The impact of inland ships and recreational boats on measured NOx and ultrafine particle concentrations along the waterways

In Amsterdam, many inhabitants reside in proximity to inland waters. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of passing inland ships and recreational boats, including touring boats, on the air quality near houses close to the water. A measurement campaign was performed at five sites in Amsterdam. Two sites were located along the inland waterways used by cargo ships and recreational boats. The other three sites were located along the canals in the historical city centre, used by touring boats and private recreational boats. At each site, measurements were performed at the waterside and at the facade of houses.Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) and ultrafine particles (particle number (PN) concentration), were measured continuously during one afternoon per site, while time and type of passing ships and road traffic was registered. Linear regression analysis was used to analyze the association between passing ships and concentration, adjusted for passing road traffic.There was substantial variation in the impact of passing ships on concentrations at each measuring site, as well as between sites. On average, cargo ships contributed 5 and 4 μg m−3 to NO and NO2, respectively, and 3000 particles cm−3 to PN concentration near houses during the sampling period. Peak concentrations were occasionally substantially higher. Emissions from touring boats had a small but significant impact on NO concentration near houses but not on NO2, with the exception of one site located near the edge of two canals, where boats use extra power to travel around the bent. At this site, touring boats contributed 5 μg m−3 to the local NO2 concentration. No consistent impact of touring boats on PN concentration was observed. Emissions from private recreational boats were not consistently associated with increased NOx or PN concentration.Road traffic intensity was low at the selected measurement sites. Nevertheless, a significant impact of passing diesel-operated delivery vans on house adjacent concentrations of both NOx and PN concentrations was found. On average, mopeds had a small but significant impact on PN concentration by 1100 particles cm−3In conclusion, this study provides evidence that ship exhausts has an impact on air quality near houses along waterways.

► Inland waterways are a source of air pollution.
► NOx and ultrafine particles were measured continuously at 5 sites along waterways.
► Impact of passing inland ships was calculated.
► Cargo ships have a clear impact on air quality near waterways.