This e-learning module introduces users to a variety of environmental monitoring tools commonly used in citizen science campaigns to track pollutants linked to fossil fuel industries. Designed to be accessible to everyone, the tools presented allow one to monitor: 

• Air pollutants including volatile organic compounds (VOCsVolatile Organic Compounds More), hydrogen sulphide (H₂SHydrogen sulfide More), sulphur dioxide (SO₂Slur dioxide More), and other substances related to fossil fuel combustion. 

• Water and soil contaminants such as acids, salts, heavy metals, and organic compounds like total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHsTotal Petroleum Hydrocarbons More). 

Each technology is accompanied by a detailed information sheet and is categorized based on three main criteria: 

• Origin: Tools are either commercial or do-it-yourself (DIYDo It Yourself More). 

• Cost: Commercial tools are divided into low-cost (less than approx. €2,000) and mid-cost (between approx. €2,000 and €30,000). DIY tools generally fall within the low-cost range. 

• Approach: Technologies are differentiated by how they allow one to collect data— either through the direct detection of a pollutant, the collection of samples, or the recording of environmental parameters. 

Users can explore the tools via an interactive menu organized by environmental matrix (air, water, or soil) and then by origin and cost. Alternatively, tools can be accessed directly by selecting the sensors using the web assistant. Within each matrix, users can focus on pollutants specifically associated with fossil fuel activities. 

In addition to the technical data sheets, this module includes two explanatory videos that present other tools and approaches for environmental monitoring—one focusing on air pollution and the other covering both water and soil, and an additional section focused on biomonitoring techniques for the environmental control. 

Acronyms and chemical formulas: 

BTEXIn the petroleum refining and petrochemical industries, the initialism BTX refers to mixtures of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and the three xylene isomers, all of which are aromatic hydrocarbons.  More: In the petroleum refining and petrochemical industries, the acronym BTEXIn the petroleum refining and petrochemical industries, the initialism BTX refers to mixtures of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and the three xylene isomers, all of which are aromatic hydrocarbons.  More refers to mixtures of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and the three xylene isomers, all of which are aromatic hydrocarbons. 

CH₄Methane More: Methane 

COCarbon monoxide More: Carbon monoxide  

CO₂Carbon dioxide More: Carbon dioxide 

H₂S: Hydrogen sulfide 

NOxIn atmospheric chemistry, NOₓ is shorthand for nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), the nitrogen oxides that are most relevant for air pollution. More: Shorthand for nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), the nitrogen oxides that are most relevant for air pollution 

PAHsPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon More: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 

PM₁₀Particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less. Also referred to as inhalable coarse particles. More: Particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less. Also referred to as inhalable coarse particles. 

PM₂.₅: Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. Also referred to as fine particles.  

ppbA unit of concentration expressed as parts per billion. Equivalent to 1 x 10⁻⁹. More: Parts per billion (a way of expressing concentrations, equivalent to 1 x 10⁻⁹). 

ppmA unit of concentration expressed as parts per million. Equivalent to 1 x 10⁻⁶. More: Parts per million (a way of expressing concentrations; equivalent to 1 x 10⁻⁶). 

SO₂Slur dioxide More: Sulfur dioxide 

TPHsTotal Petroleum Hydrocarbons More: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons 

VOCsVolatile Organic Compounds More: Volatile Organic Compounds