Alice Grgicak-Mannion collects leaves.Alice Grgicak-Mannion collects leaves for chemical analysis to determine the presence of traffic and industrial pollutants.

Researcher to discuss use of tree leaves to monitor air pollution

Although air pollution is strongly correlated with medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes, deploying devices to monitor their presence can be costly and time-consuming.

A UWindsor researcher will discuss her investigations into using tree leaves to track heavy metal pollution in a free public presentation Wednesday at Canada South Science City.

Alice Grgicak-Mannion, geospatial learning specialist in the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, employs littleleaf linden and Norway maple leaves as effective air quality monitors. By collecting leaves and subjecting them to chemical analysis, she can determine which heavy metal particles are found in different Windsor neighbourhoods.

Her June 18 lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Canada South Science City, 930 Marion Avenue, as part of the Science Café series. Sponsored by the Faculty of Science, the series offers discussion of important science research for the general public.