The impact of diesel trains and inland ships on measured ultrafine particle and black carbon concentrations along railways and waterways

Background The impact of traffic diesel emissions on ultrafine particles and black carbon is well known. However the impact of other sources, such as inland ships and diesel trains is much less known. These sources may become more important when the contribution of traffic emissions will be significantly reduced by EEC regulations. Aims This study aims to measure the impact of diesel trains and inlands ships on ultrafine particle and black carbon concentrations near railways and waterways. Methods Particle Number Concentrations and Black Carbon were measured continuously in 1-second intervals with respectively a portable CPC meter and a portable Aethalometer. Measurements were conducted downwind on the shore or near railways in areas with low road traffic intensity. A field worker registered the time and type of passing ships and traffic. Ship emissions were measured at the Waal near Nijmegen and the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal near Utrecht. Diesel train emissions were measured near Arnhem and Zutphen. Mixed mo...