Port of Southampton measures air quality

Port of Southampton has set up monitoring stations to measure air quality, aiming to gain a clear picture of emissions at the port, according to local media.

As it was previously reported, a BBC investigation in March revealed that Southampton is one of the 10 cities in UK that fail to meet European thresholds for air quality. The port’s contribution specifically to air quality, including ship emissions, is seven per cent, according to data provided by the City Council.

To address the problem, Sue Simmonite, port’s environment manager, has set up NO2 and NOX diffusion tubes across the port. Two fixed and one roving monitoring stations are also planned to be established by the end of July, in order to measure Nitric Oxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, PM10 and PM2.5.

Mrs Simmonite said that the evidence collected are expected to allow further improvement in the city’s air quality and informed that other initiatives currently pursued include the introduction of a fleet of new electric vehicles and cycle paths within the port.

Director Alastair Welch has stated that the port is investing in environmentally sound initiatives because it makes sense for the future of the port.

For reducing carbon emissions, the port has also invested in solar power by installing energy saving panels on its facility. So far solar energy has offset 935 tonnes of carbon, the equivalent of planting 24,000 trees, the Port estimated.

The port said that is always in search of such initiatives focusing on reducing its carbon footprint.