Abstract

MENDOZA, Alberto  and  GRANIEL, Manuel. Exploratory evaluation of pollutants dispersion emitted from flares of the Campeche marine region. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2007, vol.23, n.3, pp.99-113. ISSN 0188-4999.

One of the main anthropogenic sources of pollutants emitted to the atmosphere in the Gulf of México are the oil extraction operations. In this study, we present the results of the dispersion modeling of air pollutants emitted from flares located in the offshore platforms of the Campeche marine region. The simulations were conducted using a comprehensive three-dimensional chemical-transport model capable of following the dynamics of air pollutants in the atmosphere. Six episodes from the period from November 2000 to August 2001 were analyzed: two from Fall of 2000, two from Winter of 2001, one from Spring of 2001 and finally one from Summer of 2001. Results indicate an important influence of the climate conditions of the Gulf in the transport and formation of pollutants in the region. The transport pattern follows, in general, the behavior of the synoptic winds, with variations associated with changes in local winds. The maximum concentrations did not exceed the limits established by the corresponding Mexican official norms, and it was observed a considerable degree of dilution of the emitted plumes with the corresponding weak influence on the coastal zones. In addition to the modeling of the base cases, the emissions inventory was scaled for one of the episodes to observe the effect of the reduction of emissions reported by PEMEX for 2005 due to a decrease in the amount of natural gas flared. The results indicate a reduction of 31 % for NO₂, 33 % for SO₂, 45 % for CO and 48 % for suspended particles, with respect to the maximum concentrations obtained in the base case, for this scenario in which the total emissions were reduced 68 %.

Keywords : mathematical modeling; air pollution; offshore platforms; air quality; Gulf of México.