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 Distribution of the emisions and modelled distribution of the concentrations of NOx at a typical site. |
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Rotterdam
Environmental Situation
Despite the very large industrial area smog is no longer a problem. Considering the emissions,
industry and utilities are still the major source but when looking at ambient concentrations,
traffic has become the major source. In general dispersion conditions are good with predominant
sea winds bringing relatively clean air into the area. In case of winds coming from the continent,
air pollution tends to rise (particularly PM).
NO2 and PM10 cause limit value exceedances. Ozone is rarely a problem. Concentrations above 180 ug/m3
occur but in many years 240 ug/m3 is not even reached for a single hour. NO2 is hovers around
the limit value for the year average with no downward trend. Seemingly rising background ozone
doesn’t help in bringing NO2 down, despite reductions in NOx emissions in the past decades.
Benzene, CO, Lead and SO2 don’t pose problems (anymore).
Air quality problems differ spatially: the ring road, the waterfront and many inner-city roads
do not meet the NO2 standards with traffic being the main problem. The private vehicle fleet,
especially on weekdays, is very modern but diesel makes-up a substantial part of the fleet.
Freight trucks, from all over Europe, are a major source, mainly on the ring road and the feeder
roads for the port-industrial area. On the waterfront ships add to an already high city background.
In all areas where NO2 is a problem, PM10 is a problem as well. In addition PM10 is a general problem
with background concentrations already exceeding the limit value for daily averages half of the
Rijnmond area. In the industrial areas nearest to the city PM and NO2 standards are exceeded further
west they are just below the limit values.
The graphs show the distribution of the emissions and the modelled distribution of the concentrations
of NOx at a typical site. The latter is obviously site depended as is shown by the east west
cross-section of the area showing modelled NOx concentration contributions.
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