WATER / WASTEWATER 19
iNoses employ multiple sensors to measure up to 30 parameters including volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and NO2
. As low-cost monitors, they can be deployed at multiple locations and the port is currently expanding the network from 50 to 80 stations. “The instruments do not provide absolute measurements, but they are able to detect changes and trends in air quality,” Laura explains.
A further advantage of multiple monitoring points is that it provides the port with the ability to identify pollution hot-spots and/or air quality deviations that take place at a specific time or when specific activities take place. It is anticipated, therefore, that the iNose network will be further developed so that it can become an early warning system; helping the port to enforce air quality regulations.
Air Quality
Funding from Port of Antwerp, the municipality of Beveren and VMM has facilitated the creation of a network of twenty air quality monitoring stations that are located around the port. Data from these stations are summarised by VMM in an annual report, the most recent of which made the following conclusions:
• Since 2000, there has been a downward trend for the pollutants sulphur dioxide (SO2
), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ),
PM2.5 particulate matter and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC).
• Since 2009, there has been a downward trend for PM10 particulate matter and black carbon.
• Since 2015, the downward trend has not been continued for SO2
, NO2 , PM2.5 and NMVOC. • The annual mean ozone (O3 ) concentration shows a slightly
upward trend. The information threshold for ozone was exceeded 11 times in 2019, but the alert threshold and the European target value were respected.
Summarising, Laura Verlaeckt says: “Air quality improved significantly between 2000 and 2015, but since then most of the main parameters have remained at approximately the same level.
“Currently the air quality parameter of greatest concern is NO2 because it is one of the major causes of premature deaths in
EU countries (54,000 in 2018). While the concentrations at all measurement locations were below the European limit values and the WHO guideline value, the measured values in the port were 20% higher than the Flemish average.
“Our work has shown that in 2018 35% of the NO2 shipping.” The data on NO2 sources provides an insight into the port’s
environmental strategy, in that environmental contaminants rarely originate from a single source, so collaborative efforts are usually required. This desire to work with partners is a common feature
was derived
from industry, 23% from the energy sector and 34% from traffic. Also, 30% of the traffic NO2
sources were derived from
among all of the port’s environmental/ sustainability projects, and reflects the port’s multifunctional stats as a regulator, operator, landlord and community builder. One such initiative with Railport and Infrabel is seeking to double the proportion of goods transported by rail via the port by 2030.
“This will reduce the release of traffic-related pollution whilst also helping in the fight against climate change,” Laura explains. “A freight train takes an average of 50 trucks off the road. It also emits 9 times less CO2
, causes 8 times less air pollution, is 6 times more energy efficient and reduces road congestion.”
The Port of Antwerp is a participant in the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), which is an environmental initiative designed to incentivise ships to improve air emissions beyond those required by the current International Maritime Organisation standards. The ESI evaluates the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx (SOx
), sulphur oxides
) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) released by a ship to derive the ‘ESI Score’. The Port of Antwerp provides a financial incentive to ships with discounts on the tonnage dues granted for each call that the ship makes. A sliding scale of discounts (up to 15%) is available depending on the ship’s ESI score.
Water Quality
Over the last 20 years, water quality at the Port of Antwerp has improved considerably, with ‘good’ status achieved in comparison with the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for the priority substances listed under the WFD, except for four substances: TBT, dissolved arsenic, dissolved boron and dissolved uranium.
Tributyltin (TBT) was employed for several decades as a biocide in anti-fouling paint, applied to the hulls of ocean going vessels to improve ship performance and durability. However, TBT slowly leaches into the marine environment where it is highly toxic. In 2008 organotin compounds such as TBT were banned under the Rotterdam Convention and by the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships of the International Maritime Organisation. Nevertheless, TBT remains a common problem in the water and sediments of ports, due partly to its affinity to suspended solids, which results in higher concentrations in sediments.
In 2020, the Flemish government, Port of Antwerp and contractor SeReAnt began dredging and processing the most TBT polluted sludge at the port. “We worked with the University of Antwerp for several years, seeking the best way to remove TBT from the port,” explains Jacques Vandermeiren, Port of Antwerp’s CEO. “We are proud that we can finally tackle this historical pollution, which made us the first port in the world to not only remove polluted sludge, but also process it in a sustainable manner.”
As a port, Antwerp faces a number of historical pollution challenges, but as Agnes Heylen, Technical Manager for Environment, explains: “Our monitoring programmes have helped to highlight the key issues and enabled us to focus on them. For example, we have noticed a gradual increase in water conductivity (dissolved salts) measurements since about 2015.
Targeted placement of cages
“Recent increases in conductivity have been attributed to climate change which is reducing freshwater levels in the canals and rivers, and to increased industrial freshwater demand for cooling. This presents a threat to the ecology of the port so we plan to install continuous water quality monitors to measure conductivity and other important parameters. In addition, modelling is being developed, to better understand the causes and to be able to define the best options for action.
As a regulator, the Port of Antwerp is responsible for: • Enforcing regulations on underwater cleaning • The ban on discharges from emission scrubbers • The ban on ballast water discharge • Offering advice on discharge conditions • Port-specific harbourmaster regulation
As the landlord/operator, the Port of Antwerp provides: • Environmental monitoring • Dock cleaning and remediation • Removal of TBT from sediments • Inland shipping waste parks • Dock litter removal • Plastic removal
• Litter collection by volunteers • Oil spill response plan • Remediation of historic landfill • Habitat improvement
Working in conjunction with the University of Antwerp, biologists at the port are looking for ways to improve biodiversity, and a variety of measures have been implemented to create underwater habitats. Alongside these measures, divers installed cages at various locations within the port, so that upon retrieval, it will be possible to assess the populations of macroinvertebrates such as shrimp, worms and snails.
Summary
A study of the environmental performance of the Port of Antwerp reveals four striking features of this forward-looking organisation.
1. It’s big. The Port of Antwerp obviously recognises the vitally important role that it plays in the Belgian and global economies.
2. The environmental projects underway in Antwerp are too numerous to mention in an article of this nature, but it is clear that both the city of Antwerp and its port are determined to fulfil their environmental responsibilities, and to use their sustainability credentials as a competitive advantage.
3. Innovation and collaboration are common features of almost all of the port’s environmental initiatives.
4. Testing and monitoring are driving the port’s environmental work; helping to identify problems and measuring the success of solutions.
Fort Filips decontamination 2020
Author Contact Details
Graham Meller, Buttonwood Marketing Ltd • Buttonwood House, Main Rd, Shutlanger, Towcester, Northants NN12 7RU, UK • Tel: +44 (0)1604 862 404 • Email:
gmeller@buttonwoodmarketing.com •
www.buttonwoodmarketing.com
WWW.ENVIROTECH-ONLINE.COM IET NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021
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