Local project · Air quality
Vigilantes del Cierzo
Zaragoza residents used strawberry plants on their balconies to measure air pollution
About the project
Vigilantes del Cierzo assessed air quality in Zaragoza using a strawberry plant as a bioindicator, placed on each participant’s balcony or windowsill.
The leaves, in direct contact with the air, act as monitoring stations: over time they build up suspended particles. The project focused on heavy metals, magnetisable particles that come mainly from burning fossil fuels, brake wear and the friction of train and tram wheels on the rails.
Participants collected a pot with their plant, looked after it for a few months and then posted some leaves, together with a short questionnaire, in a prepaid envelope. In the laboratory, the leaves were analysed using biomagnetic techniques.
The project extended to Zaragoza the AirBezen study carried out by the University of Antwerp in that city in 2014, with the support of its lead researcher, Professor Roeland Samson. Part of the research was carried out within the European COST Action ‘Citizen Science to promote creativity, scientific literacy, and innovation throughout Europe’ and the European Citizen Science Association.
Project objectives
- Learn more about the presence of airborne heavy metals in Zaragoza.
- Analyse pollutant concentrations by street and neighbourhood and produce a map of traffic-related pollution.
- Involve the public in monitoring the quality of the air they breathe.
- Tell each participant the result of their sample and share the scientific results openly.
The role of Ibercivis
Ibercivis led the project together with Zaragoza City Council through Zaragoza Activa. It ran the project website, handed out the plants and kits, received the samples and handled communication with participants and the media.
Our activities
- Launch and first handout of plant pots on 20 December 2016 at Zaragoza Activa (La Azucarera); pots could also be collected from the Hortals premises in the Parque del Agua.
- Kits with a pot, instructions and a prepaid recorded-delivery envelope for posting the leaves.
- Sample collection in spring and summer 2017, and a phase II launched in March 2017 at Zaragoza Activa.
- Further plant handouts in April and June 2019, with sample collection in summer and September 2019.
- Participation in the Zaragoza Activa Urban Ecology working group and in public talks, such as the one at CDAMAZ in February 2017.
- Coverage in media such as Heraldo de Aragón, Aragón TV, El Mundo, El Español, National Geographic and PlayGround.
Project details
Type of project
Local
Duration
2016 – 2019
Consortium
Fundación Ibercivis and Zaragoza City Council (Zaragoza Activa), in collaboration with Hortals, the Aula Dei Science and Technology Park Foundation, the Ciencia Viva programme and BIFI (University of Zaragoza)
Area
Air quality