CiROCCO

CiROCCO is a Horizon Europe project aiming to enhance in-situ environmental observations across under-sampled desert and dust-affected regions. The project develops, deploys and validates cost-effective environmental monitoring infrastructure, combining low-cost sensor nodes, higher-quality monitoring systems, Earth Observation data, operational dust forecasting models and advanced data management tools. Its main objective is to improve the spatial and temporal availability of environmental observations in areas where monitoring infrastructure is limited, supporting better understanding, forecasting and management of Desert Dust Storm events and related air-quality impacts.

In Cyprus, UCY leads the pilot activity on Desert Dust Storm Events Monitoring. The pilot is implemented in the Municipality of South Nicosia–Idalion, an area affected by both desert dust intrusions and anthropogenic air-quality pressures. The Cyprus pilot deploys a network of low-cost sensor nodes and reference-support monitoring infrastructure to monitor particulate matter, meteorological conditions and dust-related episodes. The collected data support model evaluation, early warning system development, public-facing air-quality intelligence tools and replication planning in additional municipalities. CiROCCO contributes to improved environmental monitoring, public health protection, climate resilience and evidence-based decision-making.