Go to content
Citizen Science

Objectives

EcorçAir proposes the construction of annual maps of fine particle pollution by measuring the magnetic susceptibility of particles deposited on the bark of plane trees in cities.
EcorçAir is an observatory of PartiCitaE.

Specific actions

City residents are invited to collect plane tree bark in the city between mid-February and mid-April and send their samples for analysis to the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris.
They will then be notified of the fine particle levels measured on their samples.

Project created
All over France

Type of project : Field

Participation period : Between mid-February and mid-April

Level of involvement : Once a year

Contact

Project description

EcorçAir offers city dwellers the opportunity to participate in the construction of a fine particle pollution map in their city, village or neighbourhood.

This project follows on from a study already carried out in Paris by the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Sorbonne University and the Ecole des Mines.

The magnetic properties of fine metallic particles are used to measure the quantities deposited on the trunks of Platanes.

Citizens are invited to take samples of plane tree bark between mid-February and mid-March, the period when these trees renew their bark. This makes it easier to collect the bark and to see the accumulation of particles over a year.

To participate, turn a freezer bag inside out and use it like a glove to take several samples of plane tree bark between 1.30 and 1.70m high. Fill in the field sheet and put it in the bag. Repeat with as many plane trees as you like and send your samples to the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (indicating the project « EcorçAir ») where they will be analysed.

Feedback will be given to each participant on the measurements made on these samples, and pollution maps will be produced and available online.

The participation

Training required

No previous training required

Required equipment

Ziploc-type freezer bag
Printable field sheet
A pencil
A GPS or a smartphone
(possibly a tape measure)

Co-managers

Claire Carvallo

Claire Carvallo

Enseignante-Chercheuse

Sorbonne University

Sorbonne Université / IMPMC

Claire Carvallo

Sorbonne Université / IMPMC

Christine Franke

Christine Franke

Enseignante-Chercheure

Mines ParisTech/Géosciences

Christine Franke

Aude Isambert

Aude Isambert

Enseignante-Chercheuse

Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris

Aude Isambert

Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris

Laure TURCATI

Laure TURCATI

Ingénieure de recherche - Coordinatrice du programme PartiCitaE

Sorbonne University

Observatoires des sciences de l’Univers Ecce Terra

Partners