Science & Technology, UK (Commonwealth Union) – Citizen scientists are those who voluntarily engage in scientific research and data collection, often with minimal training. They collaborate with professional scientists, contributing to various research projects and environmental protection initiatives. Citizen scientists come from diverse backgrounds and age groups, united by their passion for science and the environment.
Citizen scientists have played a crucial role in gathering data on environmental issues. They have contributed valuable information on wildlife populations, water quality, air pollution levels, and climate change, which can be used to inform policy decisions and drive conservation efforts.
Citizen scientists bring diverse perspectives and ideas to the table, often leading to innovative and creative solutions to environmental challenges. Their active participation in research and problem-solving can lead to breakthroughs that might not have been discovered otherwise.
Such an example was seen during the recent pandemic, where an innovative project initiated in Aberdeen has illuminated the potential of moss as a tool for citizen scientists to gauge air pollution in urban settings globally.
Originally intending to explore how moss could measure Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in various cities, Thomas Daniya, a PhD student at the University of Aberdeen, pivoted his research due to pandemic travel constraints. Focusing on Aberdeen, he gathered moss samples from local parks and public spaces, employing them as natural samplers to quantify PAH levels, a significant air pollutant stemming from traffic emissions. The findings, exposing unexpected PAH concentrations in residential areas post-relaxation of traffic restrictions, have been published in the Frontiers in Geochemistry journal.
Mosses are simple, non-vascular plants that lack the complex structures found in other plants, such as roots, stems, and leaves. Instead, they have specialized structures called rhizoids, which help them anchor to the ground and absorb water. Mosses reproduce through spores, which are dispersed by wind or water and develop into new plants.
Mosses have been known to be highly efficient at absorbing airborne pollutants, such as particulate matter and heavy metals. By trapping these pollutants, they help improve air quality and contribute to a healthier environment for humans and other organisms.
Mosses, deriving water and nutrients from the air rather than their roots, efficiently accumulate airborne pollutants like PAH.
Utilizing moss, Thomas devised a simple yet innovative method to monitor PAH levels, eliminating the need for additional sampling devices and streamlining data collection. By examining samples during restricted travel periods, he documented PAH level fluctuations correlating with changes in transportation activity.
Beyond unveiling the impact of travel on pollution in Aberdeen, this experiment underscores the accessibility of moss for urban residents to evaluate PAH presence, empowering citizen scientists to contribute significantly to air quality monitoring worldwide.
Moreover, the results offer insights into the anticipated ramifications of implementing low emission zones in cities such as Aberdeen.
Thomas noted that with the implementation of travel restrictions, there was a notable decrease in car usage. Consequently, every fluctuation in Aberdeen’s Covid-19 restriction levels presented an unforeseen opportunity for him to investigate the correlation between cars, traffic, and PAH levels.
“One of the most intriguing findings was the variations between different localities. While I anticipated that roadside mosses would contain significant levels of PAH, the same was true of residential areas when restrictions lifted and regular travel activity resumed.
“In some of these residential areas the PAH levels in mosses went from very low to having as much PAH as mosses growing next to busy roads, which was very surprising and demonstrates just how much impact individual travel decisions can have on local air quality.”
Dr. Stephen Bowden, Thomas’s PhD supervisor, pointed out that the study of Thomas underscores the feasibility of mosses as convenient and effective indicators of urban air quality, offering valuable insights into the impact of travel restrictions on pollution levels.
“This innovative approach creates new opportunities for widespread monitoring of PAH by citizen scientists, which could lead to a deeper understanding of the connection between individual behaviours and environmental quality.
“This could be especially useful in terms of measuring the potential impact of low emission zones and other environmental initiatives in town and cities worldwide, contributing to the evidence available to policymakers responsible for improving local air quality.”
The study is likely to further highlight how moss can reflect atmospheric conditions.
