The Concentration of Black Carbon Emissions from Natural Gas Flaring Activities in Basra Province, Iraq

Abstract

Black carbon (BC), a byproduct of incomplete combustion, originates as from various sources. Emissions from flaring activities, that include both black carbon and particulate matter, pose significant health risks and contribute to climate change. This research focused on the evaluation of air pollution dispersion in Basra Province by monitoring BC emissions. Utilizing an aethalometer, BC concentrations were measured at several locations within Basra Province known for their oilfield abundance. These locations included six degassing stations—Tuba, Alluhais, Artawi, North Rumaila, Majnoon and Nahran Omar—and two power plants, Alnajebia and Shatt Albasra. Measurement also accounted for wind direction, air velocity, and wind speed. The study found that all sites, which conducted natural gas flaring, exhibited BC concentrations that surpassed the recommended exposure limit (REL). During winter, the average BC concentration measured was 5.66±1.49μg.m-3, with the lowest concentration of 3.7μg.m-3 at Majnoon oilfield and the highest at 7.85μg.m-3 at Artawi Degassing Station, approximately eight times above the REL. In contrast, the Spring showed an average BC concentration of 4.94±1.28μg.m-3, with the lowest at 3.3μg.m-3 at Majnoon oilfield and the highest at 7.05μg.m-3 at the Altuba Degassing Station, around seven times the REL. The study conclusively found that BC levels at all monitored sites exceeded the REL, highlighting the role of incomplete combustion in these elevated emissions and attributing the high BC levels to natural gas flaring in these industrial areas.