Determining the presence of heavy metals in the air by using GLOBE

protocols for aerosols, conductivity and pH

Students: Dino Bešić , Sarah ButiganMentors: Marina Pavlić,Irena Sabo

How did we come up with the idea?• In one of our past projects we determined that we can predict

the heavy metals pollution in the soil by using GLOBE protocols for conductivity and pH.

• Using GLOBE protocols for aerosols, conductivity and pH we can predict the heavy metal pollution in the air.

Who inspired us?

• The citizens of Bakar invited us to see the big black blot in the middle of The Bakar Bay and the black particles in their homes

• we determined that the pollution was comming from the air.• While reasrching we found new ways to use GLOBE protocols

Aerosols

• Solid or liquid particles suspended in air with diameters between about 0.002 µm to about 100 µm

• Various chemical compounds, some of them heavy metals

The amount of suspended particles in the air depends on:

• Direction and intensity of the wind• Air temperature• Moisture• Rainfall• Cloud coverage • Insolation• Stability of the troposphere

Prirodoslovna i grafička škola

Location

Bakar

16 km

Globe protocols

• Aerosols• Air temperature• Rainfall• Conductivity• pH

Data

Aerosol optical thickness

Solar noon temperatures daily at school

Average temperature in Bakar

9 10 11 120.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Average temperature in Bakar ˚C

Air moisture at school

Air moisture at Bakar

9 10 11 1268

70

72

74

76

78

80

82

84

86

88

Percentage of humidity in Bakar

Rainfall in school

9 10 11 120

50

100

150

200

250

300

Rainfall in location of PiGŠ

Rainfall in Bakar

9 10 11 120

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Rainfall in Bakar( 2015)

Conductivity and pH

September October November December

Name of location Conductivity μS/cmBakar 663 665 661 663PiGš 70,6 62,4 85,2 97,6

Measured pH Bakar 7,7 7,5 7,6 7,6PiGš 7 7 7 7

Heavy metals

Name of heavy metalPb Cd Cu Zn Fe Ni

μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L

measurments acquiered in one month

Bakar 16,15 0,406 35 77 734 14,1

PiG school 0 0 0 0 0 0

Maximum alowed concentration 1 0,005 Not

defined 0,02 Not defined 20

Conclusion

• The air in Bakar contains more suspended particles of heavy metals than our reference station( our school Prirodoslovna i grafička škola)• Comparing the conductivity and pH levels in Rijeka and Bakar with the chemical

analysis we can conclude that our hypotesis is proven and that we can use GLOBE conductivity and pH protocols to determine the presence of heavy metals in the air .• We could not prove the use the aerosol protocol but we will work further to

investigate the use of aerosol protocol too.

Special thanks for help• Citizens of Bakar• NZZJZ Rijeka• The State Meteorological institute• Our mentor• YLACES• Consulting scientists

THE END