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Air Pollution-Types and Sources

byby

Dr. Badar GhauriDr. Badar GhauriDirectorDirector

Space & Atmospheric Research Dte.Space & Atmospheric Research Dte.

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Air Pollution

The presence of contaminants in air to such a

degree that adversely affects our health,

property, agriculture, biodiversity, climate and

other uses of air as resource

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Human health impacts.

Highest risk: lead, fine particles.

Other pollutants of concern: ozone, airborne toxics.

Other environmental externalities and concerns.

Damage to natural and physical capital, amenity losses, contribution to climate change.

Policy development, prioritization of management action and project siting

WHY CARE ABOUT AIR POLLUTION?

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Natural Natural

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Man-Made

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Volume source of pollution is a three-dimensional source of pollutant emissions. Essentially, it is an area source with a third dimension.

Examples of a volume source of pollution are:

Dust emissions from the wind erosion of uncovered gravel piles, sand piles, limestone piles, coal piles, etc.

Fugitive gaseous emissions from pipe flanges, packed valve seals, gas compressor seals, control valve seals, piping and vessel seals within industrial facilities such as oil refineries and petrochemical plants.

Buildings, containing air pollutant emission sources, with no singular emission vent (i.e., buildings with multiple roof vents or multiple open windows).

Tanks Modeling

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Area sources are sources of pollution which emit a substance or radiation from a specified area.

For example, area sources of air pollution are air pollutant emission sources which operate within a certain locality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has categorized 70 different categories of air pollution area source. Locomotives operating on certain linear tracks are examples of a line source, whereas locomotives operating within a railyard are an example of an area source of pollution.

Other area sources of air pollution are:Multiple flue gas stacks within a single industrial plantOpen burning and forest firesEvaporation losses from large spills of volatile liquids

Oil Spill Forest Fire Industrial Plant

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Point source of pollution is a single identifiable localized source of air, water, thermal, noise or light pollution. A point source has negligible extent, distinguishing it from other pollution source geometries. The sources are called point sources because in mathematical modeling, they can be approximated as a mathematical point to simplify analysis. Pollution point sources are identical to other physics, engineering, optics and chemistry point sources except that their emissions have been labeled

Water pollution from an oil refinery wastewater discharge outlet Noise pollution from a jet engine Disruptive seismic vibration from a localized seismic study Light pollution from an intrusive street light Thermal pollution from an industrial process outfall Radio emissions from an interference-producing electrical device

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Line source is a source of air, noise, water contamination or electromagnetic radiation that emanates from a linear (one-dimensional) geometry. The most prominent linear sources are roadway air pollution, aircraft air emissions, roadway noise, certain types of water pollution sources that emanate over a range of river extent rather than from a discrete point, elongated light tubes, and electromagnetic antennas. While point sources of pollution were studied since the late nineteenth century, linear sources did not receive much attention from scientists until the late 1960s, when environmental regulations for highways and airports began to emerge. At the same time, computers with the processing power to accommodate the data processing needs of the computer models required to tackle these one-dimensional sources became more available.

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Parameters Monitored Traditional

Criteria Pollutants SO2, NO2, CO, O3, PM (10 and 2.5) and lead Lead receives little attention now Recent focus is on O3 and PM2.5

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)/Air Toxics Benzene, Formaldehyde, etc.

Non-traditional Acid Rain Secondary Pollutants SO4, NO3, O3 Meteorological Parameters

Wind speed, wind direction, horizontal turbulence, vertical turbulence, temperature, temperature profile, solar radiation and precipitation

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Knowing is first step?Knowing is first step?

Without monitoring it is not possible to implement policy

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Air Monitoring Network Obj:

Determine trends - is the air pollution control program working?

Assess environmental risk - how bad is the problem?

Corroborate the emission inventories Validate the models - how good are the model

predictions? Establishment of Ambient Air Quality Standards Determine whether or not a National

Standards/International has been exceeded

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Air Pollutants MonitoringAir Pollutants Monitoring

Collect and reviewinformation

Conductmonitoring

DevelopMonitoring plan

Summarize/Evaluate results

•Routine operation•Quality control•Field documentation

•Select monitoring constituents•Specify meteorological monitoring•Design network•Select monitoring methods/ equipment and monitoring site

•Develop sampling and analysis

•Data review and Validation•Data summaries•Consider monitoring uncertainties•Dispersion modeling applications

Monitoring Air Pathway Analysis

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Cost of Air Monitoring

Capital purchase of analyzers, samplers, site selection

laboratory infrastructure.

