Desert-dust Impact on Air quality through model-Predictions and Advanced Sensors ObservatioNs
DIAPASON is an Environment Policy & Governance project selected in 2010.
It is a project funded by the European Commission, within the framework of the LIFE Environment programme.
DIAPASON wants to demonstrate the benefit of innovative technologies at assessing the effects of Saharan dust advections on European particulate matter levels (PM10 and PM2.5). Currently, Saharan dust events (whose contribution can be subtracted from PM exceedances) are indirectly ascertained on the basis of model forecasts and satellite observations. To “certify” the presence of Saharan dust plumes, DIAPASON will introduce measurements from innovative systems, partly developed within the project (Polarization Lidar-Ceilometers (PLC), and Optical particle counters (OPC). PLCs will also allow detection of wild-fire and volcanic plumes.
The Project will be implemented in the Rome metropolitan area (Italy).
LIFE+ 2010 ENV/IT/391
Duration of the project: 30/09/2011 to 30/08/2015
Total budget of the project: 1.893.498 €
European Commission contribution: 893.799 €
Beneficiaries Contribution: 999.699 €