Netherlands: a German Zeppelin Has Taken to the Skies Above the Veluwe Region Near the Dutch-german Border to Measure Air Pollution

The airship, which took off from Essen in North Rhine-Westphalia, is being used to study air quality in an area spanning Arnhem and Utrecht on both sides of the border. Scientists from Wageningen University & Research, working with German colleagues, have equipped the balloon with instruments to measure CO2 levels, emissions, and fine particles. "The substances are partly produced by the forest and partly by traffic and industry, researcher Michiel van der Molen told NOS.

"Exactly how that works and how quickly it spreads is interesting, but mostly unknown. The zeppelin is scheduled to pass over the area several times over the next week at around 300 metres above ground level. Its path can be tracked on Flightradar24 under the code DLZFN.

Residents have been surprised by the sight of the hovering airship. The operation is a joint effort between Dutch and German researchers to better understand pollution sources and dispersion.