Abstract. Marine traffic has been identified as a relevant source
of pollutants, which cause known negative effects on air quality. The
Iberian Peninsula is a central point in the connection of shipping traffic
between the Americas, Africa, and the rest of Europe. To estimate the
effects of shipping emissions inland and around the Iberian Peninsula, the EMEP/MSC-W model was run considering and not considering shipping emissions
(obtained with STEAM3). Total estimated emissions of CO, CO2,
SOx, NOx, and particulate matter (subdivided into elementary carbon – EC, organic carbon – OC, sulfate, and ash) for the study domain in 2015
were respectively 49, 30 000, 360, 710, 4.5, 11,
32, and 3.3 kt yr−1. Shipping emissions increased
SO2 and NO2 concentrations, especially near port areas, and also
increased the O3, sulfate, and particulate matter (PM2.5 and
PM10) concentrations over the entire Iberian Peninsula coastline
(especially in the south coastal region). Shipping emissions were
responsible for exceedances of WHO air quality guidelines for PM2.5 in
areas far from the coastline, which confirms that shipping emissions can
contribute negatively to air quality, both in coastal and inland areas.
The new WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines: What do they mean for South Africa?
