The CityDust project is a joint Croatian-Slovenian Weave research project, in which the HRZZ acts as the lead agency. The project is leaded by the Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB), while the Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZS) is the leading partner on the Slovenian side. On the Croatian side, in addition to IRB, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering are also involved in the project, while on the Slovenian side the National Institute of Biology participates.

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Air pollution is one of the major global environmental and public health challenges of our time. International organisations continuously develop new policies and strategies to mitigate its impact and improve air quality. One of the most critical air pollutants is particulate matter (PM). In urban areas, PM concentrations often exceed safe levels due to the combined effects of anthropogenic activities, natural processes, and climate factors. Among the most concerning and least studied components of airborne PM are nanoparticles and microplastics. 

This project aims to investigate the composition and dynamics of inorganic PM, nanoparticles, and microplastics in urban areas under varying anthropogenic pressures (urban, industrial, and tourism) and different weather conditions (summer and winter). The study will sample and analyse airborne PM, PM deposited on vegetation, and road dust. In addition, the influence of precipitation on the transfer of particulates will be investigated by sampling rain, snow, and stormwater. Quantitative and qualitative microbiological analysis of airborne PM will provide information on the potential role of PM in the spread of pathogens and/or allergens. The research methodology will be based on electron microscopy techniques (SEM-EDS, TEM), Raman spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma and a single particle mode (sp ICP-QQQ). 

The results will provide new insights into the origin, transfer, and cycling of inorganic PM, nanoparticles, and microplastics in urban areas; the role of precipitation in their transformation and transport; and their potential release into the environment through stormwater overflows – an issue exacerbated by climate change. The knowledge gained will support improved management strategies to reduce airborne PM concentrations and mitigate its impact on the environment. A groundbreaking aspect of this research is the simultaneous investigation of interactions between various types of PM and their interactions with microbial communities within and across different environmental media. Another major scientific impact of this project will be the development and improvement of methodologies for sampling, extraction, and analysis of nanoparticles and microplastics across different environmental media.

Work packages:

• Work package 1 (WP1): Sampling

• Work package 2 (WP2): Characterization of inorganic PM and NPs in different media

• Work package 3 (WP3): Sampling and characterization of microplastics in different media

• Work package 4 (WP4): Sampling and characterization of precipitation

• Work package 5 (WP5): Characterization of microbial community

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