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Description
The main ambition and reason for the project is to involve the young generation, a select group of high school students, in air quality issues. Air pollution by aerosol particles is a society-wide problem affecting the health of people of all generations. The way households heat their homes is subject to generational stereotypes, with the younger generation often picking up bad habits from their parents and grandparents. Experimental medium-term measurements, generating online data accessible to students during the winter months, will help to activate students'' interest in this issue. A selected group of third-year students attending seminars in physics, chemistry or geography in cooperation with the project''s expert guarantor (applicant) will use data analysis to explore the issue of air pollution, especially the issue of heating in local heating systems, and then communicate proposals for solutions to this problem within the family, school, community.
Together with the representatives of the South Moravian Region, 3 high schools were selected - Znojmo, Židlochovice and Vyškov. The selected settlements thus form an imaginary SW-SE axis of the South Moravian Region. In addition to the selected schools, measurements will also be carried out at other locations in the intramural areas of these towns, so the results will be interesting for all residents of Znojmo, Vyškov and Židlochovice.
Summary of project results
The project "Educational measurement of air quality with emphasis on the influence of local heating in the South Moravian Region" was crucial for improving air quality in the region. Local heating plants are a significant source of pollution, negatively affecting the health of residents and the environment. Our aim was to map the impact of local heating plants on air quality in the cities of Znojmo, Židlochovice, and Vyškov, and through education, increase awareness of this issue among students of local high schools. Under the guidance of experts from CHMI (Czech Hydrometeorological Institute), students analyzed data and proposed measures to improve air quality, which they presented to local government representatives. This approach not only provided valuable data but also strengthened environmental awareness and involved the younger generation in solving environmental issues.
The project included several key activities. In cooperation with the South Moravian Region, we organised an introductory workshop for teachers and initial seminars for students to gain the necessary knowledge about air quality and measurement methods. In each of the selected cities, we installed sensor units to measure aerosol particles PM10, PM2.5 and PM1, as well as meteorological parameters. The students were actively involved in air quality monitoring and data analysis, which provided them with hands-on experience and enhanced their environmental awareness. The monitoring data was displayed online on the publicly available SmartENVI web portal. In this way, the project contributed to greater public involvement in air pollution issues and provided important information for designing measures to improve air quality.
The trend of daily PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations shows the influence of local heating in the monitored locations. At the vast majority of sites, a gradual increase was evident from late afternoon to evening hours, which is typical for sites with a stronger heating influence. Overall, concentrations were highest in Židlochovice and lowest in Znojmo. This ranking correlates exactly with the size of these towns. Židlochovice, the smallest of the comparison towns, is the most similar to the smaller towns and probably has a higher proportion of households heated by older solid fuel boilers. On the other hand, Znojmo, as the largest of the cities compared, had the lowest concentrations on average. In all locations there was a clear correlation between air temperature and PM concentrations. In general, the lower the air temperature, the higher the concentrations. The second week of January was the coldest day of the assessment period across the Czech Republic. In all the locations monitored, there was an increase and elevated concentrations of PM in the air during this period. The measurements further confirmed the usefulness of the sensory measurements for an indicative assessment of pollution levels at a specific location. However, this measurement has its own specificities, which include, for example, the need for comparative measurements with a reference instrument and possible adjustment of the measurement coefficient, constant monitoring of the measured concentration trends (some sensors may measure quite differently and need to be replaced), and last but not least, there may be situations that the sensory measurement cannot detect. Concentration rosettes that have been constructed for sites where meteorological parameters have also been monitored show a local effect (pollution at low wind speeds) but also higher concentrations at higher wind speeds, especially in southeasterly flow, which is probably related to long-distance transport. Pollution in the study sites is not only influenced by local sources but also by more or less distant sources. The measured data confirm the influence of local heating sites and solid fuel combustion on air quality. Nationwide, the most problematic pollutants (PM and PAHs) are now almost the exclusive or dominant source of emissions. It is these sources that need to be targeted for further monitoring and, in particular, for the adoption of measures to improve air quality and represent the most effective measures in terms of cost/performance.
The project "Educational measurement of air quality with emphasis on the influence of local heating in the South Moravian Region" was successful in several respects. Similar local measurements focusing on three South Moravian cities and the impact of local heating plants on their air quality have never been carried out on such a large scale in the past. The data obtained can be subjected to further research with a view to improving air quality in the cities and their surroundings. By involving the students in the project, it has been possible to raise their awareness of the importance of environmental protection and strengthen their ability to analyse and interpret data. Although only a small sample of students was involved, the project received considerable media coverage and is believed to have awakened discussion about the public health risks of increased concentrations of air pollutants during the heating season. The project showed us that there is an interest in conservation issues among the younger generation and proved to be a good way to engage this group in the debate and increase their participation in improving air quality. After the project, we hope that the students will communicate the conclusions of their observations to local government representatives and contribute to future remedial measures.