Air Pollution in Seaports

Air Pollution in Seaports: Sources and Impacts

• Seaports significantly contribute to air pollution through various activities, including shipping, cargo handling, and land transportation.

Major Air Pollutants in Seaports

• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx):
  • Sources: Primarily from diesel engines in ships, trucks, and port machinery.
  • Impacts: Contributes to ground-level ozone formation and respiratory illnesses.
• Sulfur Oxides (SOx):
  • Sources: Primarily from burning heavy fuel oil in ships.
  • Impacts: Causes acid rain and respiratory problems, harming human health and the environment.
• Particulate Matter (PM):
  • Types: PM10 and PM2.5 (fine particles).
  • Sources: Diesel exhaust, cargo handling, and resuspended dust.
  • Impacts: Linked to cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and premature death.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):
  • Sources: Fuel handling, loading/unloading, and certain port chemicals.
  • Impacts: Contribute to ground-level ozone formation and various health problems (headaches, respiratory issues).
• Carbon Monoxide (CO):
  • Sources: Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels in port vehicles and machinery.
  • Impacts: Impairs oxygen transport, posing health risks particularly to vulnerable populations.
• Black Carbon (BC):
  • Sources: Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, mostly from ships.
  • Impacts: Contributes to climate change by absorbing sunlight and affects human health like other particulate pollutants.
• Ozone (O3):
  • Sources: Formed through photochemical reactions involving NOx/VOCs in sunlight.
  • Impacts: Causes respiratory problems and worsens conditions like asthma.
• Heavy Metals:
  • Sources: Industrial processes within ports (shipping, cargo handling).
  • Impacts: Accumulate in living organisms, leading to toxic health effects on humans and ecosystems.
• Formaldehyde:
  • Sources: Fumigation, combustion within port operations.
  • Impacts: Irritant, respiratory problems, and probable human carcinogen.

Sources of Air Pollution in Seaports by Category

• Marine Vessels:

  • Emissions: NOx, SOx, PM, CO, VOCs.
  • Heavy fuel oil use significantly increases SOx emissions; ships account for a portion of global emissions of NOx and SOx.

• Diesel-Powered Equipment:

  • Impacts: Contribute to NOx, PM, and CO emissions.

• Inland Transportation:

  • Can exceed port operations' emissions (e.g., Port of Felixstowe study).

• Dust from Bulk Material Handling:

  • Sources: Loading/unloading, uncovered conveyors.
  • Impacts: Contributes to particulate air pollution.

• Fumigation and Chemical Handling:

  • Pollutants: VOCs, formaldehyde (from pesticides/chemicals)
  • Impacts: Health risks to workers and surrounding residents.

• Port Infrastructure:

  • Stationary sources (e.g. storage tanks, refineries): release VOCs, heavy metals.

• Ship Idling:

  • Impacts: Unclear impact, mention of auxiliary power, potential emissions.