Towards operational monitoring of ship emissions using Long Path Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Schmitt ◽  
Denis Pöhler ◽  
Andreas Weigelt ◽  
Folkard Wittrock ◽  
André Seyler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Ship Emissions ◽  
Sulphur Compounds ◽  
River Elbe ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Ship Emission

<p>In contrast to land-based sources of air pollution, which have been regulated and reduced since several decades, NO<sub>x</sub> and SO<sub>x</sub> emissions from ships were only recently identified as significant sources of air pollution. As one consequence the sulphur content of ship fuel used within the so-called Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA) was recently regulated to a maximum of 0.1% (m/m) (MARPOL Annex VI). Therefore, especially monitoring the emission of sulphur compounds is of particular interest.</p><p>Within a 6-week measurement campaign in July and August of 2016, ship emissions were measured at the river Elbe in Germany, near Hamburg using the Long Path (LP)-DOAS technique. The measurements were carried out within the framework of the project MeSMarT (MEasurements of Shipping emissions in the MARine Troposphere), which investigates the influence of ship emissions on chemical processes in the atmosphere. Currently, monitoring of ship emission plumes is typically achieved by a combination of in situ trace gas monitors and meteorological sensors. In contrast to that the LP-DOAS technique is capable of simultaneously measuring signatures of multiple trace gases along an absorption path across a well-frequented waterway close to the ship exhaust-pipes and thus directly in the emission plume at a time resolution of a few seconds.</p><p>For our study, a LP-DOAS instrument was set up side by side to an in situ MeSMarT measurement station at the river Elbe at Wedel (15 km downriver of Hamburg harbour) where NO<sub>2</sub> and SO<sub>2</sub> emission signatures of a total of 5037 ship passes (of 1044 individual ships) were monitored. While the in situ method detected 16% of the ships, the LP-DOAS was able to assign emission plumes to 41% of all passing ships. With meteorology mainly limiting the in situ detection yield, the major limitation for the LP-DOAS was found to be due to the high traffic density and thus the difficulty to unambiguously assign recorded plumes to particular vessels, rather than to the sensitivity to the emission plume itself.</p><p>Based on the results of this feasibility study, we present a newly designed LP-DOAS system fulfilling the requirements for operational ship emission monitoring (robust mechanical setup, broad-band long-lifetime light source, compact sealed housing, automized alignment and data acquisition). This new system is now operated continuously to measure the ship emissions on the river Elbe.</p>

scholarly journals Estimation of ship emission rates at a major shipping lane by long-path DOAS measurements

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 5791-5807
Author(s):  
Kai Krause ◽  
Folkard Wittrock ◽  
Andreas Richter ◽  
Stefan Schmitt ◽  
Denis Pöhler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emission Factors ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
River Elbe ◽  
Gaussian Plume ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
First Time ◽  
Good Agreement ◽  
Ship Emission

Abstract. Ships are an important source of SO2 and NOx, which are key parameters of air quality. Monitoring of ship emissions is usually carried out using in situ instruments on land, which depend on favourable wind conditions to transport the emitted substances to the measurement site. Remote sensing techniques such as long-path differential optical absorption spectroscopy (LP-DOAS) measurements can supplement those measurements, especially in unfavourable meteorological conditions. In this study 1 year of LP-DOAS measurements made across the river Elbe close to Hamburg (Germany) have been evaluated. Peaks (i.e. elevated concentrations) in the NO2 and SO2 time series were assigned to passing ships, and a method to derive emission rates of SO2, NO2 and NOx from those measurements using a Gaussian plume model is presented. A total of 7402 individual ship passages have been monitored, and their respective NOx, SO2 and NO2 emission rates have been derived. The emission rates, coupled with the knowledge of the ship type, ship size and ship speed, have been analysed. Emission rates are compared to emission factors from previous studies and show good agreement. In contrast to emission factors (in grams per kilogram fuel), the derived emission rates (in grams per second) do not need further knowledge about the fuel consumption of the ship. To our knowledge this is the first time emission rates of air pollutants from individual ships have been derived from LP-DOAS measurements.

