Abstract. The activities and emissions from leisure boats at the Baltic Sea have been modelled in a comprehensive approach for the first time, using a new simulation model leisure boat emissions and activities simulator (BEAM). The model utilizes survey data to characterize the national leisure boat fleets. Leisure boats have been categorized based on their size, usage and engine specifications and for these sub-categories emission factors for NOx, PM2.5, CO, NMVOCs and releases of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) from anti-fouling paints have been estimated according to literature values. The modelling approach also considers the temporal and spatial distribution of leisure boat activities, which are applied to each simulated leisure boat separately. According to our results the CO and NMVOC emissions from leisure boats, as well as Cu and Zn released from antifouling paints, are significant when compared against the emissions originating from registered commercial shipping in the Baltic Sea. CO emissions equal 70 % of the registered shipping emissions and NMVOC emissions equal 160 % when compared against the modelled results at the Baltic Sea in 2014. Modelled NOx and PM2.5 from the leisure boats are less significant compared to the registered shipping emissions. The emissions from leisure boats are concentrated on the summer months of June, July and August and are released in the vicinity of inhabited coastal areas. Given the large emission estimates for leisure boats, this commonly overlooked source of emissions should be further investigated in greater detail.
Long-term temporal and spatial trends in eutrophication status of the Baltic Sea
