Air emission inventory and air quality modelling for developing countries: A case of Vinh Phuc province, Vietnam

Abstract

Vinh Phuc is a province in the Northern Key Economic Region with a developed industry, a high population rate, and a relatively high traffic density. Along with economic growth, environmental protection in general, and air quality improvement in particular are two challenges that Vinh Phuc authorities must identify in the coming years. To do so, total emission load data must be acquired in order to establish a pollution distribution map for the entire Vinh Phuc province. The paper’s aim is to provide: (i) air emissions inventory, and (ii) the application of the model to build a map of pollution distribution in Vinh Phuc province. Different methods are used in this study, including (i) emission inventory utilizing both bottom-up and top-down techniques [1], (ii) air quality simulation applying the Finite Volume Model - Transport and Air Pollution Model [2] (FVM-TAPOM), and (iii) other approaches such as interview method, statistical tool, geographic information system (GIS), expert method, etc. According to research findings, motorbikes account for more than 90% of the concentration of pollutants for traffic activities. Iron and steel industries has the highest emission among 15 industries and straw burning activities account for more than 70% of total area source emissions. An emissions distribution map for traffic and industry sources was developed based on air quality simulation which showed that Vinh Yen city has the highest emissions among 09 districts and cities in Vinh Phuc province. The study also identified the causes of air pollution in Vinh Phuc province, providing remedies for the management agency to release plans and activities to minimize Vinh Phuc province emissions and ensure the local community’s air quality and health.