Exciting developments in the NT this year, with pollen collection begun at CDU in Darwin and air quality information available in Alice Springs:
Darwin pollen research
AirRater team member Dr Sharon Campbell recently visited our Darwin pollen collection site at Charles Darwin University. This site has been up and running since April 2021, and we now have a full year of pollen data. Analysis of that data is underway in our Hobart lab, and we hope to have more news to share on this work shortly.
The Darwin pollen monitor enjoys a 360° view of Darwin and surrounds, taking in the bushland surrounding the city. The monitor endures very high heat and humidity, and regular thunderstorm events in the wet season. There is a protocol in place to remove the monitor and bring it indoors in the event of a cyclone warning. Thanks to Adam and Lindsay for their help in setting up and maintaining the monitor in such harsh conditions!
AirRater arrives in Alice Springs
Thanks to the Air in Alice citizen science project, AirRater will soon be able to offer more environmental data for Alice Springs. Two fixed site monitors have been installed and Alice Springs residents who volunteer for the project will wear key ring sized sensors to capture temperature and air quality information to help plan strategies for environmental health.
