Climate Detectives Projects 2019-2020

Project title: Carbon dioxide released in Batalha (locality of Portugal)

Team: The greenhouse effect tamers

2019-2020   Batalha secondary school   Batalha   Portugal   16 Student’s age: 12-13, 14-15

In this investigation we have studied the levels of Greenhouse gases (CO2) released in Batalha (locality of Portugal) – and their influence on the global climate. In order to do that study we measured the concentration of carbon dioxide, on the ground, with a kit that has sensors. The measurements took place in the surrounding area close to the Monastery of Batalha, a very well-known portuguese monument and landmark. The results obtained were then analysed, trying to understand their contribution to the greenhouse effect and, consequently, to the global climate. Finally, we propose solutions that aim to improve air quality in our locality.

We would like to mention that we started the project with a theoretical research trying to understand what the greenhouse effect is and what is its relationship with global warming. So we found that CO2 is a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect (a phenomenon resulting from the presence of some gases in our atmosphere which retain radiation in the infrared zone, contributing to increase the global temperature). Our second step was to collect data using a kit with sensors. When analyzing the collected data, we found that CO2 is a gas present in the atmosphere of Batalha, in different concentrations, depending on the locations where the measurement was made. It was in front of the Batalha Monastery that the highest concentration of this gas was found. The origin of such situation is mainly found in the existence of the complementary itinerary (IC2), a national road with a lot of traffic, located in front of the monument. The large circulation of traffic leads to the release of a high concentration of CO2 from the exhaust pipes of vehicles. It’s important to refer that this being one of the most visited monuments in Portugal, consequently leads to a lot of traffic, a high number of tourists, as well as the existence of many shops and restaurants. It should also be referred that we obtained a zero level of CO2 concentration, in a place where there is little or no traffic – Priest’s house square, surrounded by leafy trees. When performing photosynthesis, they consume the existing, CO2, thus contributing to the reduction of the concentration of this polluting gas in the atmosphere. We conclude that CO2 released in the village of Batalha will amplify the greenhouse effect, contributing to local and, most likely, global climate changes, one of which is global warming.

To reduce the release of CO2 in the village of Batalha, we propose a greater use of public and alternative transport, such as cycling or walking, the use of electric vehicles instead of those that use fossil fuels, the development of alternative solutions to change the transit on the complementary itinerary (IC2), planting trees in public spaces, conducting an awareness campaign with the offer of trees to the population, so that they can plant them on their own lands, public bicycles and scooters being made available by the City Council, which would be delivered in different locations in Batalha, bike paths should also be created on the streets of the village, especially close to the places with a large number of people and, finally, we suggest a constant monitoring of the air quality. For the accomplishment of the last action, we suggest the use of this measurement ground kit with which we worked.