SO2 AND NOX EMISSIONS DUE TO FOSSIL-FUEL COMBUSTION IN SAUDI-ARABIA - A PRELIMINARY INVENTORY

Phenomenal economic growth during the last two decades, as a result of oil wealth, has led to a dramatic increase in the demand for fossil fuel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In this paper a preliminary inventory for sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NO(x) emitted into the atmosphere as a result of fossil fuel combustion by various economic sectors in KSA in the year 1986 is presented. Emissions are discussed in relation to major source categories (major fuel consuming economic sectors) and on the basis of type of fuel combusted. The data are also geographically disaggregated according to major economic and population centers in KSA in order to show the spatial distribution of emissions. Also, SO2 and NO(x) emission trends (1971-1990) were estimated from 1986 data and historical and projected fuel consumption figures.