Baseline studies are important for any project.
The baseline serves as a benchmark or reference point for all future activities. It is typically done at the beginning of a project to establish the current status of a situation. A baseline survey with regards to pollution, is one that takes an established aspect of pollution at a certain point in time - then measuring against that standard reference to observe if efforts have been made. Looking at past data records may be useful in determining baseline levels
Types of baselines that can be measured:
- Current state of water, air and noise pollution
- Chemicals and pesticides present at a site
- Current waste management practices
