The University of Nova Gorica and the Federal Hydro-Meteorological Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a cooperation agreement
Today the rector of the University of Nova Gorica, Prof. Dr. Boštjan Golob and the director of the Federal Hydro-Meteorological Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Almir Bijedić, signed a cooperation agreement on the SAAERO project.
The SAAERO project (SArajevo AEROsol Experiment: Composition, Sources and Health Effects of Atmospheric Aerosol, EU H2020 MSCA IF grant #101028909) is carried out by University of Nova Gorica with strong support and in cooperation with Federal Hydro-Meteorological Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Particulate matter (PM), suspended in the atmosphere have a well documented detrimental effects on air quality, human health and ecosystems. Every winter, the Western Balkan (WB) region is experiencing some of the poorest European and global air quality, due to the extensive use of solid fuels for domestic heating and an old vehicle fleet.
Within the SAAERO project we are setting up a systematic extended measurements of fine aerosol in the city of Sarajevo, to deliver detailed aerosol physico-chemical characterization and quantify their effects. During winter 2022-2023, measurements will be performed with high time resolution, with daily filter samples collected for off-line laboratory analyses. An intensive field campaign in January 2023 will add to these efforts.
A sophisticated source apportionment methodology will be used to deduce PM emission sources. We will link source contributions to air pollution to oxidative potential to assign health effects to specific sources.
The SAAERO project aims for a strong and lasting impact in understanding and resolving current air pollution and health crises in the entire WB region, establishing a solid baseline for the abatement intervention.
The project SAAERO builds on past cooperation within SAFICA and COST COLOSSAL projects.