In the bustling port city of Veracruz, Mexico, a silent invader has been seeping into the urban landscape, threatening both public health and industrial operations. This invader isn’t a creature or a criminal, but something far more insidious: fine particulate matter, or PM10, emitted from the wind-blown erosion of petroleum coke (petcoke) stored at the port. A recent study, published in the journal *Earth* (which translates to “Earth” in English), has shed light on the extent of this problem and its potential impacts on the energy sector.
The Port of Veracruz, the largest in the Gulf of Mexico, has seen a substantial increase in petcoke handling over the past decade. Xóchitl Citlalli Hernández-Silva, a researcher at the Tecnologico Nacional de Mexico/Instituto Tecnologico de Boca del Río, led a study that quantified the emissions and dispersion of PM10 from petcoke storage. “The port has handled approximately 7.4 million tons of petcoke between 2010 and 2023,” Hernández-Silva explained. “This has led to significant emissions of PM10, which can travel far beyond the port boundaries and affect urban areas.”
Using advanced geospatial analysis and environmental modeling tools like ALOHA®, the research team estimated that around 5,077 tons of PM10 were emitted and dispersed into the atmosphere during this period. The study found that in years with high port activity, such as 2014, PM10 concentrations exceeded the limits set by Mexican environmental standards, posing potential risks to public health and urban infrastructure.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. Petcoke is a vital fuel in the steel industry, but its handling and storage present challenges that need to be addressed. “This study provides critical evidence on the environmental impacts of coke handling in ports,” Hernández-Silva noted. “It suggests mitigation strategies, including processes for the confinement of materials and the implementation of advanced emissions monitoring systems.”
The findings could shape future developments in port management and petcoke handling practices. As the energy sector continues to evolve, the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly practices becomes increasingly important. This research highlights the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the environmental impacts of industrial activities, ensuring that economic growth does not come at the expense of public health and environmental sustainability.
In the words of Hernández-Silva, “The goal is to balance industrial activity with environmental protection, ensuring that ports like Veracruz can continue to thrive without compromising the well-being of their communities.” As the energy sector looks to the future, the lessons learned from this study could pave the way for more responsible and sustainable practices in petcoke handling and storage.