An innovative instrument for real-time and high frequency monitoring of mineral dust contribution to PM10 – AERODUST

Mineral particles predominate in atmospheric aerosol, and drought episodes due to climate change significantly increase dust emissions or resuspension, with negative consequences for air quality.

The WHO's target thresholds for air quality, and specifically for fine particulate matter, are leading environmental policies such as that of the European Union to set ever-lower limit values for PM10, requiring monitoring networks to be able to account for the contribution of different sources of particulate matter, particularly natural sources of dust and resuspended particles.

The methods currently in use are based on complex and costly chemical analyses, backed up in the case of natural sources by large-scale numerical particle transport simulations fraught with uncertainty.
In this context, the AERODUST project is a response to the need for a specific measurement of mineral particles that is both reliable and easy to operate. Its aim is to develop a breakthrough imaging-based technology for on-board, real-time, high-frequency measurements of atmospheric aerosol characterization.

An existing instrument, Aerotape, can already observe the different types of particles collected, but their automatic recognition requires the implementation of new optical microscopy and artificial intelligence techniques. This unprecedented classification will enable us to distinguish particles resulting from local resuspension from those transported over greater distances. An artificial intelligence module will be implemented and validated during several field intercomparison campaigns.

Once validated, the new version will be used to demonstrate a continuous, operational characterization system, in the urban environment of Paris for resuspension particles, in Martinique at sites affected by Saharan particles, and in Cairo, where both types of source are found. This characterization will serve as an early warning system or a daily assessment for the benefit of those involved in prevention and emission control.