The growing contribution of sulfur emissions from ships in Asian waters, 1988-1995.
International shipping is a major source of sulfur emissions in Asia. Because the fuel oil used by ships is high in sulfur, the resulting emissions of SO{sub 2}2 are large and contribute as much as 20% to the atmospheric loading in the vicinity of ports and heavily traveled waterways. Because of the rapid growth of Asian economies in the 1980s and early 1990s, it is estimated that shipping trade grew by an average of 5.4% per year between 1988 and 1995; in particular, crude oil shipments to Asian countries other than Japan grew by an average of 11.4% per year. The emissions of SO{sub 2} from shipping are estimated to have grown by 5.9% per year between 1988 and 1995, rising from 545 Gg in 1988 to 817 Gg in 1995. This study uses the ATMOS atmospheric transport and deposition model to study the effects of these emissions, both in absolute terms and relative to land-based emissions, on wet and dry deposition of sulfur. Southeast Asia is most heavily affected by emissions from ships, particularly Sumatra, peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore, which routinely receive in excess of 10% of their deposition from ships. A strong seasonal component is also observed, with large areas of Southeast Asia and coastal Japan receiving sulfur deposition that exceeds 10 mg S m{sup -2} season{sup -1}. Deposition is at least 25% higher in summer and fall than in winter and spring. Peak values of 25-50 mg S m{sup -2} season{sup -1} are calculated for winter in the Strait of Malacca. This work suggests a need to introduce policies to reduce the sulfur content of marine fuels or otherwise reduce emissions of SO{sub 2} from ships in Asian waters.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- FE; FOR
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 942754
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/DIS/JA-34267; AENVEQ; TRN: US200922%%652
- Journal Information:
- Atmos. Environ., Vol. 34, Issue 2000; ISSN 1352-2310
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- ENGLISH
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