Fort Air Partnership Ambient Air Quality Monitoring 2012 Annual Network Report and Data Summary. FAP Technical Working Group April 18, 2013

Transcription

1 Fort Air Partnership Ambient Air Quality Monitoring 2012 Annual Network Report and Data Summary FAP Technical Working Group April 18, 2013 FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 i

2 This page is intentionally blank to facilitate two-sided printing. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 ii

3 Executive Summary Network overview During 2012 Fort Air Partnership (FAP) operated eight continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations. At the end of 2012, parameters measured in the FAP network on a continuous basis included: Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) Hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO X, and NO 2 ) Total hydrocarbons (THC) Non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) Methane (CH 4 ) Ammonia (NH 3 ) Carbon monoxide (CO) Ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) Ozone (O 3 ) Respirable particulates (PM 2.5 ) Inhalable particulates (PM 10 ) Benzene (C 6 H 6 ) Toluene (C 6 H 5 CH 3 ) Ethylbenzene (C 6 H 5 CH 2 CH 3 ) Xylene (C 6 H 4 C 2 H 6) (Total of o-, m-, and p-isomers) Styrene (C 6 H 5 CH=CH 2 ) Barometric pressure (BP) Relative humidity (RH) Ambient Temperature (T) Wind Speed and Direction (WS and WD) In addition to the continuous network, FAP operated a regional passive monitoring network in 2012, monitoring for sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ) and hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) at 62 sites. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 iii

4 Network Changes in 2012 FAP made several key changes to the network and improvements to the infrastructure and equipment in the monitoring network in With prior approval of the Alberta Government the following changes were made to the FAP network following recommendations made in the recent comprehensive network assessment: Reduced the SO 2 passive network by 20% (12 sites) from 61 down to 49 sites. Sites removed were; 6,10,13,14,16,17,19,25,36,41,61,63 Reduced the H 2 S passive network by 20% (11 sites) from 53 down to 42 sites. Sites removed were; 3, 6, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 25, 34, 47 Suspended passive monitoring for O 3 (to be re-evaluated periodically) Suspended passive monitoring for NO 2 (to be re-evaluated periodically) With prior approval of the Alberta Government, ended the NH 3 monitoring project at the Bruderheim station monitoring Installed dedicated calibrators at the Redwater and Range Road 220 stations Updated wind monitoring equipment at the Lamont County Industrial station to standardize meteorological equipment across the network Obtained a hydrogen generator for the hydrocarbon monitor at the Range Road 220 station for improved safety. Replaced the ammonia analyzer at Ross Creek with a new one. Worked toward a full complement of backup analyzers by; Refurbishing all analyzers not in use for operational readiness where possible Purchasing a second BTEX analyzer as a backup to the current one in use Restoring a surplus particulate analyzer received from another airshed FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 iv

5 Air Quality Events and Exceedances Summary The 2012 exceedances are summarized as follows: Benzene: One 1-hour AAAQO exceedance of benzene was reported at Scotford 2 AQM station during The source was assigned to local industry. SO 2 : The 1-hour AAAQO for SO 2 was exceeded at the Redwater Industrial AQM Station seven times during The source was assigned to local industry. There were no exceedances of the 24 hour or 30-day AAAQO. H 2 S: One hundred and sixty four (163) exceedances of the 1-hour AAAQO and 28 exceedances of the 24-hr AAAQO were reported at Scotford 2 AQM Station in June, July and August. The source was assigned to natural processes in the nearby wetland. PM 2.5 : There were eight 24-hour AAAQO exceedances and twenty eight (28) 1- hour Guideline exceedances throughout the network. Most of the events were regional and observed at multiple stations. The many exceedances reported represent only a few air quality events that were recorded at several stations concurrently. o June 2 and 24, 2012: Three 1-hour exceedances at Lamont County o July 13-16, 2012 due to smoke from fires in northern Alberta: Three 1-hour and one 24-hour exceedance at Redwater Industrial Three 1-hour and three 24-hour exceedances at Fort Saskatchewan Seventeen 1-hour and three 24-hour exceedances at Bruderheim o August 21, 2012 attributed to a localized event: One 1-hour exceedance at Bruderheim o September 19 & 25, 2012 due to smoke from fires in northern Alberta and agricultural operations: One 1-hour exceedance at Bruderheim One 24-hour exceedance at Bruderheim FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 v

