Vertical Distribution of Particulates within the Near-Surface Layer of Dry Bulk Port and Influence Mechanism: A Case Study in China

Abstract

Knowing the vertical distribution of ambient particulate matter (PM) will help port authorities choose the optimal dust-suppression measures to reduce PM concentrations. In this study, we used an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to assess the vertical distribution (0-120 m altitude) of PM in a dry bulk port along the Yangtze River, China. Total suspended particulates (TSP), PM10, and PM2.5 concentrations at different altitudes were measured at seven sites representing different cargo-handling sites and a background site. Variations in results across sites make it not suitable to characterize the vertical distribution of PM concentration at this port using simple representative distributions. Bulk cargo particle size, fog cannon use, and porous fence all affected the vertical distribution of TSP concentrations but had only minor impacts on PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. Optimizing porous fence layout according to weather conditions and cargo demand at port have the most potential for mitigating PM pollution related to port operation. As ground-based stations cannot fully measure vertical PM distributions, our methods and results represent an advance in assessing the impact of port activities on air quality and can be used to determine optimal dust-suppression measures for dry bulk ports.

Time–Frequency Analysis of Particulate Matter (PM10) Concentration in Dry Bulk Ports Using the Hilbert–Huang Transform

“…At Site 3, the average wind speed was 1.3 m/s, SE was the prevailing wind direction with a non-negligible contribution from the S, accounting for approximately 55.5% and 17.4%, respectively. The main reason for the diversity in wind speed and direction at different measurement sites within the port may be the installation of a windbreak fence and other dust suppression measures around the harbor [ 36 ].…”

“…Furthermore, to control the PM concentration level around the dry bulk port, the environmental department requires the port authorities to install a windbreak fence around the harbor, increase coverage measures for the cargo yard, and spray during the cargo handling and unloading process. In previous research [ 36 ], we found that many factors could influence the effects of these dust suppression measures (such as cargo types, particle size characteristics, and hydrophilicity). However, it is challenging to judge which dust suppression measures are the most necessary in different ports.…”

Geochemistry of the Dust Collected by Passive Samplers as a Tool for Search of Pollution Sources: The Case of Klaipėda Port, Lithuania

“…However, another equally important potential source of pollutants includes bulk cargo operations that are also a major contributor of dust emissions in the territory of port and surrounding area. Both cargo loading [8] and storing in piles [9] were shown to significantly increase a downwind PM concentration. According to the European Emission Inventory guidebook, handling of openly stored mineral products can amount to 12 g of TSP, 6 g of PM10, and 0.6 g of PM2.5 per ton of handled mineral products and with large amounts of cargo loading in ports can become a significant source of pollution for the surrounding area [10].…”

“…The contents of wide groups of elements have been used for determination of the markers or indicators of different in-stack industrial emissions [4,14,15], but only for other urban areas, i.e., not ports. Moreover, most published manuscripts are limited to elemental analysis of dust spread within port territory or in adjacent sites [9,[16][17][18]. There is a lack of studies revealing elemental spread over further distances, and especially those that show the impact of bulk cargo operations on the atmogeochemical condition of surrounding residential areas.…”

Evolution and forecasting of PM10 concentration at the Port of Gijon (Spain)

“…In the same line there is another study, 15 performed in Barcelona’s harbour, also located in Spain and about 80 kms. as the crow flies from Tarragona, which has estimated that around 50–55% of PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations measured at the port could be attributed to harbour activities and that such activities provide about 9–12% of the total PM 10 concentration in the air and about 11–15% of PM 2.5 to the metropolitan area of this city Another interesting and innovative study 16 that deals with the problem of particulate matter in ports was performed in the port of Zhejiang. In this research, with the help of an unmanned aerial vehicle that integrated different sensors, authors have been able to create a profile of the vertical distribution of PM 2.5 , PM 10 and total suspended particles from ground level to a height of 120 m. A study made at the port of Volos 17 , in Greece, found that the highest PM 10 concentration values were associated with days of calm winds, meaning a wind speed under .…”