where and at what speed does the impact move?
5. Who and what ecosystems are at risk?
6. What action is necessary and has it produced a measurable result?

Document structure

1. The meaning of the project
2. Scientific framework and working definition
3. Mission, purpose and objectives
4. Principles of the system
5. Object and limits of observation
6. The observation circuit
7. Indicators and normative benchmarks
8. Measuring network
9. Data Architecture EQUILIBRIUM
10. Atlas of Threats
11. Algorithm of reaction
12. ECO-PPA as implementation contour
13. Distribution of roles
14. Pilot for 12 months
15. KPI and Evidence
16. Risks and constraints
17. Scaling
18. Final decision and sources

1. The meaning of the project

Traditional air monitoring is more often organized according to individual departmental contours: meteorology, chemical pollutants, sanitary supervision, biological observations and enterprise data exist nearby, but are not always linked into a single causal picture. The project creates a cross-cutting management chain:

• to observe physical, chemical and biological factors simultaneously;
• distinguish between seasonal background, local anomaly and long-distance transfer;
• associate the measurement with a likely source and a sensitive receptor;
• to predict the development of the situation and the time of reaching vulnerable objects;
• formalize measures as verifiable projects ECO-PPA;
• check the effect of the intervention on the data before, after and in the control area.

2. Scientific framework and working definition

2.1. Why the term requires explanation

In strict ecology, biocenoses are a collection of interacting populations inhabiting a particular biotope. For a large part of organisms, the atmosphere serves as a temporary medium of transport. Therefore, it is impossible to declare the entire atmosphere as a single proven self-sustaining biocenosis. More precise scientific terms: aerobics, aerobics, atmospheric microbiome, and bioaerosol.

2.2. Working definition

"Biocenosis: Air" is the project name of a dynamic natural and man-made system, including aerobic and biological particles of the air environment, the physical and chemical matrix of the atmosphere, sources, processes of transfer and transformation, objects of influence, as well as digital and organizational mechanisms of risk prevention and management.

An aerobiome is a dynamic set of microorganisms in a given airspace, changing depending on the season, time of day, meteorological conditions, type of surface and the origin of air masses. Studies show reproducible daily and seasonal changes in the composition of the atmospheric microbiome, as well as long-range transport of microorganisms [8–12].

3. Mission, purpose and objectives

Strategic objective: To ensure continuous monitoring, forecasting and managed recovery of air quality and associated natural systems based on evidence.

• to form a multi-component picture of the air condition;
• identify chemical, physical and biological abnormalities;
• identify likely sources and routes of transfer;
• forecast the situation on the horizons 6, 24 and 72 hours;
• assess the impact on the population, plants, animals and microorganisms;
• create targeted warning and response scenarios;
• to form passports of the air environment of the territories;
• create an evidence base ECO-PPA and verify the result of each intervention;
• scale solutions from individual facility to region and cross-border space.

4. Principles of the system

• Scientific correctness: reproducible methods, quality control, field and laboratory controls.
• Harm prevention: an early signal is more valuable than a late fixation of damage.
• Multilevel: Continuous sensors are complemented by reference instruments, laboratories and remote data.
• Separation of statuses: observation, analytical hypothesis and confirmed conclusion are marked separately.
• Uncertainty: next to the forecast and index, a level of trust is published.
• Person in the loop: mandatory decisions are made by an authorized person or body.
• Compatibility: the system is built into the existing state and scientific contours.
• Evidence: Each activity is related to the starting level, purpose and verification of the result.
• Openness and protection: Anonymized environmental data is opened, sensitive information is protected.
• Non-repression of life: the goal is to manage hazardous sources and exposure, not to sterilize the outside air.

5. Object and limits of observation

The main object is the surface layer of the atmosphere and the physical, chemical and biological components circulating in it, associated with a specific territory, sources and receptors of influence. Each program specifies a geographic boundary, altitude range, season, observation period, and receptor class.

Spatial levels

1. Point: school, hospital, residential yard, workplace or enterprise.
2. Microzone: a neighborhood, industrial site, park or agricultural facility.
3. Municipal area: city or district.
4. Air pool: an area connected by common air flows.
5. Regional network: municipal, industrial and background points.
6. Interregional and transboundary level: long-range transport of smoke, dust, allergens and pollutants.

Functional boundaries

Outdoor air, indoor air and human breathing area do not mix in one array without marking. The internal environment is taken into account as a conjugate module, because the sources, standards and management methods are different. The system does not replace clinical diagnosis, epidemiological investigation and official authority of the authorities.

6. The observation circuit

7. Indicators and normative benchmarks

7.1. Baseline indicator system

7.2. WHO guidelines 2021

The WHO recommendations are a health-preventive guideline and do not replace national standards. In the official Russian assessment, the current sanitary requirements are applied; before submitting the document, it is necessary to check the current edition of SanPiN 1.2.3685-21 [1, 6].

Note: WHO daily levels are reported as the 99st percentile, not the absolute maximum. For ozone, a separate logic of the peak season and the eight-hour average [1] is used.

7.3. Indices

1. Physical and chemical air quality index;
2. Aerobiota status index;
3. Exposure safety index;
4. Sustainability index and regenerative capacity of the territory.

8. Measuring network

The network is built on the principle of "reference kernel" + Distributed nodes + Laboratory + Mobile Outline + "Model and Aerospace Data." Low-budget sensors do not receive regulatory measurement status automatically: co-location with support equipment, correction of humidity and temperature influences, maintenance and recalibration are necessary3, 5].