6 Air Quality Health Index Summary The Air Quality Health Index was reported from four stations in AQHI for Edmonton is included for comparison purposes: Air Quality Health Index in FAP region in 2012 Station Name AQI Hours Monitored (out of 8784) Low Risk Moderate Risk High Risk Very High Risk % % % % Elk Island Lamont County Bruderheim Fort Saskatchewan Edmonton FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 vi

7 Table of Contents Executive Summary... iii Network overview... iii Network Changes in iv Air Quality Events and Exceedances Summary... v Air Quality Health Index Summary... vi List of Tables... viii List of Figures... ix Abbreviations... x Units of Measurement... xi Introduction... 1 The FAP Organization (2012)... 1 The Technical Working Group... 2 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Program Continuous Monitoring Network... 3 Network Overview... 3 Continuous Monitoring and Reporting Requirements... 5 The FAP Network Monitoring Objectives... 5 Continuous Monitoring Site Descriptions... 9 Monitoring Station Coordinates Continuous Monitoring Methods Data Acquisition Procedures Data Quality Control Procedures Data Validation Processes Compliance Reporting Protocol Data Reporting Protocol Continuous Monitoring Performance Measures Continuous Monitoring Data Station Audit Passive Monitoring Network Passive Monitoring Description FAP Passive Monitoring Network Passive Monitoring for Compliance to EPEA Approvals Monitoring Results Exceedances Summary Ambient Air Monitoring Data Continuous Monitoring Results Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) Carbon Monoxide Sulphur Dioxide Oxides of Nitrogen Hydrogen Sulphide Ozone FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 vii

8 Inhalable and Respirable Particulates ( PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) Ammonia Hydrocarbons Ethylene Other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Passive Monitoring Results Sulphur Dioxide Hydrogen Sulphide Nitrogen Dioxide Ozone Other Technical Airshed Programs and Activities Action toward Regional Airshed Monitoring Monitoring Network Assessment Particulate Monitoring Programs: PM&O3 Management and the Capital Airshed Partnership (CAP) Appendices Appendix A: Technical Working Group Members Appendix B: Monitoring Stations and Corresponding Approvals Table B-1: FAP Monitoring Objectives Table B-2: FAP monitoring stations and corresponding EPEA Approvals (Dec. 31, 2011) Table B-3: Industry Participants in FAP (Dec. 31, 2011) Appendix C: Continuous Station Summary Data Table C-1: Bruderheim AQM Continuous Monitoring Data Summary Table C-2: Elk Island AQM Continuous Monitoring Data Summary Table C-3: Fort Saskatchewan AQM Continuous Monitoring Data Summary Table C-4: Lamont County AQM Continuous Monitoring Data Summary Table C-5: Range Road 220 AQM Continuous Monitoring Data Summary Table C-6: Redwater Industrial AQM Continuous Monitoring Data Summary Table C-7: Ross Creek AQM Continuous Monitoring Data Summary Table C-8: Scotford 2 AQM Continuous Monitoring Data Summary Appendix D: Passive Data Summary Tables Table D-1: 2012 Passive monitoring monthly averages: SO Table D-2: 2012 Passive monitoring monthly averages: H 2 S Table D-3: 2012 Passive monitoring monthly averages: NO Table D-4: 2012 Passive monitoring monthly averages: O Appendix E: AMD Annual Reporting Requirements List of Tables Table 1: FAP continuous monitoring stations and parameters Table 2: Continuous monitoring station locations Table 3: Continuous monitoring methods, limits, and sampling details (Dec 31, 2012) FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 viii

