Italian National Parks Pioneer New Air Quality Index Based on Visibility
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A groundbreaking project is underway in Italy to assess the impact of air pollution on the nation’s treasured landscapes, utilizing a novel atmospheric visibility index. The initiative, dubbed “Visibility,” leverages a methodology first developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is being coordinated by the Carabinieri – Forestry, Environmental and Agri-food Unit Command (CUFAA), with analytical support from the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA).
The project aims to provide a clearer picture of how pollutants affect the visual clarity of protected areas, a critical component of their overall health and appeal. As a senior official stated, “With the ‘Visibility’ project we intend to contribute to protecting the landscape, a resource also for future generations.”
Measuring the Invisible Impact of Pollution
At the heart of the project is a network of monitoring stations strategically positioned within Italian national parks. The first station, established near the Lake of Monaci in the Circeo National Park (Latina), is equipped with advanced technology to measure key pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, sulfates, nitrates, and nitrogen dioxide. Samples are collected every three days, with 24-hour sampling periods.
Beyond pollutant measurement, each station incorporates a panoramic camera and a meteorological station, providing a comprehensive dataset for analysis. The core of the visibility assessment relies on the IMPROVE (Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environment) methodology, originally developed by the Colorado State University. This algorithm quantifies a light attenuation index, effectively measuring how pollutants diminish visual clarity.
From Circeo to the Dolomites: Expanding the Scope
Initial findings indicate a direct correlation between higher light attenuation index values and reduced long-distance visibility. According to researchers, the sources of these pollutants are diverse, ranging from human activities – such as vehicular traffic, port operations, and combustion from domestic, agricultural, and industrial sources – to natural phenomena like the transport of terrigenous material.
Notably, the most significant contributors to visibility reduction are pollutants formed through secondary reactions in the atmosphere, including ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate. These compounds are not directly emitted but arise from the interaction of other pollutants.
The monitoring network has expanded beyond the coastal environment of Circeo National Park to include the Vincheto di Celarda Nature Reserve (Feltre, Belluno), within the Belluno Dolomites National Park. This expansion allows for comparative analysis across different ecosystems. “An environmental situation…different from that of the Circeo Park, since it is a pre-Alpine wetland area,” one researcher commented, highlighting the importance of testing the methodology’s adaptability.
Part of a Broader European Initiative
The “Visibility” project is integrated into the larger EU LIFE MODERn(NEC) project, with CUFAA again serving as coordinator and ENEA as a key partner. This broader initiative is designed to meet the emission reduction targets and monitor the impact of pollution on forestry and freshwater ecosystems as outlined in the European Directive 2016/2284 NEC (National Emission Ceilings).
Data collection and chemical-physical analysis of collected samples are ongoing, with a project timeline extending from March 2021 to August 2025. The ongoing research promises to deliver a valuable tool for assessing and mitigating the impact of air pollution on Italy’s natural heritage, ensuring its preservation for generations to come.
