Air pollutants and greenhouse gases emission inventory for power plants in the Antarctic

Emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in Antarctica from power plants with diesel generators (the main sources of energy at Antarctic research stations and the main stationary sources of anthropogenic emissions in the Antarctic) were assessed. A bottom-up approach was used to compile an emission inventory for the Antarctic. This involved estimating emissions at various spatial levels by sequentially aggregating estimate emissions from point emission sources. This is the first time this approach has been proposed and used. Emissions of CO2, NOx, particulate matter (PM10), and CO in the modern period were estimated at the research station, geographic region, natural domain, biogeographic region, continent section, and whole continent scales. Yearly emissions are presented here, but the approach allows emissions at different averaging periods to be estimated. This means mean or maximum yearly, monthly, daily, or hourly emissions can be estimated. The estimates could be used to model pollutant transmission and dispersion, assess the impacts of pollutants, and develop emission forecasts for various scenarios

Trace elements in soils of oases of Enderby Land (on an example of Vecherny oasis)

The content of trace elements in the soils of the Vecherny Oasis (Enderby Land, East Antarctica), where the construction of the Belarusian Antarctic Station started in December 2015, is considered. The results of the research are based on data collected during four Belarusian Antarctic expeditions in the period from 2011 to 2017, and analytical testing of soil samples taken from impacted and non-impacted sites. A total of 22 soil samples were analyzed for the content of trace elements; to compare the levels of accumulation and possible migration pathways, 7 samples of bottom sediments were also analyzed. Determination of trace elements was carried out using the AAS method (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn) and emission spectral analysis (about 40 elements). The average values and range of concentrations of trace elements in soils and bottom sediments of the oasis are presented. The possible dependence of the trace elements content on the location positions in the landscape and on the sources of impact is discussed. It is shown, that the variability of metals content in soil profile for background site is low. In comparison with other oases of Antarctica no hotspots have been revealed and no significant areas of soil contamination have been identified yet, which is largely due to the fragmentation of the soil cover and lack of significant sources of pollution

An assessment of the impacts of diesel power plants on air quality in Antarctica

This study assessed the effects of diesel generators on air quality in the Antarctic. These devices are the primary energy sources for Antarctic research stations and the main stationary sources of anthropogenic emissions in this region. Taking the Vecherny Oasis, Enderby Land, East Antarctica as an example, NOx, SO2 and PM10 emissions were estimated and surface concentrations of these same pollutants as well as the dry deposition of PM10 were calculated for various periods of exploration of the oasis, based on generator capacities. Estimated values were compared with air quality standards and background air concentrations. The areas associated with increased maximum hourly surface concentrations of SO2, NO2 and PM10 over the past 30 a were found to have been reduced by factors of 43–55, 9–16 and 13–27, respectively. The region affected by increased maximum monthly PM10 deposition has been reduced by a factor of 7. Emissions, surface concentrations and dry depositions in the Vecherny Oasis were calculated for diesel generators in the same power range as used at Antarctic research stations. The most powerful diesel generator currently scheduled to be installed in this region was predicted to generate maximum hourly NO2 concentrations above 50 μg·m−3, which is 13 times greater than current levels. The area over which the PM10 deposition rate will exceed 10 mg·m−2·month−1 will be increased by a factor of 40. The technique employed herein has been demonstrated to be applicable to the preliminary assessment of stationary sources of pollutant emissions in Antarctica, including retrospective assessments

Inventory of unintentional POPs emission from anthropogenic sources in Antarctica

In spite of remote location and very limited human activities, Antarctica is affected by persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs investigation in Antarctica has a comparatively long history, but there are still large knowledge gaps in assessment of their emission into environment. In the paper the results of the first inventory of unintentional POPs emission from anthropogenic sources in Antarctica for modern period and preliminary estimate for the late 1980s are presented. Assessment of dioxin/furans (PCDD/Fs) emission in different media, as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in air is based on methodology of emission factors and indicators of human activity. The following sources of POPs emission have been estimated: power generation and heating, waste incineration, mobile sources and open burning of waste (in the past). According to the data obtained, annual PCDD/Fs air emission for modern period comprises 60.74 mg toxic equivalent (TEQ), PCBs – 5.09 mg TEQ, and HCB – 457.6 mg. Additionally 2.5 mg TEQ of dioxin/furans is released to residues, so total PCDD/Fs emission is amounted 63.23 mg TEQ. Waste incineration makes the greatest contribution to POPs emission (96% of PCDD/Fs, 98% of PCBs and 36% of HCB air emission). In late 1980s open burning of waste was the major source of POPs. Retrospective assessment shows that over a 30-year period air emissions of PCDD/Fs decreased about 13 times, PCBs—15 times and HCB—57 times, primarily due to the prohibition of open burning of waste in compliance with the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty requirements

Inventory Review 2007. Stage 1 and 2 review. Emission data reported to LRTAP Convention and NEC Directive, review of gridded data and review of PM inventories in Belarus, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation and Ukraine

Vurdering av utslippsdata rapportert til Konvensjonen for langtransportert luftforurensning i 200

Particle emissions in Belarus and in the Nordic countries : Emission inventories and integrated assessment modelling of black carbon and PM2.5

The overall goal of the project is to stimulate decision-makers in Belarus to prioritize abatement measures aimed at black carbon in their efforts to reduce emissions of PM2.5, as encouraged in the Gothenburg protocol under the UNECE CLRTAP. To reach this purpose and in order to build up scientific basis necessary for further policy development, a comprehensive analysis of PM2.5 and BC emissions, emission reduction potentials and cost-effective abatement measures in Belarus has been conducted. The report presents two main parts of the conducted analysis: a part focused on the emission inventories, and a part summarizing the results of the integrated assessment modelling. The main focus is on analysis for Belarus; however, a range of modelling results have been obtained for the three participating Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland and Sweden