The contribution of sulphur dioxide emissions from ships to coastal acidification

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Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the contribution of shipping to acidification in regions bordering the English Channel and the North Sea. This work was prompted by concerns that as reductions in land based emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2) in Europe were agreed and implemented, emissions from shipping, which burn high sulphur marine (bunker) fuel, would represent a significant proportion of the residual acidification. Consequently a detailed investigation was required with a fine spatial resolution of the contribution to sulphur deposition in regions close to major shipping activities. Modelling studies were therefore undertaken to estimate the deposition and air concentration in coastal regions and ports, using a detailed sulphur emission inventory compiled for shipping in this area. The calculations showed that for SE England the average contribution to coastal deposition from shipping compared to that from national and international land based emission sources was approximately 6%. Although shipping did contribute to the total sulphur burden, when considered on its own snipping did not exceed the critical loads of any UK coastal region. However, in some areas with sensitive ecosystems and close to certain ports, the sulphur deposition from shipping contributed to greater than 55% of the critical loads. In addition, calculations showed that for the busiest ports in the study area the annual average air concentration close to the source could be as high 170 |ig(SO2).m−3 which exceeds the recommended limits of 40–60 u.g(S02).m∼3 specified by the World Health Organisation (WHO)[1].

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