Scientific spotlight on air pollution

RESEARCH: At Whakarewarewa Thermal Village this week were (from left) David Cohen, Blair Millar, Andreas Markwitz, Karen Hayes and James Warbrick.PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Ground-breaking scientific work into air pollution has been discussed at Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Thermal Village that could influence climate change studies and direct government legislation around the world.

Over the past week the village hosted 25 scientists from 14 Asia-Pacific countries who pooled their resources in terms of air pollution science at a meeting organised under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The scientists have been analysing data on fine particle air pollution in their countries for the past 10 years and got together to compare results and set up a massive database of information to share with other scientists around the world.

IAEA programme lead country co-ordinator and New Zealand national project counterpart Andreas Markwitz, from GNS Science, said the scientists harmonised sampling fine particulate matter across the Asia-Pacific region meaning the results from the 14 countries were now comparable and compatible.

"We have created a world first fine particulate database for Australasia. It's very important as it's now available worldwide for any researcher and could be used for the modelling of climate change. The meeting was so successful due to our excellent hosts at Whakarewarewa - the whole cultural heritage aspect has highlighted the importance of air pollution science and cultural research bringing them together."

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation senior principal research scientist Professor David Cohen said studies like this did not usually last as long as the 10 years this study had and it would continue for another three years at least.

"This study is unique. All countries have been sampling on the same days of the week for more than 10 years now from plus 50 degrees latitude to minus 50 degrees - top to bottom. Any fine particulates coming from Europe we pick up in weeks and we have collected around 14,000 sampling days in our database," he said.

Whakarewarewa Village Charitable Trust chairman James Warbrick said the village had enjoyed sharing in the scientific journey of discovery.

"It started with GNS and their geothermal work studying what's happening underneath us and has now grown and we participate in this project above the ground. It's all about the sustainability of our people and knowing what faces them in the future. We can share this knowledge with schools and maybe inspire our young people to get into science and education," he said.

Village chief executive Blair Millar said 12 months of air sampling had been done in the village and they hoped to run classes early next year to show everyone what the results were. "The more people know the better. The regional council had a representative here as well and are saying it's hugely important for the region."