High-resolution spatial distribution of marine vessel emission and its significance in sustainable port air quality management: A case study of Port of Incheon

Abstract

Emerging concern on shipping air emission and sustainable port management arises the necessity of appropriate guideline and perspective. Although estimation of vessel air emission using fuel consumption statistics has been broadly applied for national or regional emission inventory so far in many countries, it still requires further considerations to minutely understand how large emission is occurred in particular locations and periods. This study aimed to investigate the vessel PM10 emissions following activity-based estimation method to bring elaborated local air emission inventory and sustainable practices between marine infrastructure, technologies and port-city as a case study of Incheon, Republic of Korea. In consequence, certain amount of regional maritime PM10 emission around Port of Incheon was highlighted that 847 ton/year which would be more elaborate than the amount of fuel-based estimation method. Spatially distributed PM10 emission map in high-resolution (500m grid) was also available from activity-based estimation method which could be helpful to discover future implementations such as actual environmental impact assessment, policy making and mitigation technology development in a port-city. Therefore, the implications of this study would provide better perspectives and considerations on marine technology development, port-city management and environment improvement as guiding future works in various fields of ocean applications.