Citizen science with small sensor networks. Collaboration between a Dutch EPA (RIVM) and local initiatives

In this chapter, we describe a number of the citizen science projects RIVM took part in. The Smart Emission project in Nijmegen is one of the pilot projects. In this book chapter, we give examples of the lessons learned and the experiences gained. We provide a brief description of the planned innovations of the environmental monitoring, and how these innovations will help to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of citizen science measurements. The initial focus will be on air quality, but we expect that application is possible with other environmental parameters such as noise and water quality, light, vibration, radiation and meteorological parameters. These applications will follow in a later phase of the program. The final goal is to have a hybrid, flexible (air quality) network using different types of sensors, consisting of reference instruments, sensors of intermediate cost and quality, low cost sensors, and satellite observations. The data of this network may be provided by different parties, including citizens groups, cities, NGOs and official measurement institutes. In short, our ambition is to make citizen science data an integral part of standard procedures and models for determining air quality.