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In 2009, the Port of Long Beach, Calif., improved air quality for the third-straight year, with some pollutant emissions declining up to or more than 50 percent, according to an emissions inventory report released Monday.

Diesel particulate matter emissions fell 52 percent, sulfur oxide emissions dropped 46 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions decreased 35 percent compared with 2008 levels.

Some of the air quality improvements can be attributed to a recession-related drop in cargo volume last year, but emission declines far outpaced the trade decrease, port officials said in a prepared statement.

“Our air quality programs are expanding and delivering better results each year, [with] trucks, trains and ships running cleaner than ever before,” said Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Nick Sramek.

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are striving to cut various emissions each year via operational efficiencies and technological advancements that address every source of air pollution, including ships, trains, trucks, cranes, port terminal equipment and tugboats. The ports plan to reduce diesel particulate matter emissions 72 percent by 2014.