Winds regularly transport dust from the Saharan desert across the Mediterranean. Dust is a natural constituent of the complex mixture of particles which are suspended in the air. In contrast to human-caused air pollution, natural events are not counted as contribution to exceedances of air pollution limit values. As such, they need to be clearly identified and the Saharan dust events determined unambiguously.
We have started surface and air measurements to determine the optical properties of dust which will be used to identify the Saharan dust events. The aircraft measurements will be used to determine the dust properties before they are mixed with polluted air close to the ground. Ground measurements will be combined with these parameters to discriminate between human caused pollution and natural dust, and determine the contribution of dust to particle concentrations.
Pilot
Flying with an ultra-light aircraft in Asia is a real challenge. Large uninhabited and remote areas of Siberia, the interior of Mongolia, western China, Kazakhstan, demanding logistics, bad weather, turbulence, fuel delivery, demanding overflights and landings permissions, unpredictable costs ... There is no doubt a truer research adventure.
Scientist
Measurements over large unpopulated areas over Asia and Siberia in particular will help us understanding the background concentrations of Black Carbon and other carbonaceous pollutants and their contribution to climate change.
The planet Earth is getting warmer.
Black Carbon adds more than 1 W/m2 to the greenhouse effect.
Black Carbon is the second-largest contributor to global warming after CO2.
7 million people worldwide die every year due to air pollution.
Sea level is rising fast.
Biomass burning, transport and industry emit large amounts of Black Carbon into air.
- Flying distance of over 200 000 km
- Over all oceans
- Over all continents
- Airborne 1000+ hours
- Performed measurements in more than 110 countries
- Took more than 60 000 measurements
- Prepared more than 35 scientific presentations
- Published more than 27 scientific abstracts
- Over 1200 media releases and exhibitions
- General Eco partner
- Green partner
- Scientific partner
