Cranfield scientists in joint project assessing impact from shipping

Cranfield University scientists have been awarded funding to assess the impact of emissions from shipping and cruises in the Arctic region.

The team will be formed by Cranfield University, University of Birmingham, University of Exeter and the British Antarctic Survey. The project will assess the impact of shipping emissions in the Arctic and North Atlantic on atmospheric conditions.

Global shipping is a contributor to aerosol pollution. Aerosol pollution is fine solid particles or tiny liquid droplets in the air.
These aerosols can have a cooling effect on the climate.

Professor Neil Harris, professor of Atmospheric Informatics at Cranfield University, said:

“The Arctic region is seeing an increase in shipping traffic both from tourist cruises and from trade routes. In order to protect this fragile ecosystem, we need to understand what effect the increased traffic is having on the atmosphere.

“Only by gaining this understanding can we put in place appropriate regulations and manage shipping effectively in the region.”

The funding for the project has been by provided by the Natural Environment Research Council.

Around £24 million has been split between 14 research projects. They span a wide range of topics generated by the UK environmental science community.