Air quality inside, above and around Barcelona

Urban atmospheric pollution is an important scientific and environmental issue nowadays, for a number of reasons, ranging from the health problems it causes and its influence on the climate (as well as on other factors) to the difficulty of improving air quality with respect to certain pollutants such as suspended particles and ozone. Based on measurements taken using tethered balloons and highly modern instruments, in this lecture the speaker will present the findings regarding the distribution and origin of contaminants both within and above the city of Barcelona, and looking north towards Osona, to where the atmospheric circulation of the area tends to transport the city’s pollution plume at certain times of day in summer. Finally, the lecturer will list a few guidelines on how to improve the air we breathe.

Cycle: SCIENCE ON MONDAY: The Chemistry of our life

Organized by: The Residence for Researchers, CSIC-Delegación en Cataluña, Instituto de Diagnóstico Ambiental y Estudios del Agua (IDAEA)