From the aluminum plant

The direct impacts from the running phase of the aluminum smelter primarily concern chemical compounds. The largest emission is of gas from the pots. The pots are therefore completely closed and the smoke is lead through a pipe to a gas treatment center where especially fluoride and sulfur compounds are extracted as much as possible from the smoke and recycled in the process of production.

The picture shows the Alcoa Fjardaál aluminum smelter in eastern Iceland. On the left is the harbor and on the right the aluminum smelter. Between the two smelting blocks you can see the gas treatment center (yellow pipes and tall smokestack). (Photo: Alcoa Fjardaál)

To be able to control the efficiency of the smoke cleaning the air quality in the surroundings of the aluminum smelter is measured continuously. This picture shows an air measurement station at the Fjardaál aluminum smelter of which there are several around the smelter. (Photo: Alcoa Fjardaál)

There will also be assessments of the vegetation surrounding the aluminum smelter. These assessments can be used in the establishment of emission limits for compounds as for instance fluoride. The level of the emissions must be low enough so that the emissions from the smelter do not have negative effects on the surroundings.

To assess possible effects on the ocean it is helpful to know of the populations of fish and the general biodiversity of the oceans. As a part of the EIA the biodiversity around the aluminum smelter will be assessed. The population of char and living habits of the population will also be assessed alongside consulting with local fishermen. 

Besides chemical compounds that might impact the environment there might be physical impacts as well. 

Noise is a physical environmental impact. The assessments for the EIA include a characteristic of the noise environment around the smelter site. Another physical impact is the visual change that happens when building an aluminum smelter. By this meaning how the change in the looks of the area might affect the environment. This has to be assessed for each part of the project, the smelter, the harbor, the transmission lines from power station to smelter and the hydroelectric power stations. 

Besides the effects of the smelter on nature and wildlife the health of the population will also be assessed. This will cover health in regards to the smelter itself but also the project as a whole where possible indirect effects will be included. This also concerns how the livelihoods of the population may change and how this will affect the health in a positive or negative direction.