An observation-based analysis of the contribution of aviation emissions to local air quality near Schiphol airport

Master thesis (2021)

Authors

M. Blanke Aerospace Engineering

Contributors

I.C. Dedoussi Aircraft Noise and Climate Effects - Aerospace Engineering (supervisor 1)
M. Snellen Aircraft Noise and Climate Effects - Aerospace Engineering (supervisor 1)
P.C. Roling Air Transport & Operations - Aerospace Engineering (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
Copyright: © 2021 Mathieu Blanke
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Published Date

01-03-2021

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

As poor air quality poses a risk to human health, this study aims to estimate the impact of Schiphol airport on local concentrations of various air pollutants from January 2014 to August 2020. The pollutants of interest are nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulate matter. Three separate methods were applied: a comparison of air quality measurements from different locations, an analysis about the effect of wind on ambient concentrations and finally meteorology and road and air traffic activity-based regression modelling. Based on these methods it was estimated that the airport is responsible for between 24 to 31% of local concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. During the COVID-19 situation these effects decreased by ~ 4 - 5 µg/m3, which is 17 - 21% of the average concentrations measured in the years before. For the other pollutants the results were less robust and quantitative estimates include large uncertainties.