scholarly journals Monitoring shipping emissions in the German Bight using MAX-DOAS measurements

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 10997-11023 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Seyler ◽  
Folkard Wittrock ◽  
Lisa Kattner ◽  
Barbara Mathieu-Üffing ◽  
Enno Peters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Sulfur Content ◽  
North Sea ◽  
German Bight ◽  
Local Source ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
River Elbe ◽  
Prevailing Wind Direction

Abstract. A 3-year time series of ground-based multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements of NO2 and SO2 on the island Neuwerk has been analyzed for contributions from shipping emissions. The island is located in the German Bight, close to the main shipping lane (at a distance of 6–7 km) into the river Elbe towards the harbor of Hamburg. Measurements of individual ship plumes as well as of background pollution are possible from this location. A simple approach using the column amounts of the oxygen molecule dimer or collision complex, O4, for the determination of the horizontal light path length has been applied to retrieve path-averaged volume mixing ratios. An excellent agreement between mixing ratios determined from NO2 retrievals in the UV and visible parts of the spectrum has been found, showing the validity of the approach. Obtained mixing ratios of NO2 and SO2 are compared to co-located in situ measurements showing good correlation on average but also a systematic underestimation by the MAX-DOAS O4 scaling approach. Comparing data before and after the introduction of stricter fuel sulfur content limits (from 1 to 0.1 %) on 1 January 2015 in the North Sea Emission Control Area (ECA), a significant reduction in SO2 levels is observed. For situations with wind from the open North Sea, where ships are the only local source of air pollution, the average mixing ratio of SO2 decreased by a factor of 8, while for NO2 in the whole time series from 2013 to 2016, no significant change in emissions was observed. More than 2000 individual ship emission plumes have been identified in the data and analyzed for the emission ratio of SO2 to NO2, yielding an average ratio of 0.3 for the years 2013/2014 and decreasing significantly, presumably due to lower fuel sulfur content, in 2015/2016. By sorting measurements according to the prevailing wind direction and selecting two angular reference sectors representative for wind from the open North Sea and coast excluding data with mixed air mass origin, relative contributions of ships and land-based sources to air pollution levels in the German Bight have been estimated to be around 40 % : 60 % for NO2 as well as SO2 in 2013/2014, dropping to 14 % : 86 % for SO2 in 2015/2016.

scholarly journals Estimation of ship emission rates at a major shipping lane by long path DOAS measurements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Krause ◽  
Folkard Wittrock ◽  
Andreas Richter ◽  
Stefan Schmitt ◽  
Denis Pöhler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emission Factors ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
River Elbe ◽  
Gaussian Plume ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
One Year ◽  
First Time ◽  
Good Agreement ◽  
Ship Emission

Abstract. Ships are an important source of SO2 and NOx, which are key parameters of air quality. Monitoring of ship emissions is usually carried out using in situ instruments on land, which depend on favourable wind conditions to transport the emitted substances to the measurement site. Remote sensing techniques such as long path DOAS (LP-DOAS) measurements can supplement those measurements, especially in unfavourable meteorological conditions. In this study one year of LP-DOAS measurements made across the river Elbe close to Hamburg (Germany) have been evaluated. Peaks (i.e. elevated concentrations) in the NO2 and SO2 time series were assigned to passing ships and a method to derive emission rates of SO2, NO2 and NOx from those measurements using a Gaussian plume model is presented. 7402 individual ship passages have been monitored and their respective NOx, SO2 and NO2 emission rates have been derived. The emission rates, coupled with the knowledge of the ship type, ship size and ship speed have been analysed. Emission rates are compared to emission factors from previous studies and show good agreement. In contrast to emission factors (in gram per kilogram fuel) the derived emission rates (in gram per second) do not need further knowledge about the fuel consumption of the ship. To our knowledge this is the first time emission rates of air pollutants from individual ships have been derived from LP-DOAS measurements.