Equipment service, maintenance

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Main National Policies to Improve Air Quality Ambient air quality standards

Protect people’s health

Fuel quality standards

Sulfur reduction lowers SOx emissions

Lead removal stops lead emissions, enables emission control

technology.

Unleaded gasoline and ultra-low sulfur fuels allow for advanced

PM and NOx control.

Vehicle emission standards

New vehicle emissions standards can lead to the use of emission

control technologies (e.g. for 2-stoke motorcycles).

Better to have standards that can be achieved than stringent

standards that are not enforced.

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Role of Urban Transport

Important contributor to air pollution.

Lead from gasoline- a problem of the past as leaded gasoline has been phased out.

Fine and ultra fine particles in vehicle exhaust present concern.

Ozone precursors (HC and NOx) in vehicle exhaust emerging problem for the future.

Current reality

Old polluting fleets and low replacement rates.

Fuel adulteration, poor quality and vehicle maintenance culture.

Weak administrative capacity to regulate and monitor.

Future challenge

Rising income and motorization will increase pollution.

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Air Pollution – Components

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Particulate Matter

Very small particles of soot, dust, or other matter, including tiny droplets of liquids

PM10 - particles with diameters less than or equal to 10 micrometers

PM2.5 - particles with diameters less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers

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Particulate MatterWhere Does It Come From?

Diesel engines Power plants Industries Windblown dust Wood stoves Pollen Other sources

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What are the health effects?

Breathing problems due to damage and irritation to the lungs

Aggravation of asthma, lung, or heart disease in people who already have these problems

Chronic bronchitis Irritation of eyes, throat, skin, & nose Especially children, elderly, people with chronic

respiratory problem

Particulate Matter

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What are the environmental effects?

Damage to crops Decreased visibility (regional haze) Damage to buildings and statues

Particulate Matter

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Aerosols and Hydrological CycleIncreased aerosols

Weak Hydrological Cycle

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Indirect Effect

More AerosolsMore Aerosols

More Cloud DropletsMore Cloud Droplets

More Sunlight Will Be Reflected.More Sunlight Will Be Reflected.

Net Result:

• Reduction In Solar Radiation at the Surface Reduction In Solar Radiation at the Surface

• Last Longer Clouds and Cooling Last Longer Clouds and Cooling

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Carbon MonoxideWhat is it?

A colorless, odorless gas.Produced when something is burned

incompletely or in a closed-in areaToxic to all humans and animals.Most commonly inhaled poisonous

substance

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Carbon MonoxideWhere can it be formed?Incorrectly vented furnacesGas water heatersGas stoves and clothes dryersFireplaces that are blocked by

debrisNon-electric space heaters Charcoal grills used inside as heatersAutomobiles idling in closed garages

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Carbon Oxides

Effects• CO binds to hemoglobin in place of oxygen

• Affinity for CO ~ 200x higher than for O2

• Continued exposure can lead to• Impairment of vision• Reduced manual dexterity• Poor learning ability• Difficulty performing complex tasks• Greater risk of heart attacks in people with certain

forms of heart disease (e.g. angina)

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Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)Sources

• Principally NO2

• Highly reactive reddish-brown gas• Play a major role in the formation of ozone, PM, haze

and acid rain• Important component of photochemical smog• Forms from FF combustion at high temperatures

• Mobile – Automobiles• Stationary – Power plants, home heaters, gas

stoves• Formation could be controlled by using pure

oxygen for combustion (impractical and dangerous)

• Formation reduced by low-temperature combustion

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Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)Effects

• Strong oxidizing agent• Reacts readily in air to form nitric acid and nitrates

• Health• Irritate lungs and lower resistance to respiratory

infections• Lung damage

• Environment• Impair plant growth• Damage plant foliage• Contribute to acid rain

- Leaching of minerals from soil

- Acidification of lakes and waterways• Contribute to eutrophication of lakes and

waterways

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Sulfur Dioxide

A gaseous compound made up of sulfur and oxygen It is a major component of acid rain It is very smellyWhere does it come from? It comes from the burning of coal and oil. Power plants and industries Coal-burning stoves Refineries

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SO2 -What are the health effects?

