[LUM#6] Citizens and scientists
A participatory science project to measure air quality: when researchers and citizens join forces, science advances... and everyone wins.
September 2015: a collective of 23 associations in favor of tram line 5 knocks on the door of the research world. This group of hundreds of citizens asks itself a question: is the air cleaner on tram tracks than on roadsides? One of its members heard about a British study on fine particles deposited on plants near roads. This is a new method of measuring air quality, still little used, but apparently reliable. The equipment used was that of Pierre Camps, from the Geosciences laboratory. Without hesitation, the associations decided to approach the researcher.
Shared knowledge
"They had to call me several times before I agreed... Air quality isn't my usual field of research ," says the rock magnetism specialist. He finally decided to give it a try. But for this unfunded study, he needed resources. So he asked around 60 citizens to collaborate directly. A prime example of participatory science was born. In January 2016, each volunteer was trained individually... And the work could begin. For six months, the volunteers collected leaves from eleagnus, holm oaks, ivy, and even laurel and oleander trees. The trees and shrubs were clearly identified for each collector, for example, near their workplace or in their garden. Samples poured into the lab, coming from an area stretching from Cournonterral to Clapiers and Montferrier, via Montpellier. The scientists then analyze the leaves. But they want to make sure that the collectors are following the protocol. So they duplicate the measurements themselves in a few areas. The verdict: the leaves have been collected flawlessly. Everyone has played along perfectly.
"We collected a thousand pieces of data in six months. We could never have done that without the volunteers. For a researcher, this kind of cooperation is ideal," says Pierre Camps. It's a great achievement, but also an opportunity to share knowledge. "We researchers are coming out of our shells. It's very rewarding. I've learned a lot from discussions with volunteers, who are very knowledgeable and cultured, for example about fine particles or botany. There is a lot of knowledge in society, and researchers have a personal interest in shared knowledge."
Constructive responses
What were the results of the study? There are not necessarily fewer fine particles near the tram (La Marseillaise, 2016). This is the opposite of what citizens imagined! The reason is undoubtedly the abrasion of the tram's wheels, brakes, and rails. "A tram wheel loses 10% of its size over its lifetime. The wheel literally turns to dust, which we then breathe in," explains Patrick Nicol, volunteer coordinator. However, the citizens involved were not disappointed... Above all, they wanted constructive answers.
On the subject of air quality, participatory science continues. A project is being launched in Saint-Aunès to study the impact of the doubling of the A9 motorway and the effect of green walls. Although this type of collaboration with citizens is still very rare in earth sciences, Pierre Camps has plans. He is involved in the creation of a new "geophysics and society" group in his laboratory. To continue to enrich each other.
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