EMME-CARE was presented and discussed in the context of the kick-off meeting for ACTRIS IMP that took place on week commencing the 2nd of March 2020 in Larnaca.
In collaboration with the Laboratory for Sciences of Climate and Environment (LSCE) of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the Cyprus Atmospheric Observatory has been monitoring pollens and fungal spores present in the atmosphere since 2017. In the frame of EMME-CARE project and following the methodology developed by the French Aerobiological Monitoring Network (RNSA), CAO is developing a network of bioaerosols and aerosols observations in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East to study their impact on human health and climate in the greater region.
The Cyprus Institute is also a plateform of test for online detection instruments.
Monitoring of bioareosols is performed through weekly sampling on adhesive tapes (Lanzoni – VPPS 2000; Cavazza Anna – easySPT100) and aerosols on filters (Leckel – PM10). Pollen and spores samples on tapes are then identified and counted under microscope, while filters are analysed for chemical composition for aerosols to identify sources of black and green pollution.
Figure 1 – Pollens pictures from 1 to 4:
Cupressaceae Taxaceae, Olea, Poacea, Pinus
Figure 3 – CAO’s volumetric spores and pollens sampler
Figure 2 – Fungal spores pictures:
On the left: Ascospores contained in an ascus
On the right: Cladosporium
Figure 4 – CAO’s sequential samplers (Leckel)