(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Oil and gas, road transport and industrial sectors have been found to be the top sources of air pollution in Abu Dhabi, the first comprehensive emissions geodatabase for the emirate has revealed.
The findings of the Abu Dhabi Air Emissions Inventory, which are crucial in regulating air quality in the Capital, were released on Wednesday by The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD).
Among the major sources of man-made emissions covered in the report were electricity generation, water desalination, oil and gas, road transport, industry, shipping, aviation, agriculture, livestock and emissions found at petrol stations.
The study has analysed levels and sources of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs).
Of the sources evaluated, oil and gas, road transport and industrial sectors emerged as the biggest emission contributors in Abu Dhabi, but with varying intensities across the emirate.
Emissions of NOX, CO, PM10 and PM2.5 were highest in areas with heavy road traffic and at industrial sites such as Musaffah Industrial Area and the Khalifa Industrial Zone. The largest amount of SO2 and NMVOC emissions are located in areas where offshore and onshore oil and gas activities are concentrated, including Al Dhafra and near the ports.
Baseline for strategies
The geodatabase report will set the foundation for air-quality modelling and the baseline for future strategies. It will also help substantiate the Capital's reduction targets and support evidence-based policy and decision-making.
"Air pollution is one of the main threats to public health, and coordinated cross-sector collaboration is required to mitigate the impacts of man-made emissions that impact air quality in Abu Dhabi, as well as to achieve the air quality national target of 90 per cent by 2021," said Sheikha Al Hosani, executive director of the environmental quality sector at the EAD.
"The results of this air emissions inventory have laid a solid groundwork for us to pursue targeted mitigation measures in cooperation with our public and private sector partners, which in turn will improve the environment and the lives of people living in Abu Dhabi's rural and urban areas."
For the first time, the agency was able to identify the location and intensity of each man-made emission source in Abu Dhabi with over 50 high-definition 'air emission maps' generated through the findings of the study.
This information is key to quantifying the exposure of residents and natural ecosystems to air pollution, paving the way for appropriate mitigation measures.
The Abu Dhabi Air Emissions Inventory was produced by the EAD in collaboration with over 90 local industrial entities and government bodies, including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi, Department of Transport, Department of Economic Development, Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities, Department of Energy, Adnoc and Abu Dhabi Ports.
The EAD also operates an extensive air-quality monitoring network in Abu Dhabi, which consists of 20 fixed and two mobile stations that feed information to the central system by the minute.
KT NANO EDIT
Addressing concerns
The comprehensive findings of the EAD is the first step in identifying the reasons behind air pollution in the Capital, and now efforts should be made to address the concerns raised. In fact, the agency should consider expanding the scope of the study to all the emirates and then introduce programmes and initiatives to improve the quality of air for all. If we can measure it, we can improve it.
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