WASHINGTON: Monitoring of air quality is underway at the Port of Southampton in a bid to gain a clear picture of emissions at the port. Southampton is one of 10 UK cities that is failing to meet European thresholds for air quality. The cause is widely reported to be the impact of diesel emissions from vehicles.
The port’s ‘direct’ contribution to air quality (including vessel emissions) is cited by the City Council as seven per cent. HGVs, some of which will serve the port, are separately listed as contributing 34.1 per cent. Environment Manager Sue Simmonite (pictured) has set up NO2 and NOX diffusion tubes across the port and by the end of July two fixed and one roving monitoring stations will be established to measure Nitric Oxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, PM10 and PM2.5. In addition to gathering data in real time about emissions, the monitoring stations, which are powered by solar technology, will be able to monitor noise. Sue said: “The evidence we gather through monitoring emissions at the port will allow us to further improve air quality in Southampton. “Other initiatives we are actively pursuing include the introduction of a fleet of new electric vehicles and cycle paths within the port.”
