An operative tool for land management policy in complex terrain coastal environments with mixed-sources air pollution

A study of SOx and NOx emissions from the Esino watershed in Ancona, Italy was carried out, and a corresponding database was developed based on the obtained information. The area included the city of Ancona, a refinery on the estuary of the Esino River, several factories and craftmanships on the flat bottom, and some main roads. The general framework concerning natural pollutant sources included industrial- and combustion-related activities, petroleum refinery, building heating, traffic, transport, and activities without contact of material with flame. A product-based formula and a fuel-based expression were used to determine industrial SOx and NOx emissions. With regards to SOx, there was good agreement between the emission evaluation used; with the refinery being the major source, followed by industrial combustion and products. Traffic and transport represented only minor contribution to SOx pollutant. There were large differences between the methods tested when considering NOx, which were ascribed to traffic sources. Traffic and transports were the main source of NOx pollution and represented a source of mass emission at least of the same level of importance with SOx emission from petrol refinery. Building heating played a minor role in both cases. The methodology could be a useful tool in generating a quick scenario of pollutant emissions in the country, which is facing problems concerning energy needs and environmental protection.