Diploma Thesis Defense by Ms Anastasia Liakata

«Calculation of gaseous emissions and human health effects from ship emissions in the area of Souda»

Thesis Title: «Calculation of gaseous emissions and human health effects from ship emissions in the area of Souda»

Monday  7 October 2019, at: 14:45, Venue: Hall Κ2.I2

Examination Committee

  • Professor  Mihalis Lazaridis (advisor)
  • Associate  Professor Dionysia Kolokotsa
  • Professor  Theocharis Tsoutsos

Abstract

Air pollution is a matter that has already started to trouble the environment and its people. It seems that it is a pretty complicated problem to deal with as it is not geographically limited but affects the whole world.

The pollution problem has been highlighted as one of the main problem for the last years. Today, with the signing of various protocols, the establishment of environmental institutes and the sensitization of the public for the environmental problems, an effort of recording and coping with this global phenomenon is being made.

Nowadays, the global shipping industry is of great importance for the economic activity of many countries, as the 80% of the merchandise per volume is carried out through maritime transports. Furthermore, the shipping industry is the most efficient method of international transports for most of the products. It provides valuable, low cost means of transport of the merchandise in an international level.

In this diploma thesis we investigate the activities that are made during the docking of the ships in the port of Souda, either they operate as a hotel or waiting for their departure. In this state, ships produce electricity using their own auxiliary engines, which produce noise and air pollution. This air pollution is an additional source of pollution in port with significant dangers in human health on nearby communities.

In particular this project examines the concentration levels of PM10 emissions (suspended particulates), SO2 (sulfur dioxide) ,NOx (nitrogen oxides) and CO (carbon monoxide) emitted in the Souda area by ships which are stationed at Souda port for the year 2018. For this purpose the ISC3 model, which was accessible via the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), was used. Also, Marplot and Aloha programs were provided free of charge by EPA to illustrate the dispersion of these pollutants in the Souda area.

 In addition, a quantitative calculation was made for PM2.5, SO2 and NOx emission levels, which were calculated in a mathematical way using equations. Ending, an evaluation is made of the effects on human health after chronic exposure to suspended particles, using the ExDom2 model.

According to our findings using the ISC3 model, high concentrations of PM10 were noticed (34.86 μg/m3) but without exceeding the legislative limits (50 μg/m3 ). Also, concentrations of CO (30,12 μg/m3 ), NOx (45,63 μg/m3) and SO2 (28,68 μg/m3 ) with the legislative limits of 10 mg/m3 , 200 μg/m3 και 125 μg/m3 respectively ,were noticed to be at normal rates  which is  very positive  for the environment of Souda and its habitants.