Modeling of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) concentrations resulting from ships at berth

Abstract

Oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) emissions from ships (marine vessels) contribute to poor air quality that negatively impacts public health and communities in coastal areas and far inland. These emissions often excessively harm human health, environment, wildlife habituates, and quality of life of communities and indigenous of people who live near ports. This study was conducted to assess the impact of NO_x emissions origination from ships at berth on a nearby community. It was undertaken at Said Bin Sultan Naval base in Wullayat Al-Mussana (Sultanate of Oman) during the year 2005. The Industrial Source Complex Short Term (ISCST) model was adopted to determine the dispersion of NO_x into port and beyond into surrounding urban areas. The hourly and monthly contours (isopleths) of NO_x concentrations in and around the port were plotted. The results were analyzed to determine the affected area and the level of NO_x concentrations. The highest concentration points in the studied area were also identified. The isopleths of NO_x indicated that most shipping emissions of NO_x occur at the port can be transported over land. The output results can help to derive advice of recommendations ships operators and environmentalists to take the correct decision to prevent workers and surrounded environment from pollution.

Keywords:

• NO_x concentration
• emissions from ships in port
• berth
• ISCST model
• Sultanate of Oman