scholarly journals Surveillance of SO<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>2</sub> from ship emissions by MAX-DOAS measurements and the implications regarding fuel sulfur content compliance

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (21) ◽  
pp. 13611-13626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuli Cheng ◽  
Shanshan Wang ◽  
Jian Zhu ◽  
Yanlin Guo ◽  
Ruifeng Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sulfur Content ◽  
Atmospheric Dispersion ◽  
Pulse Signal ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Ship Emissions ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Water Port ◽  
Inland Waterway

Abstract. Due to increased concerns regarding air pollutants emitted from shipping, feasible technology for the surveillance of these pollutants is in high demand. Here, we present shore-based multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements of SO2 and NO2 emitted from ships under different traffic conditions in China's ship emission control areas (ECAs) in Shanghai and Shenzhen, China. Three typical measurement sites were selected in these two regions to represent the following emission scenarios: ships docked at berth, ships navigating in an inland waterway and inbound/outbound ships in a deep-water port. Using 2-D scanning, the observations show that SO2 and NO2 hot spots can be quickly and easily located from multiple berths. Although MAX-DOAS measurements can not distinguish plumes from specific ships in the busy shipping lanes of the inland waterway area, they certify that variations in the SO2 and NO2 levels are mainly impacted by the ship traffic density and the atmospheric dispersion conditions. In the open water area, which has a lower vessel density, MAX-DOAS measurements can capture the pulse signal of ship-emitted SO2 and NO2 very well; they can also characterize the peak's altitude and the insistent duration of the individual ship plumes. Combined with the ship activity data, information on the rated power of the engine and the fuel sulfur content, it was found that the SO2∕NO2 ratio in a single plume is usually low (< 1.5) for inbound vessels due to the usage of the auxiliary engine, which has less power and uses “clean” fuel with a low sulfur content. Thus, an unexpectedly high SO2∕NO2 ratio implies the use of fuel with a sulfur content exceeding the regulation limits. Therefore, the observed SO2∕NO2 ratio in the plume of a single ship can be used as an index to indicate compliance (or noncompliance) with respect to the fuel sulfur content, and the suspicious ship can then be flagged for further enforcement. Combining the ship emissions estimated by actual operation parameters and the logical sulfur content, shore-based MAX-DOAS measurements will provide a fast and more accurate way to surveil ship emissions.

scholarly journals Comparison of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Consortia from Surface and Deep Waters of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea: Characterization and Degradation Potential

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2246
Author(s):  
Georgia Charalampous ◽  
Efsevia Fragkou ◽  
Konstantinos A. Kormas ◽  
Alexandre B. De Menezes ◽  
Paraskevi N. Polymenakou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Deep Waters ◽  
Degradation Rates ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Set Up

The diversity and degradation capacity of hydrocarbon-degrading consortia from surface and deep waters of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea were studied in time-series experiments. Microcosms were set up in ONR7a medium at in situ temperatures of 25 °C and 14 °C for the Surface and Deep consortia, respectively, and crude oil as the sole source of carbon. The Deep consortium was additionally investigated at 25 °C to allow the direct comparison of the degradation rates to the Surface consortium. In total, ~50% of the alkanes and ~15% of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were degraded in all treatments by Day 24. Approximately ~95% of the total biodegradation by the Deep consortium took place within 6 days regardless of temperature, whereas comparable levels of degradation were reached on Day 12 by the Surface consortium. Both consortia were dominated by well-known hydrocarbon-degrading taxa. Temperature played a significant role in shaping the Deep consortia communities with Pseudomonas and Pseudoalteromonas dominating at 25 °C and Alcanivorax at 14 °C. Overall, the Deep consortium showed a higher efficiency for hydrocarbon degradation within the first week following contamination, which is critical in the case of oil spills, and thus merits further investigation for its exploitation in bioremediation technologies tailored to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

scholarly journals Air Pollution, Neonatal Immune Responses, and Potential Joint Effects of Maternal Depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5062
Author(s):  
Jill Hahn ◽  
Diane R. Gold ◽  
Brent A. Coull ◽  
Marie C. McCormick ◽  
Patricia W. Finn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cord Blood ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Tobit Regression ◽  
Adverse Health Effects

