A crucial hub for the maritime traffic in the Mediterranean Sea, the harbour of Livorno, located near Pisa (Italy), is expected to be involved in significant rearrangements in the next few years. To this aim, in partnership with both local Port Authority and the Tuscany Region Environmental Protection Agency (ARPAT), the Institute of Biometeorology (IBIMET) deployed in Livorno a low-cost air quality monitoring network to assess the air pollution impacts deriving from the harbour activities. The monitoring network consisted of six innovative low-cost stations (named AIRQino) equipped with sensors for collecting main atmospheric pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, CO) and meteorological parameters (air temperature and relative humidity). A monitoring campaign was carried out in Livorno across a 1-year period (01/11/2017-31/10/2018). To provide further insight into the role played by harbour emissions, the analysis was performed by period of the year, thus discriminating into: (i) a "cold" period, when heating systems are on, and thus additionally contribute to air pollution in the area; (ii) a "warm" period, when heating systems are off, i.e. when harbour activities and road traffic are the predominant emission sources. As a result, harbour activities proved to appreciably contribute to PM10 pollution during the cold months, while urban road traffic plays the leading role during the warm months. NO2 concentrations are also significantly influenced by the maritime activities, particularly by machinery and other dieselfueled vehicles operating in the harbour's industrial zone, and to a lesser extent by the touristic sea traffic including ferries and cruise ships.
A smart low-cost network to assess air quality impacts from harbor activities
Zaldei A;Brilli L;Carotenuto F;Gioli B;Gualtieri G;Pellegrino L;Rossini G;Vagnoli C
2019
Abstract
A crucial hub for the maritime traffic in the Mediterranean Sea, the harbour of Livorno, located near Pisa (Italy), is expected to be involved in significant rearrangements in the next few years. To this aim, in partnership with both local Port Authority and the Tuscany Region Environmental Protection Agency (ARPAT), the Institute of Biometeorology (IBIMET) deployed in Livorno a low-cost air quality monitoring network to assess the air pollution impacts deriving from the harbour activities. The monitoring network consisted of six innovative low-cost stations (named AIRQino) equipped with sensors for collecting main atmospheric pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, CO) and meteorological parameters (air temperature and relative humidity). A monitoring campaign was carried out in Livorno across a 1-year period (01/11/2017-31/10/2018). To provide further insight into the role played by harbour emissions, the analysis was performed by period of the year, thus discriminating into: (i) a "cold" period, when heating systems are on, and thus additionally contribute to air pollution in the area; (ii) a "warm" period, when heating systems are off, i.e. when harbour activities and road traffic are the predominant emission sources. As a result, harbour activities proved to appreciably contribute to PM10 pollution during the cold months, while urban road traffic plays the leading role during the warm months. NO2 concentrations are also significantly influenced by the maritime activities, particularly by machinery and other dieselfueled vehicles operating in the harbour's industrial zone, and to a lesser extent by the touristic sea traffic including ferries and cruise ships.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
