Influence of the motor transport emissions on the atmospheric air quality in the city of Almaty and ways of the problem’ solution

Almaty is the largest city in the Republic of Kazakhstan, population is almost 2,0 million persons. The atmospheric air pollution is the most important environmental problem in this city. The main sources of the atmospheric air pollution are: emissions of the motor transport, emissions of the heating power plants (HPP), which use the solid fuel, emissions of the other industrial enterprises as well as emissions of the heating devices used in the private sector. According to the design data, motor transport makes the main input into the formation of total amount of the emissions. At the same time, some experts and public representatives periodically doubt the priority significance of the motor transport emissions for formation of level of the atmospheric air pollution at the residential areas. Analysis of possible interconnection between the changes in the transport flow on Almaty roads and level of the atmospheric air pollution at the residential areas in the area of influence is conducted based on the data provided by the posts of the automatic continuous observations, which belong to LLP “ECOSERVICE-C”. Winter period of the year 2022 was selected for evaluation of level of the pollutants’ content in the atmospheric air. During this period heating power plants HPP-1 and HPP-2, as well as heating devices of the private sector were operated day-and-night under maximum load. It was found out that level of content of fine-dispersed particles РМ10 and РМ2,5, as well as NO2 and СО increases in the atmospheric air, when the intensity of the motor transport movement grows. The results of monitoring during the period of January 5th – 9th, 2022, when the transport movement was limited due to introduction of the curfew regime, is the sound argument, which gives the evidence on the motor transport role in the atmospheric air pollution. According to the expert evaluations, during this period only about 20-30 % of the available motor transport were operated. At the same time, heating power plants HPP-1, HPP-2 and HPP-3, boiler houses, heating devices of the private sector worked at full capacity. During this period, based on the data provided by the air monitoring stations, which belong to LLP “ECOSERVICE-C”, the abrupt reduction of all pollutants, measured in the air, was observed. The environmental assessment of effectiveness of the measures directed on reduction of the pollutants’ emissions in Almaty, was conducted. Withdrawal of the diesel motor transport from the city allows reduction of the emissions. Practically complete elimination of emissions of solid particles РМ10 and РМ2,5 is the main effect of the diesel motor cars’ prohibition. Use of the electric motor transport and compressed natural gas (CNG) will give the significant influence on the emissions’ reduction. Such measures are the most perspective as regards the motor transport. Limitation by days of access for the motor transport with even and odd numbers will give the largest qualitative effect in reduction of the pollutants emitted by the motor transport (by 55,5 %). Prohibition to manufacture the passenger cars with ecological class up to Euro 4 and their replacement by ecological classes Euro 5-6 will result in the emissions’ reduction by 40,9 %.