Breathing new data into air pollution research

Members of the Atmospheric Monitoring and Research Group, within the Department of Geosciences, attended the 31st International Conference on Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Air Pollution, held in Bristol, United Kingdom, between 8 and 10 June 2026.

The University of Malta delegation included Prof. Alfred Micallef, coordinator of the research group, together with Prof. Adam Gauci, Rebecca Caruana and Marvic Grima.

During the conference, the group presented three papers in different sessions, showcasing research prepared by members of the group. Prof. Emmanuel Sinagra also contributed to the writing of the research presented, further strengthening the interdisciplinary nature of the work.

The presented papers addressed a range of complementary topics, including the development of scalable Internet of Things systems for distributed air quality monitoring and data management, the implementation of low-cost sensor networks for the Maltese Archipelago, and the importance of understanding how urban air pollutants vary vertically within the atmosphere. Together, these studies highlighted the efforts of the group to improve the spatial coverage, accessibility and interpretation of air quality data, while also supporting better exposure assessment, model validation and environmental decision-making.

The conference provided an important opportunity for the Atmospheric Monitoring and Research Group to meet and exchange ideas with international experts working on air pollution, monitoring technologies, modelling approaches and policy-related applications. These discussions will support the ongoing efforts to strengthen atmospheric monitoring research in Malta and to develop further collaborations in both research and teaching.