Assessing the environmental impact of offshore flares in the Persian Gulf: A comprehensive analysis of SO2 emissions
Flares are recognized as significant environmental risks that impact ecosystems. This research aims to analyze the impact of flares on ecosystem pollution and human health in the Persian Gulf. Specifically, it focused on modeling sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from an offshore flare at the South Par...
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Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Advances in Environmental Technology |
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| Online Access: | https://aet.irost.ir/article_1480_3715d038ff7f26c5b383405f688378cc.pdf |
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| author | Mohammad Mardani Mohsen Nowrouzi Hajar Abyar |
| author_facet | Mohammad Mardani Mohsen Nowrouzi Hajar Abyar |
| author_sort | Mohammad Mardani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Flares are recognized as significant environmental risks that impact ecosystems. This research aims to analyze the impact of flares on ecosystem pollution and human health in the Persian Gulf. Specifically, it focused on modeling sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from an offshore flare at the South Pars gas platform using AERMOD software for accurate analysis. For this purpose, the amount of SO2 gas emissions in the first six months of 2022 was obtained based on field measurements. Subsequently, the distribution of these pollutants was investigated using the AERMOD distribution model in an area of 10 x10 km2 in both the X and Y directions, considering time averages of 1, 3, and 24 hours. To assess the accuracy of the model's outputs, these values were compared with the results of field measurements at six separate receptors. The findings revealed that the maximum concentration of SO2 emissions during a 1-hour period was 1.73 µg/m³, primarily localized in the vicinity of the flare. The AERMOD software confirmed the significant influence of wind direction on SO2 emissions, with pollution dispersing up to 4.5 km from the emission center in the northwest to east direction within the first hour. Importantly, the investigation demonstrated that the pollutant emission levels from the flare remained well below the standards established by Iranian and American environmental organizations. Consequently, the activity of the studied flare poses no immediate danger to workers, residents, or ecosystems in the Persian Gulf. Statistical analysis illustrated a significant correlation between the model and field results (r = 0.943, Sig. = 99%), indicating the accuracy and robustness of the used model for estimation. In conclusion, the results provide a comprehensive framework for assessing air pollution stemming from flares to mitigate their deleterious effects on ecosystems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4c5f901f4d904576a67b1323fa092f4a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2476-6674 2476-4779 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Advances in Environmental Technology |
| spelling | doaj-art-4c5f901f4d904576a67b1323fa092f4a2025-08-20T02:50:48ZengIranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST)Advances in Environmental Technology2476-66742476-47792025-01-01111637410.22104/aet.2024.6494.17811480Assessing the environmental impact of offshore flares in the Persian Gulf: A comprehensive analysis of SO2 emissionsMohammad Mardani0Mohsen Nowrouzi1Hajar Abyar2Department of Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Nano and Bio Science and Technology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr 75169-13798, IranDepartment of Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Nano and Bio Science and Technology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr 75169-13798, IranDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan 49189-43464, IranFlares are recognized as significant environmental risks that impact ecosystems. This research aims to analyze the impact of flares on ecosystem pollution and human health in the Persian Gulf. Specifically, it focused on modeling sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from an offshore flare at the South Pars gas platform using AERMOD software for accurate analysis. For this purpose, the amount of SO2 gas emissions in the first six months of 2022 was obtained based on field measurements. Subsequently, the distribution of these pollutants was investigated using the AERMOD distribution model in an area of 10 x10 km2 in both the X and Y directions, considering time averages of 1, 3, and 24 hours. To assess the accuracy of the model's outputs, these values were compared with the results of field measurements at six separate receptors. The findings revealed that the maximum concentration of SO2 emissions during a 1-hour period was 1.73 µg/m³, primarily localized in the vicinity of the flare. The AERMOD software confirmed the significant influence of wind direction on SO2 emissions, with pollution dispersing up to 4.5 km from the emission center in the northwest to east direction within the first hour. Importantly, the investigation demonstrated that the pollutant emission levels from the flare remained well below the standards established by Iranian and American environmental organizations. Consequently, the activity of the studied flare poses no immediate danger to workers, residents, or ecosystems in the Persian Gulf. Statistical analysis illustrated a significant correlation between the model and field results (r = 0.943, Sig. = 99%), indicating the accuracy and robustness of the used model for estimation. In conclusion, the results provide a comprehensive framework for assessing air pollution stemming from flares to mitigate their deleterious effects on ecosystems.https://aet.irost.ir/article_1480_3715d038ff7f26c5b383405f688378cc.pdfpersian gulfflareaermodso2 emission modeling |
| spellingShingle | Mohammad Mardani Mohsen Nowrouzi Hajar Abyar Assessing the environmental impact of offshore flares in the Persian Gulf: A comprehensive analysis of SO2 emissions Advances in Environmental Technology persian gulf flare aermod so2 emission modeling |
| title | Assessing the environmental impact of offshore flares in the Persian Gulf: A comprehensive analysis of SO2 emissions |
| title_full | Assessing the environmental impact of offshore flares in the Persian Gulf: A comprehensive analysis of SO2 emissions |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the environmental impact of offshore flares in the Persian Gulf: A comprehensive analysis of SO2 emissions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the environmental impact of offshore flares in the Persian Gulf: A comprehensive analysis of SO2 emissions |
| title_short | Assessing the environmental impact of offshore flares in the Persian Gulf: A comprehensive analysis of SO2 emissions |
| title_sort | assessing the environmental impact of offshore flares in the persian gulf a comprehensive analysis of so2 emissions |
| topic | persian gulf flare aermod so2 emission modeling |
| url | https://aet.irost.ir/article_1480_3715d038ff7f26c5b383405f688378cc.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mohammadmardani assessingtheenvironmentalimpactofoffshoreflaresinthepersiangulfacomprehensiveanalysisofso2emissions AT mohsennowrouzi assessingtheenvironmentalimpactofoffshoreflaresinthepersiangulfacomprehensiveanalysisofso2emissions AT hajarabyar assessingtheenvironmentalimpactofoffshoreflaresinthepersiangulfacomprehensiveanalysisofso2emissions |