Prenatal maternal exposure to air pollution may cause adverse health effects in offspring, potentially through altered immune responses. Maternal psychosocial distress can also alter immune function and may increase gestational vulnerability to air pollution exposure. We investigated whether prenatal exposure to air pollution is associated with altered immune responses in cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) and potential modification by maternal depression in 463 women recruited in early pregnancy (1999–2001) into the Project Viva longitudinal cohort. We estimated black carbon (BC), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), residential proximity to major roadways, and near-residence traffic density, averaged over pregnancy. Women reported depressive symptoms in mid-pregnancy (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and depression history by questionnaire. Immune responses were assayed by concentrations of three cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α), in unstimulated or stimulated (phytohemagglutinin (PHA), cockroach extract (Bla g 2), house dust mite extract (Der f 1)) CBMCs. Using multivariable linear or Tobit regression analyses, we found that CBMCs production of IL-6, TNF-a, and IL-10 were all lower in mothers exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 during pregnancy. A suggestive but not statistically significant pattern of lower cord blood cytokine concentrations from ever (versus never) depressed women exposed to PM2.5, BC, or traffic was also observed and warrants further study.

scholarly journals Monitoring of compliance with fuel sulfur content regulations through unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) measurements of ship emissions

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 6113-6124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Zhou ◽  
Shengda Pan ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Xunpeng Ni ◽  
Bowen An
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Sulfur Content ◽  
Measurement System ◽  
Yangtze River Delta ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Ship Emissions ◽  
Chemical Examination ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

Abstract. Air pollution from ship exhaust gas can be reduced by the establishment of emission control areas (ECAs). Efficient supervision of ship emissions is currently a major concern of maritime authorities. In this study, a measurement system for exhaust gas from ships based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was designed and developed. Sensors were mounted on the UAV to measure the concentrations of SO2 and CO2 in order to calculate the fuel sulfur content (FSC) of ships. The Waigaoqiao port in the Yangtze River Delta, an ECA in China, was selected for monitoring compliance with FSC regulations. Unlike in situ or airborne measurements, the proposed measurement system could be used to determine the smoke plume at about 5 m from the funnel mouth of ships, thus providing a means for estimating the FSC of ships. In order to verify the accuracy of these measurements, fuel samples were collected at the same time and sent to the laboratory for chemical examination, and these two types of measurements were compared. After 23 comparative experiments, the results showed that, in general, the deviation of the estimated value for FSC was less than 0.03 % (m/m) at an FSC level ranging from 0.035 % (m/m) to 0.24 % (m/m). Hence, UAV measurements can be used for monitoring of ECAs for compliance with FSC regulations.

Use of a crystallization robot to set up sitting-drop vapor-diffusion crystallization andin situcrystallization screens

2000 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 344-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher F. Snook ◽  
Michael D. Purdy ◽  
Michael C. Wiener
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Protein Crystallization ◽  
Integral Membrane Proteins ◽  
Vapor Diffusion ◽  
Liquid Handling ◽  
General Utility ◽  
Crystallization Experiments ◽  
Automated Screening ◽  
Set Up

A commercial crystallization robot has been modified for use in setting up sitting-drop vapor-diffusion crystallization experiments, and for setting up protein crystallization screensin situ. The primary aim of this effort is the automated screening of crystallization of integral membrane proteins in detergent-containing solutions. However, the results of this work are of general utility to robotic liquid-handling systems. Sources of error that can prevent the accurate dispensing and mixing of solutions have been identified, and include local environmental, machine-specific and solution conditions. Solutions to each of these problems have been developed and implemented.

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