Primarily the database contained mainly environmental data from RECETOX. When other institutions joined the Genasis system, the classification system expanded, and new items were added. For correct data import and subsequent data evaluation, classification system was created.  The form and content of each item in the classification system is given by actual database needs. When new important data are imported the system is edited. Several inventories were adopted in the form in which they are commonly used (land use, NUTS...).

All the imported data are harmonized to ensure data comparability during visualization and statistical analyses.

The ontology of the system is valid in March 2021.

Main items of the database structure are described in this part. Among these items belong:

• Institution
• Project
• Site
• Material
• Sample
• Value
• Parameter and unit 

Each item is characterized by several important attributes. These are also described below.

For correct data import Institution and Project must be matched to the data. It means that all numbers are connected to the data owner. Project/monitoring network is also defined by Institution/data owner.  Generally, Project is a meaningful comprehensive data set, measured under certain conditions in a certain period (long-term or short-term monitoring or pilot studies). The data provider cooperates with the data managers on the final form of information that is needed for the correct import of data so that it serves to meet the needs and requirements for subsequent data extraction (visualization and analysis). This is, for example, the addition of information regarding the sample collection and subsequent laboratory processing. Each sample carries an information about the parameters and the units that need to be recorded for the value.

Material

The item enables to choose the data set with comparable concentration units. Classification system is based on actual content and needs of the database. In case of adding new important data (new matrices), this classification will be broadened. There are some materials listed below that cannot be found in the database in this moment (March 2021). These are supposed to be included later. 

Most samples can be found in material Outdoor – Air, more than 30 000 samples. Consumer products contains least samples, 93; sampled as a pilot project in 2010.

Overview of main analytical matrices

Outdoor Air Deposition Plants Sediment Soil Water

Human tissues  Mothers’ milk Human blood

Indoor Air Dust

Consumer products Building materials Room furnishings and equipment Vehicular materials

Overview of all materials

Outdoor

Air Air Gas phase Air cascade HiVol <0,45 μm Air cascade HiVol 0,45-0,95 μm Air cascade HiVol 0,95-1,5 μm Air cascade HiVol 1,5-3 μm Air cascade HiVol 3-7,2 μm Air cascade HiVol 7,2-10 μm Air Cascade LowVol 0-0.25 μm Air Cascade LowVol 0.25-0.5 μm Air Cascade LowVol 0.5-1 μm Air Cascade LowVol 1-2.5 μm Air Cascade LowVol 2.5-10 μm Air Passive PUF Air PM < 2.5 μm Air PM < 5 μm Air PM < 10 μm Air TSP (total suspended particulate matter) Atmospheric Deposition Deposition Dry Deposition Mixed Deposition Wet	Sediment Sediment Surface Surface Porewater Surface Solid fraction Sewage sludge Sedimentary trap Stratified Soil Horizon A Horizon B Horizon C Horizon E Horizon G Horizon M Horizon O Surface Subsoil A Subsoil B Topsoil	Plants Barley spring whole plant Barley winter grain Barley winter straw Grass+Clover whole plant 1 felling Grass whole plant 1 felling Grass whole plant 2 felling Hop cone Moss whole plant Mustard seed Maize fodder Maize grain Maize silage Oat grain Peat Moss whole plant Pine dwarf shoots 2 years old Pine dwarf shoots 3 years old Pine needle 1 year old Pine needle 2 years old Pine needle 3 years old Pine needle 4 years old Pine needle litter Potato bulb Rapeseed winter seed Soya grain Sunflower seed Spruce needle 1 year old Spruce needle 2 years old Spruce needle 3 years old Triticale grain Wheat winter grain Wheat winter straw	Water Coastal Coastal brackish Ocean Surface freshwater Surface freshwater Dissolved Surface freshwater Dissolved (DOM+C-free) Surface freshwater Passive Surface freshwater Suspended Surface freshwater Reservoir Surface freshwater River Underground freshwater
Human Tissues Mothers’ milk Human blood	Indoor Air Air Gas phase Air Cascade LowVol 0-0.25 μm Air Cascade LowVol 0.25-0.5 μm Air Cascade LowVol 0.5-1 μm Air Cascade LowVol 1-2.5 μm Air Cascade LowVol 2.5-10 μm Air Passive PUF Air PM < 1 μm Air PM < 2.5 μm Air PM < 5 μm Air PM < 10 μm Air TSP (total suspended particulate matter) Dust Furniture wipe Window wipe	Consumer products Building-house-flooring-plastic Building-house-flooring-textile Building-house-door/window Building-construction-insulation-combined Building-construction-insulation-synthetic Interior-electronics-PC Interior-electronics-kitchen Interior-electronics-other Interior-furniture-filling-foam Interior-furniture-upholstery Interior-HVAC-conditioning Interior-HVAC-heating Interior-packing Interior-textile-bedding Interior-textile-carpet Interior-textile-cover Interior-textile-curtain Interior-toy-babies Vehicular-construction-synthetic-foam Vehicular-construction-synthetic-hardplastic Vehicular-construction-textile

Sampling site

Site is defined either by geographical coordinates (point) for environmental matrices or by spatial area, typically for mother’s milk. In Genasis further site description is appreciated (typically for outdoor samples). This classification (see below) enables better data organisation and comparison. The more information we get, the better data evaluation and analysis can be provided.

