An assessment of the impacts of diesel power plants on air quality in Antarctica

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of diesel generators on air quality in the Antarctic. These devices are the primary energy sources for Antarctic research stations and the main stationary sources of anthropogenic emissions in this region. Taking the Vecherny Oasis, Enderby Land, East Antarctica as an example, NOx, SO2 and PM10 emissions were estimated and surface concentrations of these same pollutants as well as the dry deposition of PM10 were calculated for various periods of exploration of the oasis, based on generator capacities. Estimated values were compared with air quality standards and background air concentrations. The areas associated with increased maximum hourly surface concentrations of SO2, NO2 and PM10 over the past 30 a were found to have been reduced by factors of 43–55, 9–16 and 13–27, respectively. The region affected by increased maximum monthly PM10 deposition has been reduced by a factor of 7. Emissions, surface concentrations and dry depositions in the Vecherny Oasis were calculated for diesel generators in the same power range as used at Antarctic research stations. The most powerful diesel generator currently scheduled to be installed in this region was predicted to generate maximum hourly NO2 concentrations above 50 μg•m−3, which is 13 times greater than current levels. The area over which the PM10 deposition rate will exceed 10 mg•m−2•month−1 will be increased by a factor of 40. The technique employed herein has been demonstrated to be applicable to the preliminary assessment of stationary sources of pollutant emissions in Antarctica, including retrospective assessments. Citation: Kakareka S, Salivonchyk S. An assessment of the impacts of diesel power plants on air quality in Antarctica. Adv Polar Sci, 2020, 31(1): 74-87, doi: 10.13679/j.advps.2019.0029