SAAERO · SArajevo AEROsol Experiment: Composition, Sources and Health Effects of Atmospheric Aerosol
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2022-01-01 → 2023-12-31
- EU contribution
- €150,040
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
SArajevo AEROsol Experiment: Composition, Sources and Health Effects of Atmospheric Aerosol
The project SAAERO uses characterization of aerosol physico-chemical properties by means of state-of-the-art field and laboratory measurements and source apportionment methodology to investigate a global air pollution hotspot - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The World Health Organization (WHO) identified air pollution as the world’s largest single environmental health risk causing seven million deaths yearly. The atmospheric particulate matter (PM) suspended in the atmosphere, or aerosol, has well documented detrimental effects on human health and air quality and is the key uncertainty in assessing the anthropogenic influence on climate change. Nowadays, of particular interest and concern are heavily polluted, and yet severely understudied, urban centres in emerging countries5. Particularly during the winter season, urban centres in countries of the Western Balkan region are experiencing some of the poorest European and global air quality. It is imperative to understand ambient aerosols sources and transformations in the counties of the Western Balkan in terms of their adverse health and transboundary effects. Specifically, characterization of aerosol physicochemical properties during long term measurements to elucidate their sources, atmospheric processing and health effects has never been done in B&H. Recorded aerosol ambient concentrations in the last decade show that pollution episodes during cold, heating seasons are becoming increasingly severe due to growth of the urban centres, indicating major environmental and public health crises while science-based characterization of poor air quality in B&H and its adverse health effects do not exist. Specific objectives of the action - SAAERO project proposed here are: SO1) Field measurements of PM2.5 will be conducted at Bjelave site in Sarajevo, B&H. SO2) Laboratory measurements of PM2.5 chemical composition will be conducted for collected filter samples. SO3) Source apportionment of PM2.5 will elucidate their emission sources, ambient processing and health effects through oxidative potential. SO4) Compilation of Sarajevo PM2.5 physicochemical properties will explain its sources, processing and health effects.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Aerosolized particulate matter (PM), suspended in the atmosphere, particularly its fine fraction, has well documented detrimental effects on air quality, human health and ecosystems. Every winter, the Western Balkan (WB) region is experiencing some of the poorest European and global air quality, due to the extensive use of solid fuels for domestic heating and an old vehicle fleet. Countries of the WB lack state-of-the-art atmospheric scientific research despite high levels of ambient pollution. It is imperative to understand the sources and mechanisms governing such air pollution. The SAAERO project proposes setting-up the first systematic extended measurements of fine aerosol in the city of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, to deliver detailed aerosol physico-chemical characterization and quantify their effects. During six months, measurements will be performed with on-line, high time resolution (total, organic and elemental carbon, and black carbon) instrument and daily, continuous filter samples will be collected for off-line laboratory analyses. Additionally, during an intensive two week field campaign, aerosol chemical composition will be measured with state-of-the-art aerosol mass spectrometer on board a mobile research laboratory. Subsequent off-line analyses of aerosol filter samples will give detailed aerosol chemical composition from bulk to source-specific organic marker species, and the sample oxidative potential, which will be used as a health effects proxy. Finally, sophisticated source apportionment methodology will be used to deduce PM emission sources, atmospheric processing of emissions. A novel methodology linking aerosol fractions and oxidative potential will be developed to assign health effects to specific sources. The proposed SAAERO project aims for a strong and lasting impact in understanding and resolving current major environmental and health crises in the entire WB region, establishing a solid baseline for the abatement intervention.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERZA V NOVI GORICI · Nova GoricaCoordinatorSlovenia
Links
- View on CORDIS
- DOI: 10.3030/101028909
- https://www.ung.si/en/news/news/6536/the-university-of-nova-gorica-and-the-federal-hydro-meteorological-institute-of-bosnia-and-herzegovina-signed-a-cooperation-agreement/
Data: CORDIS, © European Union