The Project is based on ten different Actions, divided into three Preliminary Actions (PRE1, PRE2, PRE3), three Implementation Actions (IMP1, IMP2, IMP3) plus Actions for the Project Management and Monitoring (PMM), Communication and Dissemination activities (COD), Networking (NTW) and the After-LIFE Communication (AFT).
| Action Number |
Action Code |
Action Title |
| 1 | PMM | Project Management and Monitoring |
| 2 | COD | Communication and Dissemination |
| 3 | PRE1 | BASELINE Methodology Preparation |
| 4 | PRE2 | Monitoring Site Selection & Outline of the DIAPASON-dddM |
| 5 | PRE3 | Design and Assembly of the PLC Prototypes |
| 6 | IMP1 | Implementation of the BASELINE on a Pilot scale |
| 7 | IMP2 | Development & Implementation of the DIAPASON-dddM on a Pilot Scale |
| 8 | IMP3 | DIAPASON Methodology Final Operational test |
| 9 | NTW | Networking |
| 10 | AFT | After-LIFE Communication Plan |
The DIAPASON system will build on the EC 2010 Guidelines, specifically on the desert dust detection Methodology proposed therein (here referred to as BASELINE-dddM). This methodology will be fully implemented within DIAPASON by the Action 3 (PRE1) and Action 6 (IMP1). Concomitant with the BASELINE Methodology, the DIAPASON-dddM will implement, by Action 4 (PRE2), and Action 7(IMP2), new atmospheric observations to demonstrate the occurrence and evaluate the contribution of desert dust advections to PM levels.
On these premises, the DIAPASON desert dust detection Methodology will be based on the synergy between advanced atmospheric observations, satellite maps, and model forecasts, and, as pilot scale, will be implemented in the wide metropolitan area of Rome (Italy). In particular, atmospheric observations will be performed at three sites representative of conditions including regional and urban background (Action 4 (PRE2), Action 6 (IMP1), and Action 7 (IMP2)). The observations will couple routine air-quality monitoring with advanced techniques as optical particle counters (OPC) and the PLCs specifically developed by the DIAPASON industrial partner in Action 5 (PRE3). In order to allow future acquisition and use of such industrial devices by interested European monitoring agencies, these instruments will be robust, compact, easy-to-use and affordable. Action 7 (IMP 2) will also wrap-up all the Project outputs to evaluate the information content of each parameter employed in the data analysis so to minimize their number and generate an optimized system for the detection and evaluation of Saharan advection effects, the DIAPASON–dddM.
An operational test of the DIAPASON System will be finally performed in Action 8 (IMP3) by the local environmental monitoring agency, ARPA Lazio, which is Associated Beneficiary to the Project.
Actions concerning Project Management (Action 1 or PMM) and Dissemination (Action 2 or COD which includes Networking) also play a very important role within DIAPASON. Through a Project Office, the PMM Action will provide the instruments for coordinating, managing, monitoring and evaluating the whole Project. A Steering Committee will exert the Scientific and Technical coordination of the Project. Moreover, a Stakeholder Advisory Board will provide guidance, targeting Project results to stakeholders’ requirements. The COD Action will communicate Project results to interested end-users and local communities in order to make them sustainable and raise public awareness. Networking activities (Action 9) will be devoted to create a network of similar projects and relevant stakeholders, in order to let the knowledge be exchanged among them. In this respect, a wide stakeholder community in Italy and Germany has already manifested interest in the Project. This indicates DIAPASON may represent an important contribution to research and initiatives in the wider area of health and environmental monitoring.
Scheme of the DIAPASON Actions and main links between them