9 Table 4: Data completeness as reported to CASA Data Warehouse (percent) Table 5: FAP passive monitoring sites in Table 6: FAP passive monitoring sites as of Dec 31, Table 7: Passive monitoring compliance requirements (December 31, 2012) Table 8: AAAQO exceedances in FAP airshed Table 9: Alberta Air Quality Health Index Table 10: Monthly average CO concentrations Fort Saskatchewan AQM Table 11: Annual average CO concentrations (ppm) - historical Table 12: Monthly average SO2 concentrations (ppb) in Table 13: Annual average SO2 concentrations (ppb) - historical Table 14: Monthly average NO2concentrations (ppb) in Table 15: Annual average NO 2 concentrations (ppb) historical Table 16: Monthly average H2S concentrations (ppb) in Table 17: H 2 S exceedances table Table 18: Monthly average ozone concentrations (ppb) in Table 19: Average particulate matter concentrations (µg/m 3 ) in Table 20: PM 2.5 exceedances table Table 21: Monthly average NH 3 concentrations (ppb) in Table 22: Monthly average hydrocarbons (ppm) in Table 23: 1 hour Maximum hydrocarbons (ppm) in Table 24: Monthly average ethylene concentrations (ppb) in Table 25: Monthly average BTEX/S concentrations (ppb) in List of Figures Figure 1: Monitoring sites at December 31, Figure 2: Map Detail: FAP monitoring in the vicinity of industry sites... 8 Figure 3: Passive monitor in the field Figure 4: Annual average SO2 concentrations (ppb) Figure 5: Annual average NO 2 concentrations (ppb) Figure 6: Annual average H 2 S concentrations (ppb) Figure 7: Annual average O 3 concentrations (ppb) Figure 8: Annual average PM 2.5 concentrations (µgr/m 3 ) Figure 9: Annual average NH 3 concentrations (ppb) Figure 10: Annual average HC concentrations (ppm) Figure 11: Annual average Ethylene concentrations (ppb) Figure 12: Annual average BTEX/S concentrations (ppb) Figure 13: 2012 Map of Annual average SO 2 concentrations (ppb) Figure 14: 2012 Passive monitoring monthly averages: SO 2 (ppb) Figure 15: 2012 Map of Annual average H 2 S concentrations (ppb) Figure 16: 2012 Passive monitoring monthly averages: H 2 S (ppb) Figure 17: 2012 Map of Annual average NO 2 concentrations (ppb) Figure 18: 2012 Passive monitoring monthly averages: NO 2 (ppb) Figure 19: 2012 Map of Annual average O 3 concentrations (ppb) Figure 20: 2012 Passive monitoring monthly averages: O 3 (ppb) FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 ix

10 FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 x

11 Abbreviations 24-hours AAAQG AAAQO AMD AQM BTEX/S Calm CAP CASA CH 4 CWS EPEA FAP H 2 S MST NAPS NMHC NH 3 NO 2 NO NO X OMP O 3 PM 10 PM 2.5 QA/QC A calendar day, beginning at midnight Alberta Ambient Air Quality Guideline Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objective Air Monitoring Directive, 1989 and 2006 Amendments to the Air Monitoring Directive (AMD 2006) Air Quality Monitoring Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and styrene 1-hour average wind speed is lower than 5 km/hour Capital Airshed Partnership Clean Air Strategic Alliance Methane Canada-Wide Standard Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (Alberta) Fort Air Partnership Hydrogen sulphide Mountain Standard Time National Air Pollution Surveillance Non-methane hydrocarbons Ammonia Nitrogen dioxide Nitric oxide Oxides of nitrogen Ozone Management Plan Ground level ozone Particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 µm in diameter, referred to as inhalable particles Particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm in diameter, referred to as respirable particles Quality assurance / quality control FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 xi

12 SO 2 THC TWG VOC WD WS Sulphur dioxide Total hydrocarbons Technical Working Group Volatile organic compound Wind direction Wind speed Units of Measurement µg/m 3 km/hr ppb ppm micrograms per cubic meter kilometres per hour parts per billion by volume parts per million by volume Note: Where the Alberta Government is mentioned in this report the reference is to the Department that has authority over and regulates the industrial approvals of air monitoring and reporting. In 2012 this department was Alberta Environment and Water later changed to Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April 2013 xii

