Bayesian estimation of European sulphur emissions using monitoring data and an acid deposition model

A statistical method for estimating national emissions of acidifying air po llutants in Europe is presented. The method uses an acid deposition model t o match official emissions data from European countries and measured deposi tions from a monitoring network. An application to 1990 sulphate data demon strates the method and suggests some tendencies in the reported emissions. The proposed framework may prove useful for verifying national compliance w ith emissions standards, and the method should be applicable also to other substances than sulphur dioxide. The problem of designing an optimal monito ring network may also be assessed within the proposed statistical framework .