Climate Detectives Projects 2018-2019

Project title: The way air pollution affects climate in a Mediterranean city named Volos, Greece

Team: TALOS

2018-2019   TALOS University of Thessaly   Volos   Greece   10 Student’s age: 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

In our project we will investigate the particulate pollution of a typical coastal Mediterranean city, namely Volos in order to find out the behavior of PM10’s concentration values during the days and nights.Several epidemiological studies have shown the significant impact of particulate air pollution on human health. These adverse effects are related to both short-term and long-term exposure to particulate pollution. Suspended particulate matter, among other environmental factors, is considered as one of the most harmful types of air pollution, especially the inhalable particulate matter (PM10), which appears to cause respiratory health effects and heart diseases. We will also measure CO and CH4 which are related with climate change

To investigate our problem we will consider what are the problems. The problem of air pollution in Volos is related with the local topography and city plan, as well as with an extensive network of stationary (industry, central heating) and mobile air pollutant sources. The city has also other pollution sources, such as harbor activities, residential emissions and vehicular traffic. The climate of Volos is of Mediterranean type with wet, mild winters and hot, dry summers. The average daily winter (December, January, February) temperature is 8.8 0C and 26.1 0C for the summer (June, July, August). The values of PM10, CO, and CH4 were higher during the measurement period. Also we used the index PSI to describe the problem as it it is shown in the figures

To make a difference we will propose some possible actions. we will press the authorities to reduce emissions from vehicles. This should be done by reducing traffic, especially in the center of the city and prohibiting the passage of trucks, using bicycle or walking. We can create an application for free that can be downloaded in any mobele phone to inform citizens about air pollution limits any time. We will encourage citizens to use public transport. We can make some air pollution stations using arduino in some place in the city center using an international index to inform people about air pollution in real time