Global SO2 air pollution hotspots mapped

The Norilsk smelter complex in Russia continues to be the largest sulphur dioxide emission hotspot in the world.

Power plants and the industrial burning of coal and oil are responsible for two-thirds of the anthropogenic sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emission hotspots tracked by satellite data from US space agency NASA, according to a recent study by Greenpeace India. Oil refineries and metals smelters are the other major sources.

Emissions of SO₂ contribute to human death and disease from air pollution across the planet. The health impacts come from both direct exposure to SO₂ and from exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) that is formed when SO₂ reacts with other air pollutants to form tiny sulphate particles. SO₂ emissions also contribute to the acidification of soils and freshwater (with damage to ecosystems and biodiversity), and to the corrosion of materials and historic monuments.

In terms of individual hotspots, the Norilsk smelter complex in Russia continues to be the largest SO₂ emission hotspot in the world, with annual emissions of nearly two million tons.  Number two on the list is the Kriel area in Mpumalanga province in South Africa. There are 12 coal-fired power stations in Mpumalanga province, making the province the largest SO₂ hotspot in the world for emissions from power generation. The third biggest point source is a petrochemical complex in Zagroz in Iran. See Table.

Nornickel is the world’s leading nickel- and palladium-producing company. According to Reuters, the company is implementing a massive programme to improve the ecology of the city of Norilsk and its surroundings. The first stage of the programme has already been completed, and the second phase will involve a US$ 2.5 billion project to help to reduce SO₂ emissions in and around Norilsk by 75 per cent by 2023, from 2015 levels.

Looking at individual countries, India is the world’s top emitter of SO₂ from large point sources, having recently overtaken Russia and China, which now rank second and third, respectively. These are followed by Mexico, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Ukraine, the United States, Turkey and Kazakhstan.

Three European countries appear in the list of the twenty largest SO₂ point source emitters in the world: Ukraine, Serbia and Bulgaria. Coal-fired power plants are the main source of high SO₂ emissions in all three countries.

It is pointed out that Australia still lacks any legal provisions to limit or reduce SO₂ emissions from its power plants, whilst the US, China and EU have had such regulation in place for many years and are continuing to gradually strengthen their emissions standards.

Greenpeace concludes that the ranking of global SO₂ emission hotspots demonstrates the need for stronger emission standards for power plants and industry, and a rapid transition away from fossil fuels.

“The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas is the largest source of emissions of SO₂ resulting in disastrous air pollution and premature deaths. Clean energy could save billions of dollars in health costs and thousands of lives every year. It’s fundamental that governments rapidly transition away from fossil fuels and set stronger emission standards as they shift over to sustainable alternatives,” said Lauri Myllyvirta at Greenpeace Nordic.

The report is accompanied by an online interactive map and a database of the world’s biggest point sources of SO₂ pollution, which can both be accessed from the Greenpeace website (link below).

Christer Ågren

Sources: Greenpeace International and Reuters, 19 August 2019.
Link: https://www.greenpeace.org/international/press-release/23819/global-so2-...

Table. Top twelve global SO₂ emission hotspots in 2018