SO2 causes lung disease SO2 can cause eye irritation and burning of the skin Other Environmental effects;

• Impair plant growth• Damage plant foliage• Contribute to acid rain - Leaching of minerals from soil - Acidification of lakes and waterways

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Typical SO2 Sources

Source Category% of Total

Transportation 2.89

Fuel combustion in stationary sources 76.52

Pulp and Paper 0.22

Calcium carbide 0.01

Sulfuric acid plants 1.37

Claus sulfur plants 2.53

Coking 1.37

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Source Category % of TotalPetroleum refining

Fluid catalytic cracking 1.02

Thermal catalytic cracking 0.01

Nonferrous metals

Copper 10.31

Zinc and Lead 2.60

Solid wastes disposal 0.29

Agricultural burning 0.29

Total 100.00

Table Cont’d…Typical SO2 Sources

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Typical H-C SourcesSource Category

% of Total

Transportation (total) 37.92Highway 32.89Non-highway 5.034

Stationary fuel combustion (total) 5.369Electric utilities 0.336Other 5.034

Industrial processes (total) 11.07Chemicals 5.369Petroleum refining 2.685Metals 0.671Others 2.349

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Typical H-C Sources

Source Category % of TotalSolid waste (total) 3.02Miscellaneous (total) 42.62

Forest wildfires 1.678Forest managed burning 0.671Agricultural burning 0.336Organic solvents 27.18Oil and gas production and marketing 12.42

Total 100.00

Table Cont’d…

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Ozone

Where can it be found?

Stratosphere - protects us from UV rays of the sun “good” ozone

Troposphere - ground-level ozone - the air we breathe - “bad” ozone

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Ground-level Ozone

Where do the pollutants that form ground-level ozone come from?

Air emissions from industry Motor vehicle exhaust Gasoline vapors Chemical solvents

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Ozone (O3)

Effects (Primary constituent of photochemical smog)

• Health

• Respiratory inflammation

• Reduction of lung function

• Chest pain, coughing, nausea, pulmonary congestion

• Permanent lung damage from repeated exposure

• Environment

• Impair plant growth

• Damage plant foliage

• Ozone causes several billion dollars in agricultural

crop loss each year

• Damage to forest ecosystems

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• VOCsSources

Gasoline vapors (gas tanks, gas cans)

• Chemical solvents (chemical plants, factories,

refineries, commercial products)

• Fossil fuel combustion (motor vehicles)

• Secondary pollutant (ground-level ozone) formed

from NOx and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in

the presence of heat and sunlight

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Sinks for Selected Pollutants

CO(0.09-2.7 YEARS)

CO2(2-10 YEARS)

SO2(20 MIN-7 DAYS)

NOX(3-5 DAYS)

H-Cs(1.5-2 YEARS METHANE)

OZONE(2HRS-3 DAYS)

Uptake by Soil and Conversion to CO2 by microbes

Dissolve in Ocean, Take-up by plants

Precipitation Scavenging then to Sulphate Particle

Precipitation Scavenging then to Nitrate

Oxidized to CO2, Absorption on Soil then Microbial Degradation, Photochemical Degradation

Photochemical Reaction in Atmosphere

CO (0.09-2.7

YEARS)

CO2(2-10 YEARS)

SO2(20 MIN-7 DAYS)

NOX(3-5 DAYS)

H-Cs(1.5-2 YEARS METHANE)

OZONE(2HRS-3 DAYS)

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Factors Affecting Distribution of Pollutants Factors Affecting Distribution of Pollutants

Precipitation

Humidity

Fog

Sunshine

Wind Velocity

Wind Direction (From Source)

Barometric Pressure

Height Of Emitting Source

Mountains, Hills

Distance From Source

- Cleans Air

+ Dissolve Many Pollutants

+ Remain Same

+ Sunshine Initiate the Oxidation

+ Less Pollution Near The Source But Faster & Wider Distribution

+ Greater Contamination

+ Lighter Wind; Less Dispersion

- Dilution Of Contamination

- Break Force Of Wind

- Remain Same

Sunday, April 9, 2023

Sunday, April 9, 2023 Air Quality Monitoring Mobile LabAir Quality Monitoring Mobile Lab

Sunday, April 9, 2023

Inner View of Mobile Lab.Inner View of Mobile Lab.

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Feasibility Study for Development of Transport Feasibility Study for Development of Transport Pollution Control Plan for Karachi Metropolis (CDGK)Pollution Control Plan for Karachi Metropolis (CDGK)

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Study Sites in Metropolitan KarachiStudy Sites in Metropolitan Karachi

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To establish the Baseline Data on the Status of Ambient Air, Water, Noise and Soil Pollution in Karachi

To assess the Impact of Pollution Generated by Operation of Vehicular Traffic on physical, living and social Environment

To propose remedial measures and course of action to control ambient pollution

To prepare a feasibility study report on transport control plan dealing with issues related to fuel, vehicles & their operators for providing clean environment

The Main Objectives of the Project

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Methodology Methodology

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Monitoring, Sampling & AnalysisMonitoring, Sampling & Analysis

Comprehensive survey at 26 traffic congestion points to record the current level of air pollutants, noise and traffic density.

