Single-Vessel Plume Dispersion Simulation: Method and a Case Study Using CALPUFF in the Yantian Port Area, Shenzhen (China)

To study the impact of vessel pollution on the atmospheric environment of the surrounding area, we present a numerical simulation method based on regional emissions inventories. The general spatial resolution is ≥1 km and the temporal resolution is ≥1 h; parameters which are suitable for the study of larger space–time scales. In this paper, the WRF/CALMET/CALPUFF model and Automatic Identification System (AIS) data are employed to develop a single-vessel atmospheric pollution diffusion model. The goal of this research uses existing meteorological models and diffusion models to provide a simulation technology method for studying the diffusion of SO(2) from a single ship. We take the outgoing phase of ocean-going container vessels in Yantian Port as an example. It can be used to set the position of sensitive receptors near the port area. Simulations are implemented with CALPUFF and the results are compared with data derived from on-site monitoring instrument. The CALPUFF modelling domain covers an area of 925 km(2) with a grid spacing of 500 m. The simulation results demonstrated agreement with the measured data. The ground concentration contribution value ranged from 10 to 10(2) μg/m(3), while the affected area was about 4–26 km(2) and the high-value area of the ground concentration contribution was distributed within 1–2 km from the ship track. Emissions generated by the vessels represent a considerable contribution to SO(2) pollution around the harbor areas.