NOx from ships in western Baltic Sea quantified

Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen contributes significantly to eutrophication, and accounts for about a third of the total input of nitrogen in the western Baltic Sea.

A recent study estimates that emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the shipping sector contribute up to 5 per cent of the total concentration of nitrogen in the sea, but with considerable geographic variation. The absolute contribution was found to be highest along the shoreline. However, the relative contribution was highest in offshore areas, which are less affected by riverine input of nutrients. For instance, in the centre of the Arkona Basin the share of dissolved inorganic nitrogen related to shipping could be as high as 10 to 15 per cent. The authors conclude that these offshore regions could also benefit most from reducing NOx pollution from ships.

Because the Baltic Sea was recently designated a Nitrogen oxides Emission Control Area (NECA) from 2021 onwards, new ships will have to fulfill stricter NOx emission standards. However, the overall effect is expected to be counteracted by increased shipping and the long lifetime of existing ships.

Apart from conclusions on nitrogen deposition related to shipping, the authors also conclude that future studies should focus on the relative role of other individual sectors as sources of atmospheric nitrogen.

The article: https://www.ocean-sci.net/16/115/2020/

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NOx from ships in western Baltic Sea quantified

In this issue

Air pollution from fossil fuels costs USD 8 billion a day

Editorial: Zero-pollution vision for air quality

Cement could be greener, but will it?

Climate tipping points in the boreal forest region

Transition to 100 percent renewable energy is cost efficient

LNG could worsen shipping’s climate impact

The Andes Meltdown

Dutch health gains from reduced air pollution

Renewable energy – technology choices matter for air quality

Air quality rules fit for purpose

In Breif

Smooth transition to global ship sulphur regulation

Scrubbers not allowed in California

More bans on open-loop scrubbers

Iceland creates 0.1% SECA

Greek lignite plant cancelled in major NGO court win

Clean air action linked to EU Green Deal

South Korea shuts a quarter of its coal plants over winter

South Korea opts for ship speed reduction and ECA

Threat to shut 14 coal-fired power plants in India

Beyond coal campaign retires 300th US coal plant

World’s largest real-time air quality databank

71% want tougher EU laws on air pollution

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Northern forests, climate change and the UNFCCC

EU climate targets aligned with the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C objective

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Collaborative-Learning project

Air pollution in Europe and children’s health

Climate Change: A Himalayan Odessey

No further discussion needed. The agreed global goal is to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C

Fossil-free electricity 2021

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