Analyze soil, ground & waste water, growth of trees & loss of vegetation, decoloration of buildings, cultural heritage and other structures

Analyze the blood samples, audiometry, of highly exposed individuals to vehicular operations

Analyze the type of vehicles, their tuning effects and fuel quality contributing to environmental pollution

Conduct interviews of drivers, vehicle operators & owners, policemen, hawkers and beggars etc

Build a transportation model based on the collected information

Propose remedial measures for reduction in environmental degradation

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Corridors for Pollution ModelingCorridors for Pollution Modeling

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Findings of the StudyFindings of the Study

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Raised levels of pollutants on major transport corridors range between 10-40 ppb SO2 (140

ppb US EPA), 20-241 ppb NOx (50 ppb annual USEPA), 2-17 ppm CO (9 ppm 8-hourly avg

USEPA), 160-616 ppm CO2, 40-490 g/m3 PM10 (150 g/m3 USEPA ), 5-47 ppb O3 (80 ppb 8-

hourly avg USEPA), 7-79 g/m3 Toluene and 58-99 dB(A) Noise (85 dB(A) NEQS)

Cont’d Cont’d ……

Air Quality on Traffic CorridorsAir Quality on Traffic CorridorsAverage Levels SO2 NOx CO PM10 CO2 O3 Noise dB(A)

Observed Average levels on city intersections

63g/m3

22 ppb235g/m3 115 ppb

8 ppm 242 g/m3 334 ppm 18 ppb 78

World Bank--

150 g/m3 73 ppb

24-hourly-- 230 g/m3 -- 70

WHO-- --

9 ppm (10,000g/m3)

120 g/m3 (SPM)

-- (0.11 )

NEQS Pakistan <200 g/m3

70 ppb (24-hrly)

50g/m3 24 ppb

Yrly Avg-- -- -- 85

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24 Hourly Average Levels of Pollutants at 24 Hourly Average Levels of Pollutants at Major Road Intersections in KarachiMajor Road Intersections in Karachi

SO2 ppb

NOx ppbCO ppm

CO2 ppm PM10

g/m3

O3 ppb

Noise dB(A)

22 115 8 334 242 18 78

WHO or World Bank Standards

53(150 g/m3)

73 (150 g/m3)

9 -- 120 -- 85

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Vehicular emissions from Gasoline operated vehicles during 2004-2005

Air Pollutants from use of gasoline

Daily Emissions(Tons)

Yearly Emissions (Tons)

CO2 2106.48 768865.2

HC 11.397 4159.905

SO2 0.424 154.76

NOx 8.096 2955.04

PM10 1.872 683.28

Total Emission 2128.269 776818.2

Pollution Load

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Air Pollutants from use of diesel

Daily Emissions(Tons)

Yearly Emissions (Tons)

CO2 5585.12 2038569

HC 5.418 1977.57

SO2 27.717 10116.71

NOx 22.924 8367.26

CO 90.654 33088.71

PM10 5.002 1825.73

Total Emission 5736.835 2093945

Vehicular emissions from Diesel operated vehicles during 2004-2005

Pollution Load

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Share of On-Road Vehicles in Karachi during 2005

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Share of Pollutant Emissions based on Petrol Consumption during 2005

HCs38%

CO27%CO

21%

PM6%

NOx27%

SO21%

CO2 HCs SO2 NOx PM CO

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Share of Pollutant Emissions based on Diesel Consumption during 2005

CO54%

PM3%

NOx14%

SO223%

HCs3%

CO23%

CO2 HCs SO2 NOx PM CO

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Project BenefitsProject Benefits

Improvement of the road environment & performance Improvement of the road environment & performance of vehicles in operationof vehicles in operation

Enhancement in the quality of manpower involved in Enhancement in the quality of manpower involved in operation and repair / maintenance of the vehiclesoperation and repair / maintenance of the vehicles

Establish a monitoring system to keep a check on the Establish a monitoring system to keep a check on the performance of the management systemperformance of the management system

Improve quality of life of the in-habitants, labors & Improve quality of life of the in-habitants, labors & workersworkers

Improvement in the growth of plants & treesImprovement in the growth of plants & trees

Induction of new technology & cleaner fuelsInduction of new technology & cleaner fuels

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PM2.5 concentration at Lahore

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International Participation Program

Worldwide Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET)

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SCIAMACHY(ENVISAT)CO Column(1018Molecules/cm2))

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MODISCO (Molecules/cm2)

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EUMETSAT (NO2)

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