Onboard measurements of organic vapor emissions from river vessels under various operational conditions

The emission factors and characteristics of pollutants from river vessels are critical for understanding the environmental impact of ship emissions, particularly in inland waterways. However, research gaps remain regarding emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and intermediate-volatility organic compounds (IVOCs) from river vessels. In this study, we collected and analyzed organic vapor emissions, including non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHCs), oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) and IVOCs, from three river vessels under different operating conditions. The results show that the average emission factors of NMHCs, and IVOCs from river vessels are significantly higher than those from ocean-going vessels. Inland waterways’ proximity to residential areas increases the risk of pollutant transport to urban environments, heightening the importance of managing river vessel emissions. Notably, older auxiliary engines displayed higher organic vapor emissions compared to main engines, underscoring the need for better control measures for aging engines. By analyzing the emission characteristics of organic vapors from river vessels, it was found that, unlike other pollution sources where C12 n-alkanes are the major contributors of IVOCs, the contributions of C12-C15 n-alkanes in river vessel exhaust are similar, with C14 n-alkane having the highest contribution. OVOCs constituted more than 50% to ozone formation potentials of organic vapors, while IVOCs were responsible for over 90% of the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. Given these findings, targeted efforts to reduce OVOCs and IVOCs emissions from river vessels should prioritized to mitigate their environmental impact. [Display omitted] •NMHC and IVOC emission factors from river vessels exceed those from ocean vessels.•River vessels emit a higher proportion of low-volatility IVOCs among IVOC emission sources.•OVOCs and IVOCs are major contributors to O3 and SOA formation, respectively, in organic vapors from river vessels.