Analysis of the Nicolaus Copernicus Airport Activity in Terms of the Flight Operations Impact on Air Pollution

Kamila Przespolewska-Gdowik,Remigiusz Jasiński

doi:10.3390/en14248236

Abstract

The dynamic development of aviation is associated with many benefits, but also, unfortunately, with negative effects. One of the adverse consequences is the exhaust emissions that have a negative impact on human health. It particularly affects the residents of areas neighboring airports, as airport activity deteriorates local air quality. Using the Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System, the activity of the Nicolaus Copernicus Airport was assessed in terms of the flight operations’ contribution to air contamination in the area adjacent to the airport. Emissions from three sources were compared: aircraft, ground support equipment and auxiliary power units. The concentrations of pollutants in inhabited areas located in three different directions in relation to the airport were also estimated. In addition, the effect of distance from the airport on contaminant concentrations was assessed as a function of wind direction. It was noticed that small values of pollutant concentrations, originating from airport activity, appeared within a few kilometers from the airport, even if the prevailing wind direction on a given day was opposite to the analyzed dispersion direction.

Highlights

Aviation is a rapidly growing branch of transport
It was noticed that small values of pollutant concentrations, originating from airport activity, appeared within a few kilometers from the airport, even if the prevailing wind direction on a given day was opposite to the analyzed dispersion direction
Three toxic compounds were selected for analysis: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters below 2.5 μm

Summary

Introduction

Aviation is a rapidly growing branch of transport. Its major advantage is the ability to move quickly over very long distances. It is an integral part of the modern world and contributes to the economic growth of countries [1,2]. With the growth of aviation comes an increase in the amount of pollutants emitted from aviation activities [3,4,5]. According to the data presented in [3]: . Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations

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