Removal of airborne particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in three protected areas and two historic parks in the city of Rome during the lockdown period (March-April 2020)

Airborne particulate matter (PM) has been widely demonstrated to play a role in the increase in mortality linked to cardio-respiratory diseases, in the reduction of immune system defense mechanisms, and in the transmission of pathogens. Equally accepted is the role that trees play in fine particulate matter absorption in urban areas. This study examined the capacity of particulate reduction in three protected areas in Rome within the park and nature reserve system managed by the regional organization “RomaNatura” (Riserva Naturale della Marcigliana, Riserva Naturale della Valle dell’Aniene and Parco Regionale Urbano di Aguzzano) and two historic Roman parks (Villa Ada and Villa Borghese). The study was held in March and April 2020 during the COVID 19 lockdown period. Due to the impossibility of physically gathering data and recording measurements in the field in order to define the biophysical characteristics of the areas under study, remote sensing techniques were utilized. Although such techniques may be influenced by a degree of uncertainty in the absence of calibration procedures based on in-field inspection and verification, they still constitute a preliminary phase for further investigation, especially for studying difficult-to-access areas or for project research with limited resources. The average quantities of fine and ultrafine particulate matter captured during the two-month period were 4.330.22 ± 1.429.54 Kg di PM10 and 373.33 ± 124.01 Kg di PM2.5. This data is not directly comparable to the results of similar studies conducted in much larger areas over longer periods of time. It nevertheless shows that remote sensing techniques based on free access databases and open source software can be employed by a community of motivated citizens with basic technical and scientific knowledge; it can also be a powerful means of awareness-building and involvement in the conservation of urban forests..

Medienart:	E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:	2020
Erschienen:	2020

Enthalten in:	Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:17
Enthalten in:	Forest - 17(2020), 1, Seite 78-87

Sprache:	Italienisch

Beteiligte Personen:	Petrella S [VerfasserIn]

Links:	doi.org [kostenfrei] doaj.org [kostenfrei] www.sisef.it [kostenfrei] Journal toc [kostenfrei]

Themen:	Forestry PM10 PM2.5 Particulate Matter Reflectance Remote Sensing Urban Forests

doi:	10.3832/efor3577-017

funding:
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PPN (Katalog-ID):	DOAJ005773199