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Sulphur dioxide SO2 emissions (APE 001) - Assessment published Dec 2011
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EEA-32 emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) have decreased by 76% between 1990 and 2009. In 2009, the most significant sectoral source of SO X emissions was Energy production and distribution (70%), followed by emissions occurring from Energy use in industry (13%) and in the Commercial, institutional and households (9%) sector. The reduction in emissions since 1990 has been achieved as a result of a combination of measures, including fuel-switching in energy-related sectors away from high sulphur-containing solid and liquid fuels to low sulphur fuels such as natural gas, the fitting of flue gas desulphurisation abatement technology in industrial facilities and the impact of European Union directives relating to the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels. All of the EU-27 Member States have already reduced their national SO X emissions below the level of the 2010 emission ceilings set in the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD). Emissions in 2009 for the three non-EU countries having emission ceilings set under the UNECE/CLRTAP Gothenburg protocol (Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) were also below the level of the respective 2010 ceilings. Environmental context: Sulphur dioxide is emitted when fuels containing sulphur are combusted. It is a pollutant which contributes to acid deposition which in turn can lead to potential changes occurring in soil and water quality. The subsequent impacts of acid deposition can be significant, including adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems in rivers and lakes and damage to forests, crops and other vegetation. SO X emissions also contribute as a secondary particulate pollutant to formation of particulate matter in the atmosphere, an important air pollutant in terms of its adverse impact on human health.
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Sulphur dioxide SO2 emissions
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Sulphur dioxide SO2 emissions (APE 001) - Assessment published Dec 2012
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EEA-32 emissions of sulphur oxides (SO X ) have decreased by 75% between 1990 and 2010. In 2010, the most significant sectoral source of SO X emissions was 'Energy production and distribution' (57% of total emissions), followed by emissions occurring from 'Energy use in industry' (21%) and in the 'Commercial, institutional and households' (14%) sector.
The reduction in emissions since 1990 has been achieved as a result of a combination of measures, including fuel-switching in energy-related sectors away from high-sulphur solid and liquid fuels to low-sulphur fuels such as natural gas, the fitting of flue gas desulphurisation abatement technology in industrial facilities and the impact of European Union directives relating to the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels.
All of the EU-27 Member States have reduced their national SO X emissions below the level of the 2010 emission ceilings set in the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) [1] . Emissions in 2010 for the three non-EU countries having emission ceilings set under the UNECE/CLRTAP Gothenburg protocol (Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) were also below the level of their respective 2010 ceilings.
Environmental context: Sulphur dioxide is emitted when fuels containing sulphur are combusted. It is a pollutant which contributes to acid deposition which in turn can lead to changes occurring in soil and water quality. The subsequent impacts of acid deposition can be significant, including adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems in rivers and lakes and damage to forests, crops and other vegetation. SO 2 emissions also aggravate asthma conditions and can reduce lung function and inflame the respiratory tract, and contribute as a secondary particulate pollutant to formation of particulate matter in the atmosphere, an important air pollutant in terms of its adverse impact on human health. Further, the formation of sulphate particles in the atmosphere after its release results in reflection of solar radiation, which leads to net cooling of the atmosphere.
[1] Emissions data reported by EU member states under NECD is used for comparison with NECD ceilings, and data reported under CLRTAP is used for all other calculations unless otherwise stated.
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Sulphur dioxide SO2 emissions
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The estimated effect (for EU-25) of introduction of the Large Combustion Plant Directive on the emission of SO2
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Total SO2 emissions by mode, including shipping and aviation (for all EEA members except Cyprus)
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The figure shows the total emission of sulphur by transport in the EEA area
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Trend in average annual SO2 concentrations (2001–2010) per station type
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All stations in EU Member States, with at least 75 % data coverage for at least eight years were included in the analysis. Concentrations per station type are given in μg/m3. In the diagram a geographical bias exists towards central Europe where there is a higher density of stations.
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Zone exceedances of the daily SO2 limit value, 2005
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Zone exceedances of the daily SO2 limit value, 2005, reported under Annual report (questionnaire) on air quality assessment and management (2004/461/EC).
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Zone exceedances of the hourly SO2 limit value for vegetation, 2005
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Zone exceedances of the winter season SO2 limit value for ecosystems, 2005, reported under Annual report (questionnaire) on air quality assessment and management (2004/461/EC).
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Zone exceedances of the hourly SO2 limit value, 2005
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Zone exceedances of the hourly SO2 health limit value, 2005, reported under Annual report (questionnaire) on air quality assessment and management (2004/461/EC).
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Zone exceedances of the yearly SO2 limit value for vegetation, 2005
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Zone exceedances of the annual SO2 limit value for ecosystems, 2005, reported under Annual report (questionnaire) on air quality assessment and management (2004/461/EC).
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