Completed information about detailed site description, such as whether the site is background or impacted or main pollution source is known only for less than 40 % of all sites.

Station type Background Impacted

Main pollution source Agricultural Industrial None Residential Traffic Waste sector

Settlement type High altitude Polar Remote Rural Suburban Urban

UN Region Africa America Asia Europe Oceania and Polar regions Other unspecified countries

There is a few more classification systems that help to provide comparable statistical data and better data evaluation, such as:

• NUTS = territorial units for statistics. It was established by European Parliament in 2003. For more information click here
  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32003R1059
• River basin,
• Land use, information about this classification you can find here
  https://land.copernicus.eu/user-corner/technical-library/corine-land-cover-nomenclature-guidelines/html

An example of Land use categories:

• Continuous urban fabric
• Discontinuous urban fabric
• Industrial or commercial units
• Road and rail networks and associated land
• Port areas
• Airports
• Mineral extraction sites
• Dump sites
• Construction sites
• Green urban areas
• Etc.

Parameter and Parameter Group

• POPs data prevail in the GENASIS database; however, additional parameter groups are included, such as heavy metals, microbiological, physical-chemical or toxicological parameters. Other parameters are added to the database according to needs of RECETOX or other cooperating institutions.

Organic compounds

PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)

List of analyzed parameters:

naphthalene, acenaphtylene, acenaphtene, fluorene, phenantrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(123cd)pyrene, dibenz(ah)anthracene, benzo(ghi)perylene, biphenyl, retene, benzo(b)fluorene, benzo-naphto-thiophene, benzo(ghi)fluoranthene, cyclopenta(cd)pyrene, triphenylene, benzo(j)fluoranthene, benzo(e)pyrene, perylene, dibenz(ac)anthracene, anthanthrene, coronene

List of calculated parameters:

• sum of 16 PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphtylene, acenaphtene, fluorene, phenantrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(123cd)pyrene, dibenz(ah)anthracene, benzo(ghi)perylene)
• sum of 28 PAHs (all excluding retene)
• sum of 29 PAHs (all)

Basic OCPs

List of analyzed parameters:

alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, delta-HCH, o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, PeCB, HCB

List of calculated parameters:

• sum of HCHs (alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, delta-HCH)
• sum of 3 p,p'-DDXs (pp‘-DDT, pp‘-DDD, pp‘-DDE)
• sum of 6 DDXs (pp‘-DDT, pp‘-DDD, pp‘-DDE, op‘-DDT, op‘-DDD, op‘-DDE)

OCPs

List of analyzed parameters:

heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide cis- (= exo, B), heptachlor epoxide trans- (= endo, A), aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, endrin ketone, isodrin, oxychlordane, cis-Nonachlor, trans-Nonachlor, trans-Chlordane (= gamma), cis-Chlordane (= alpha), endosulfan I (= alpha), endosulfan II (= beta), endosulfansulfate, chlordecone, methoxychlor, mirex, toxaphene Parlar 26, toxaphene Parlar 50, toxaphene Parlar 62

List of calculated parameters:

• sum of 2 Heptachlor epoxides (heptachlor epoxide cis- (= exo, B), heptachlor epoxide trans- (= endo, A))

Indicator PCBs

List of analyzed parameters:

PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 118, PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 180

List of calculated parameters:

• sum of 6 PCBs (PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 180)
• sum of 7 PCBs (PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 118, PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 180)

dl-PCBs

List of analyzed parameters:

PCB 77, PCB 81, PCB 105, PCB 114, PCB 123, PCB 126, PCB 156, PCB 157, PCB 167, PCB 169, PCB 170, PCB 189

List of calculated parameters:

• sum of dl-PCBs (all including PCB 118)
• TEQ WHO 1998 dl-PCB (lower, upper bound)
• TEQ WHO 2005 dl-PCB (lower, upper bound)

Other PCBs

List of analyzed parameters:

