Modelled Nitrosamine and Nitramine concentrations in Lake Elvåga following amine-based CO2 Capture at FOV Waste Incineration Plant at Klemetsrud

Summary

Future levels of the carcinogenic- and potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines (NSAs) and nitramines (NAs), respectively, were modelled in the drinking water source, Lake Elvåga following the planned full-scale amine-based CO2 capture at the Oslo waste incineration plant. A high-resolution and dynamic catchment model (INCA-Contaminants) was combined with a lake model add-on. NSA and NA deposition rates (provided from COWI/Norsk Energi/CERC) were combined with site specific information (hydrology and climate), and literature values of NSA and NA bio- and photodegradation rates and physiochemical parameters. The three scenarios, “best”, “likely”, and “worst” cases were created to capture the uncertainty of key parameters. Three years of full-scale CO2 capture resulted in maximum annual average sums of NSAs and NAs in the lake water at 0.24, 3.3, and 4.4 ng L-1, for the three scenarios, respectively. For the NSAs, photodegradation was an efficient depletion pathway, nearly balancing out the input rates. Lake water levels of NAs increased with time due to the lack of an efficient depletion pathway. Seasonal variation was evident in both the NSA and NA concentrations and this should be considered for potential future monitoring programs.