Evaluation of motorway pollution in a mountain ecosystem. Pilot project: Susa Valley (Northwest Italy) years 1990-1994

The construction of the new A32 motorway, which connects the city of Torino to France through the Frejus mountain tunnel, has given us the opportunity to implement a research programme, over a number of years, with the goal of evaluating air dispersion and ground absorption of pollutants emitted by motor-vehicles in the countryside along the Susa Valley motorway. The research programme started with an in-depth study of the Susa Valley environment (including the levels of air pollution measured at the starting date of the programme) followed by the implementation of a simulation model of pollutant dispersion. Then a pilot area was prepared where selected species of plants, lichens, isopods and anellids were transplanted to monitor the motorway pollution trend. The overall testing activities, in addition to the simulation model, have enabled us to clearly define the levels and characteristics of pollution in the Susa Valley as a result of the opening of the new motorway.