PCB 8, PCB 15, PCB 16+32, PCB 17, PCB 18, PCB 31, PCB 33, PCB 37, PCB 42, PCB 44, PCB 47, PCB 49, PCB 56+60, PCB 60, PCB 66, PCB 70, PCB 74, PCB 82, PCB 87, PCB 95, PCB 99, PCB 110, PCB 122, PCB 128, PCB 132, PCB 137, PCB 141, PCB 149, PCB 151, PCB 158, PCB 171, PCB 174, PCB 177, PCB 183, PCB 185, PCB 187, PCB 191, PCB 194, PCB 195, PCB 200, PCB 201, PCB 203, PCB 205, PCB 206, PCB 207, PCB 208, PCB 209

PCDDs/Fs

List of analyzed parameters:

2378-TCDF, 12378-PeCDF, 23478-PeCDF, 123478-HxCDF, 123678-HxCDF, 234678-HxCDF, 123789-HxCDF, 1234678-HpCDF, 1234789-HpCDF, OCDF, 2378-TCDD, 12378-PeCDD, 123478-HxCDD, 123678-HxCDD, 123789-HxCDD, 1234678-HpCDD, OCDD, total tetrafurans, total pentafurans, total hexafurans, total heptafurans, total tetradioxins, total pentadioxins, total hexadioxins, total heptadioxins

List of calculated parameters:

• sum of PCDFs (2378-TCDF, 12378-PeCDF, 23478-PeCDF, 123478-HxCDF, 123678-HxCDF, 234678-HxCDF, 123789-HxCDF, 1234678-HpCDF, 1234789-HpCDF, OCDF)
• sum of PCDDs (2378-TCDD, 12378-PeCDD, 123478-HxCDD, 123678-HxCDD, 123789-HxCDD, 1234678-HpCDD, OCDD)
• sum of PCDDs/Fs (2378-TCDF, 12378-PeCDF, 23478-PeCDF, 123478-HxCDF, 123678-HxCDF, 234678-HxCDF, 123789-HxCDF, 1234678-HpCDF, 1234789-HpCDF, OCDF, 2378-TCDD, 12378-PeCDD, 123478-HxCDD, 123678-HxCDD, 123789-HxCDD, 1234678-HpCDD, OCDD)
• I-TEQ PCDD (lower, upper bound)
• I-TEQ PCDF (lower, upper bound)
• I-TEQ PCDD/F (lower, upper bound)
• TEQ WHO 1998 PCDD (lower, upper bound)
• TEQ WHO 1998 PCDF (lower, upper bound)
• TEQ WHO 1998 PCDD/F (lower, upper bound)
• TEQ WHO 2005 PCDD (lower, upper bound)
• TEQ WHO 2005 PCDF (lower, upper bound)
• TEQ WHO 2005 PCDD/F (lower, upper bound)

HBCDs

List of analyzed parameters:

alpha-HBCD, beta-HBCD, gamma-HBCD, delta-HBCD

List of calculated parameters:

• sum of HBCDs (alpha-HBCD, beta-HBCD, gamma-HBCD, delta-HBCD)

PBDEs

List of analyzed parameters:

PBDE 17, PBDE 28, PBDE 47, PBDE 49, PBDE 66, PBDE 77, PBDE 85, PBDE 99, PBDE 100, PBDE 118, PBDE 126, PBDE 138, PBDE 139, PBDE 153, PBDE 154, PBDE 181, PBDE 183, PBDE 196, PBDE 197, PBDE 203, PBDE 207, PBDE 209

List of calculated parameters:

• sum of PBDEs (all 22 parameters)

PFC

List of analyzed parameters:

PFBA, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, PFTrDA, PFTeDA, PFBS, PFHxS, PFHpS, PFOS, PFDS, MeFOSA, EtFOSA, FOSA, MeFOSE, EtFOSE, FHET, FOET, FDET

PBB

List of analyzed parameters:

moBB 3, diBB 15, triBB 18, teBB 52, peBB 101, hxBB 153, hpBB 180, ocBB 194, noBB 206, deBB 209

CUP

List of analyzed parameters:

acetochlor, alachlor, atrazine, azinphos methyl, carbaryl, carbendazim, clopyralid, diazinon, dichlofluanid, dimethachlor, dimethoate, disulfoton, diuron, fenitrothion, fenoxaprop ethyl, fenpropimorph, florasulam, fluroxypyr, fonofos, chlorothalonil, chlorpyrifos, chlorsulphuron, chlortoluron, isoproturon, malathion, metamitron, metazachlor, metholachlor, metribuzin, parathion metyl, pendimethalin, phosmet, pirimicarb, prochloraz, propiconazole, pyrazon, simazine, tebuconazole, temephos, terbufos, terbuthylazine, tribenuron-metyl, trifluralin

PCNs

List of analyzed parameters:

PCN 2, PCN 6, PCN 13, PCN 27, PCN 28+36, PCN 46, PCN 48, PCN 50, PCN 52, PCN 53, PCN 66, PCN 69, PCN 72, PCN 73, PCN 75

List of calculated parameters:

