AIR-POLLUTANTS EMISSIONS ESTIMATE FROM MARITIME TRAFFIC IN THE ITALIAN HARBORS OF VENICE AND PIOMBINO

The paper originates from the realization of local air pollutants emis sions inventories and introduces a methodology to estimate air polluta nts emissions from maritime traffic in harbours. It is based upon the knowledge of local maritime traffic features and of some specific para meters of the ships involved, like specific fuel consumption and gross tonnage. In this way it is possible to calculate ships' fuel consumpt ion and, consequently, air pollutants emissions inside the harbour for each of the two main phases which characterize ships activity inside it: manoeuvres and berthing. This methodology is applied to the harbou rs of Piombino and Venice. Results show the large differences between emissions inside each harbour and the major role in determining emissi ons played by the kind of maritime traffic inside the harbour rather t han the number of ships going in and out. This conclusion is also supp orted by matching our results with similar ones arising from applicati ons in other countries. Moreover, the results outline the non-secondar y role played by each of the two harbours on local basis, and the nece ssity to dedicate them the same attention required by the main local i ndustrial sources, especially regarding Venice harbour because of its potential impact on lagoon environment.