Characteristics of current roadside pollution under different environmental conditions fundamentals for the development of a new roadside pollution monitoring concept

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Erwin Appel
• Subject Area: Geophysics
• Term: from 2010 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 166043401

The amount and type of pollutants along roadsides change due to the use of new materials and techniques for cars and fuel additives. In the past polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr) have been accumulated near roads. Since withdrawal of leaded petrol the importance of Pb decreased, whereas due to catalytic converters platinum group elements now play an increased role. Soil samples reveal the accumulated amount of pollutants. In this project we intend to assess the present characteristics of roadside pollution. It is suggested to prepare experimental monitoring plots located close to arteries with high traffic density and observe accumulation over two to three years. A 15 cm layer of top soil will be removed and replaced by clean quartz sand thus excluding natural background and historical contributions. Verification of the origin of pollutant particles will be carried out on the basis of their characteristic morphology, magnetic and chemical properties. Together with pollutants iron phases are emitted and deposited on the ground, also having adsorption capacity for heavy metals. This allows us to use magnetic proxy methods for fast and efficient assessment of the spatial extent and qualitative degree of contamination. Climatic and socio-economical factors can influence the characteristics of roadside pollution. Therefore monitoring plots will be established in different climatic conditions. Formulation of guidelines for monitoring purposes will be a further practical aim of the study. The work will be done as a German-Polish collaboration project including partners from several other countries.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Poland
• Participating Person: Dr. Tadeusz Magiera