 Indicators: air |
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Study on air quality conducted by the Iles de Lérins Scientific Council
Protocol for measures
As part of the assessment of the air quality by bio-indication, 4 Ray Grass bio-stations have been installed at the hub during the summer season (30 days of exposure from 8th August 2006 to Thursday 7th September 2006). Previously, these jars had been kept under glass for a total duration of 6 weeks for cultivation.
The bio stations were arranged as follows:
- Bio station 1: upstream from main runway (Busy main road)
- Bio station 2: downstream from main runway (Close to the sea)
- Bio station 3: upstream from minor runway (Busy road)
- Bio station 4: downstream from minor runway (Close to Cannes-Mandelieu purification plant)
In addition to these 4 bio-stations, monitors were placed under glass.
Ray Grass is well known as a plant which accumulates atmospheric pollutants on its surface or internally.
After the Ray Grass had been exposed at the sites or under glass for the monitors, the bio stations and monitors were collected and analysed.
Results:
The results obtained by this study reflect a low level of air pollution by aviation traffic.
Road traffic (particularly dense close to the runways) and atmospheric waste from the purification plant have impacted the measurement
Thus:
- Aviation pollution by PAH is not a determining factor at the level of Cannes Mandelieu Airport
- No pollution related to nitrogen has been detected
- The presence of titanium has increased but no effect on the environment has been reported. |
Pollution by PAH (Polycyclical Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
After 30 days of exposure, the 7 PAH were not found accumulated in the Ray Grass. The detection limit value being 5 micrograms/Kg, the results obtained presenting lower values for the monitors and the bio-stations exposed to air traffic.
Specific pollution: Nitrogen, Titanium
The percentage of nitrogen is much more significant in the monitors than in the bio-stations. This result is explained by the optimum development conditions for plants in the greenhouses.
An increased level of titanium was shown in the bio stations upstream and downstream of runway 17/35. Titanium is slightly toxic. Only excessive exposure can cause slight changes in human lungs
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