Presentation
The 4-yr AERODUST project funded by ANR consists in a technological instrument development based on upgrading the Aerōtape particle sampler with automated real-time image recognition (patent F26300668PC00), initially designed for fungal spore and pollen monitoring, for a new application focused on desert dust particles.
The objective is to develop and optimise a mid-cost, early warning technology of high Technology Readiness Level (TRL), in order to: (i) advance the level of our scientific understanding related to atmospheric dust; (ii) provide real-time measurements of size segregated PM10; and (iii) propose a new technology to better comply with Air Quality directives regarding the insoluble material present in the air.
The methodology includes the optimisation of the Aerōtape microscopy technique for mineral dust particles classification, its adaptation to harsh operation conditions, the development of an IA-based image processing for particle classification optimised for mineral dust, the acquisition of reference data for particle classification based on chamber experiments, the acquisition of in situ time series in various dusty environments of the Mediterranean and Caribbean regions with both the Aerotape prototype instrument and reference instruments allowing for apportioning the PM10 particles, and the setup of a data centre and early warning system.
The CAE team in AERODUST
LSCE is in charge of environmental observations, including monitoring activities and intensive field campaigns in the Mediterranean and Caribbean atmospheric environments under desert dust influence. The protoype instrument will be deployed together with concurrent gravimetric and chemical measurements of PM10 for mass closure for providing intercomparison and reference data.
Partnership
The project is coordinated by Adrien Raynaud from Oberon Sciences company, a R&D scientist in aerosol physics instrumentation.
In addition to the LSCE/CAE Team, AERODUST involves teams from :
- Oberon Science, in charge of project coordination, prototype instrument development including new microscopy techniques for particle classification, data centre and early warning system;
- GIPSA-Lab, in charge of IA-based particle classification and methodology;
- INERIS-LCSQA, more specifically in charge of chamber experiments to provide reference particles for optical analysis, and of long-range transport simulations;
- The Cyprus Institute (Nicosia, Cyprus), as associated partner, will contribute to the experimental effort.
AERODUST contact at LSCE: Roland Sarda-Estève