• one reference-level reference station or integration with an existing one;
• 10–15 distributed sensor nodes;
• 3–5 bioaerosol and pollen sampling posts;
• one background control point;
• mobile measuring complex and route surveys;
• reference laboratory and confirmatory laboratories;
• episodic vertical profiling;
• satellite, model and meteorological data.

Methods of biological contour

Pollen and spores are determined by microscopy or automated methods; bacteria and fungi by quantitative PCR, 16S/ITS-profiling and, according to a reasonable program, metagenomics. Viability, cultivability, metabolic activity, toxigenicity and infectiousness are evaluated by separate methods. Field, transport and laboratory controls are mandatory for low-mass samples.

9. Data Architecture EQUILIBRIUM

Passport Measurement

• unique identifier, date, time, coordinates and height;
• Method, unit of measure, detection limit and calibration;
• uncertainty assessment, quality sign and algorithm version;
• origin of data and full log of changes;
• for the sample - selector, packaging, transport and storage chain.

10. Atlas of Threats

11. Algorithm of reaction

Step 1. Detect

Normative excess, deviation from the seasonal background, a combination of signals or a forecast of dangerous development.

Step 2. Check the quality

Instrument health, calibration, humidity, neighboring nodes and meteorological plausibility.

Step 3. Verify

Independent method, re-selection, reference laboratory and verification of operations at the source.

Step 4. Assess the risk

Hazard × exposure × vulnerability; trust and urgency are specified separately.

Step 5. Set Source

Wind, reverse trajectories, source register, profiles and mobile survey.

Step 6. Predict

Area of impact and sensitive objects on the horizon 6, 24 and 72 Hours.

Step 7. Make a decision

Green, yellow, orange or red; action approved by competent authority.

Step 8. Check the effect

Before/after comparison, control area, comparable weather and residual risk.

Step 9. Close and learn

The final card of the event, the reason, the effectiveness, the update of the model and regulations.

12. ECO-PPA as implementation contour

ECO-PPA converts observations into funded prevention and recovery packages. Each packet receives a passport linking the problem, the baseline, the solution, the resources, the deadline, and the proof of outcome.

1. problem, source and baseline;
2. target result and technical or organizational solution;
3. responsible participants and the amount of resources;
4. funding scheme and outcome indicators;
5. methodology of monitoring, reporting and verification;
6. terms, grounds for continuation and stop conditions;
7. residual risk and data access rules.

13. Distribution of roles

14. Pilot for 12 months

The pilot is selected on the territory where residential, natural, transport and production zones are combined, there are sensitive objects, a background point, a laboratory partner and the readiness of the authorities. One year covers the seasonal cycle, but does not form a multi-year climate norm.

Proposed pilot areas

• the background natural point;
• residential and public area;
• transport corridor;
• industrial or municipal area;
• agricultural facility;
• A sensitive receptor is a school, hospital, or social institution.

15. KPI and evidentiary value

Below are the project targets for discussion. They are approved after the survey of the territory, the choice of equipment and the coordination of the methodology.

16. Risks and constraints

17. Roadmap for scaling

18. Final decision and sources

18.1. Launch Solution

1. approve the two-level name: "Biocenosis: Air" / "Monitoring of aerobic and biological factors of air quality";
2. determine the customer of the pre-project stage and the owner of the result;
3. choose a pilot territory and a reference laboratory;
4. 60 days to prepare a scientific protocol, a map of sources and receptors, network architecture and data quality plan;
5. Agree on a matrix of authority and response rules;
6. launch 12-month pilot with independent verification and packages ECO-PPA.

18.2. Status of the document

The document is conceptual and is intended for pre-project discussion. Threshold values, equipment composition, legal model, budget and official regulations are approved after the territory is surveyed, consultations with authorized bodies and verification of current regulatory requirements.

18.3. Main sources

[1] WHO. Global Air Quality Guidelines (2021). https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228

[2] WMO. Global Atmosphere Watch Programme. https://community.wmo.int/site/knowledge-hub/programmes-and-initiatives/global-atmosphere-watch-gaw-programme

[3] UNEP. GEMS/Air. https://www.unep.org/topics/environment-under-review/gems-air

[4] Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. Global atmospheric composition forecasts. https://ads.atmosphere.copernicus.eu/datasets/cams-global-atmospheric-composition-forecasts

[5] European Environment Agency. European Air Quality Index. https://airindex.eea.europa.eu/AQI/index.html

[6] SanPiN 1.2.3685-21. Official publication. https://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001202102030022

[7] Roshydromet. Air pollution status yearbooks. https://www.meteorf.gov.ru/product/infomaterials/ezhegodniki/

[8] Gusareva et al. Short-timescale dynamics of the airborne microbiome. PNAS, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1908493116

[9] Gusareva et al. Seasonal and diurnal variations of airborne microbiomes in Western Siberia. Scientific Reports, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78604-8

[10] Mayol et al. Long-range transport of airborne microbes over the global tropical and subtropical ocean. Nature Communications, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-00110-9

[11] Vaïtilingom et al. Potential impact of microbial activity on the oxidant capacity and organic carbon budget in clouds. PNAS, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1205743110

[12] Archer et al. Air mass source drives bacterial and fungal community composition above the Great Barrier Reef. ISME Journal, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-019-0555-0

[13] WHO, FAO, UNEP, WOAH. One Health Joint Plan of Action. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240059139