• sum of PCNs (all 15 parameters)

Novel BFR

List of analyzed parameters:

DBDPE, BTBPE, HBB, PBEB, pTBX, PBT, TBCO, TBECH, BEHTBP, EHTBB, HCDBCO, ATE, DPTE, BATE, s-DP, a-DP, DPMA

OPFR

List of analyzed parameters:

TiBP, TnBP, TCEP, TCPP, DBPP, BDPP, TDCPP, TPhP, EDP, TBEP, CDP, TEHP, ToTP, TmTP, TpTP, TIPPP, TDMPP, TDBPP, TpTBPP, TPrP, TPeP

Other parameter groups

Elements and metals

List of analyzed parameters:

Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Tl, U, V, Zn

Physicochemical parameters

List of analyzed parameters:

total nitrogen, total content of dissolved organic compounds, total dissolved solids, total carbonates, total organic carbon, total inorganic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, dissolved inorganic carbon, fulvic acids, humic acids, density, clay (< 1 µm), clay (< 10 µm), clay (< 2 µm), clay (< 6 µm), clay (1 - 10 µm), sand (100 - 2000 µm), sand (250 - 2000 µm), sand (50 - 250 µm), sand (50 - 100 µm), silt (10 - 50 µm), maximum capillar water capacity, minimum air capacity, momentary airiness, absorbency, volume mass reduced, volume humidity, porosity, Q4/6, pH (CaCl2), pH (H2O), pH (KCl), sample weight, lipid content, dry mass

Microbiological parameters

List of analyzed parameters:

ammonification, basal soil respiration, long-term nitrification, microbial biomass, extracellular extractable carbon, potential ammonification, potential nitrification, substrate-induced respiration

Toxicology

List of analyzed parameters:

AA-IC50, AE-IC50, BIOTEQ (TCDD equivalent), estrogenic equivalent, microtox EC50

Silicate analysis

List of analyzed parameters:

Al2O3, CaO, CO2, combined water, Fe2O3, K2O, Li2O, MgO, MnO, Na2O, P2O5, SiO2, SO3, TiO2, loss on ignition

Anions and cations

List of analyzed parameters:

Al (ion), Ba (ion), Ca (ion), Fe (ion), K (ion), Mg (ion), Mn (ion), Na (ion), chlorides, hydrogen carbonates, sulphates

Cation exchange capacity

List of analyzed parameters:

Meh-Ca, Meh-H, Meh-K, Meh-Mg, Meh-P, Al (ex), Ca (ex), Fe (ex), K (ex), Mg (ex), Mn (ex), Na (ex), exchange acidity, maximum sorption capacity, potential CEC

Methods - sampling, preparation, analysis

Samples are collected using various methods (see below). Sample preparation and analysis is done in each laboratory according to their standardized methods.

Sampling is an important step of data collecting. Sampling of the data belonging to one project should fulfil specific conditions defined during project plan to ensure comparable results.

Sampling methods

Outdoor - air Active sampling High volume sampler (hi-vol) Low volume sampler (low-vol) Passive sampling Passive sampler polyurethane foam, PUF Passive, SIP Passive sampler XAD	Outdoor – atmospheric deposition Mix Wet Sampling vessel	Outdoor - soil Soil stratified Spade, shovel, spoon	Outdoor – plant Hand sampling (shovel, trowel) Manual collection of whole plant Manual collection of fresh shed needles (no older than 3 years) Manual collection of old shed needles Picking needles
Outdoor - sediment Sedimentary trap Hand sampling (spade, shovel) Sediment stratified	Outdoor – water Bulk sampling Pore water filtration Coloids filtering out (for metals and ions) Alluvium in units / g Passive sampling Passive, silicone Passive sampler XAD Passive sampler EMPORE Passive sampler POCIS Passive sampler SPMD Passive sampler LDPE Passive sampler polyurethane foam (PUF) Passive sampler GEL Rosette Outboard Ship intake system	Human milk Data concerning human milk come from WHO organization (in cooperation with UNEP), so sampling methods were used according to their methodology. More information about sampling methods you can find here POPprotocol.pdf Individual samples National pool	Indoor For the dust collecting, following methods are used: Sweeping Wiping VacuumThis part defines how the sample was manipulated in laboratory after the collection. Usually, the preparation method is in connection with the analysis method.

Preparation method

POPs are usually prepared using specific extraction and purification, in some cases these steps are followed by fractionation. All these steps can be specified in the Genasis system.

Analysis

After preparation the sample is measured to get its specific value.

Some examples:

• GC-MS
• GC-HRMS
• HPLC-MS
• glass ion selective electrode
• carbon analyzator
• Etc.