The characterisation of particulate pollution in an airport environment: Manchester international airport, UK, a case study

Jones, Susan Jane (2017) The characterisation of particulate pollution in an airport environment: Manchester international airport, UK, a case study. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

During the last fifty years there has been a significant increase in global air travel. This growth coupled with a better understanding of aircraft emission characteristics and their potential impact on health and the environment has become a cause of concern. Particulate matter (PM) is a major component of these emissions. However, PM emissions within the airport environment may originate from a range of sources. Studies relating to the identification of individual airport PM sources is limited and is now recognised as a research need for the aviation industry. The main aim of this research was to identify characteristic ‘fingerprints’ of primary particulates derived from key sources in an airport environment. This was undertaken using multiple methods incorporating magnetic measurements, geochemical analysis, SEM/EDX and ESR. The resulting ‘fingerprints’ have been used to investigate the characteristics and spatial distribution of particulates deposited within the ‘airside’ environment at Manchester International Airport, UK (MAN). PM dust samples collected from aircraft engine, brake and tyre sources display differing magnetic, chemical, morphological and ESR characteristics enabling them to be used as distinctive aircraft source ‘fingerprints’. These sources were used to assist in the interpretation of the origin of PM material within the ‘airside’ environment. PM from grasses, surface soils, runways, taxiways, apron and adjacent areas were sampled. PM from different runway surface zones (e.g. take-off and landing) show contrasting characteristics which can be related to aircraft PM sources and are suggestive of distinctive emissions from the take-off and landing cycle. Samples collected from the runway take-off zone suggest an accumulation of particulates associated with aircraft emissions. Conversely, samples collected from the landing zone are more consistent with brake and tyre dust sources. Grasses and soils were found to be less suited as sinks for the determination of PM pollution. Samples collected from the taxiway and apron areas are indicative of mixed inputs. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of a multiple analytical approach for monitoring PM in the ‘airside’ airport environment.