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💨 Air Quality & Atmospheric Pollution

Characterisation and modelling of atmospheric pollutants in urban environments, with a focus on emerging pollutants such as ultrafine particles (UFP) and biogenic secondary organic aerosols.

LCE (AMU)CERI EE (IMT Nord Europe)CEREA (ENPC)

Scientific context

In 2021, 97% of the urban European population was exposed to PM concentrations above WHO guidelines, causing 290,000 premature deaths per year in Europe and 47,000 in France. RESILIENCE deepens understanding of pollutant sources, transformation and health impact in Marseille and Lille.

Twin-site approach

Two streets of similar morphology are compared: one with cycle lanes and vegetation, the other with typical traffic. This comparison quantifies the impact of urban interventions on street-level air quality.

Vegetation and air quality

Plants emit biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) that can form ozone and secondary organic aerosols. In Marseille, BSOA contribution to organic aerosols in summer is estimated at 60%; in Lille, at 34%. RESILIENCE evaluates whether these fractions come from local or regional sources.

  1. Measure regulated (O₃, NO₂, PM₁₀, PM₂.₅) and emerging pollutants (UFP, black carbon)
  2. Assess the impact of urban vegetation on secondary pollutant formation
  3. Model pollutant dispersion at high resolution (≤100 m) with CHIMERE/MUNICH
  4. Estimate individual exposure according to travel mode
  5. Update emission inventories

Multi-scale modelling

The CHIMERE/MUNICH/SSH-aerosol chain simulates pollutant concentrations from European scale (3×3 km²) down to street level (≈100 m), integrating vegetation impacts and chemical transformations.

Long-term observatories

Continuous data at Marseille-Longchamp (LCE) and ATOLL Lille (CERI EE), both integrated in the European ACTRIS infrastructure. Measurements of aerosol chemical composition, UFP and meteorological parameters.

Mobile laboratories

Mobile laboratories and micro-sensors are deployed by AtmoSud and Atmo Hauts-de-France networks at twin sites in each city.

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≥ 15 modelled pollutant maps (100 m resolution)

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Data availability > 75%

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AQ tool shared with AtmoSud and Atmo HdF

Other themes :

🌡️ Urban Heat 🌿 Biodiversity 🚲 Sustainable Mobility 🏥 Health & Inequalities 👥 Social Sciences