13 Introduction The FAP Organization (2012) The Fort Air Partnership (FAP) is a registered not-for-profit society established in 1997 to operate an air quality monitoring network in a 4,500 square kilometer area northeast of Edmonton that includes Fort Saskatchewan, Gibbons, Bon Accord, Bruderheim, Lamont, Redwater, Waskatenau, Thorhild, and Elk National Island Park. In November 2000, FAP became the fourth airshed in Alberta recognized by the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA). FAP is a multi-stakeholder group with members from industry, government, and the public. FAP members see the benefit of sitting down together and working through issues in order to fulfill its mission. The FAP Board holds monthly meetings that are open to the public. Decisions of the Board and its committees are made by consensus. FAP s vision is stated as Public, industry and government have a clear shared understanding of ambient air quality in the region. FAP s mission is: To operate a regional network to monitor and report credible and comprehensive ambient air quality information.. FAP uses a governance organizational structure, such that the Board of Directors establishes policy and direction for the organization, and contracted staff and committees manage the operational details in accordance with the set direction. In 2012 FAP continued to operate with several committees: an Executive Committee, a Technical Working Group (TWG), a Communications Advisory Committee, a Financial Committee and a Governance Committee, which all make recommendations to the FAP Board. FAP s operations were managed by an Executive Director, with staff consisting of a Network Manager, a Communications Director, and an Administrative Assistant. During 2012 the Technical Director position was replaced with a Network Manager position. FAP contracts air monitoring service providers who perform monitoring equipment maintenance, calibration, and data validation and reporting. Fort Air Partnership s monitoring and communications programs are funded by the Northeast Capital Industrial Association, Alberta Government, Alberta s Industrial Heartland Association, and by Environment Canada who provides monitoring equipment. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

14 The Technical Working Group The TWG is primarily responsible for oversight of the implementation and operation of the monitoring network and provides technical guidance to FAP. The TWG regularly meets to review the data and network operations to ensure that appropriate protocols are in place to assure data quality. TWG members represent a wide range of technical air quality roles from industry, Alberta Government, government health agencies, FAP s primary monitoring and data validation contractors, and members of the public. Committee members have substantial combined experience including monitoring technology, analysis, laboratory, quality systems, and regulatory reporting. Additionally, the TWG membership draws upon outside expertise from industry, air quality consultants, academia and government. Members of the TWG collaborate with other air monitoring agencies in Alberta and Canada. A list of TWG committee members on December 31, 2012 can be found in Appendix A. Lists of industry approval holders participating in FAP, as required in many cases by Environmental and Protection Enhancement Act (EPEA) approval clauses, can be found in Appendix B. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

15 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Program 2012 Continuous Monitoring Network Network Overview During 2012 Fort Air Partnership (FAP) operated eight continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations in an area northeast of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Four stations were originally established as compliance stations, with locations and parameters specified in regulatory industrial approvals, with a primary objective to monitor ambient air quality in the immediate vicinity of petrochemical and refinery facilities. These stations are Range Road 220 AQM Station, Ross Creek AQM Station, Scotford 2 AQM Station, and Redwater Industrial AQM Station. While the Range Road 220 and Ross Creek AQM stations are no longer specifically designated in any industrial approvals, FAP maintains these as stations to meet these industrial approval requirements for ambient air monitoring. Lamont County AQM Station operates as a compliance station, required by regulatory approval, but unlike the other compliance stations, Lamont County is not in close proximity to an industry site. The primary monitoring objective of this station is to monitor the effects of multiple emission sources on air quality. The Fort Saskatchewan AQM Station is located in the City of Fort Saskatchewan. This station has a long history of operation by the Alberta Government and is part of the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) monitoring network. The primary objective of this station is to monitor ambient air quality where people live, to provide trending information, and for compliance to Alberta s Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQOs) and Canada-Wide Standards. Elk Island AQM Station is located in a National Park and also is part of the NAPS monitoring network. The primary objective of this station is to monitor air quality in a protected area that is downwind of a major Canadian city and a few kilometres from two Industrial clusters. FAP s newest station was commissioned in Bruderheim in The primary objective for this station is to monitor ambient air quality where people live. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

16 Parameters measured in the FAP network on a continuous basis include: Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) Hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO X, and NO 2 ) Total hydrocarbons (THC) Non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) Methane (CH 4 ) Ammonia (NH 3 ) Carbon monoxide (CO) Ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) Ozone (O 3 ) Respirable particulates (PM 2.5 ) Inhalable particulates (PM 10 ) Benzene (C 6 H 6 ) Toluene (C 6 H 5 CH 3 ) Ethylbenzene (C 6 H 5 CH 2 CH 3 ) Xylene (C 6 H 4 C 2 H 6) (Total of o-, m-, and p-isomers) Styrene (C 6 H 5 CH=CH 2 ) Barometric pressure (BP) Relative humidity (RH) Ambient Temperature (T) Wind Speed and Direction (WS and WD) The parameters that are monitored at each station are shown in Table 1. Monitoring sites are mapped in Figures 1 and 2. In 2012 FAP also operated a 62 site passive monitoring network that measure monthly average concentrations of SO 2, O 3, NO 2 and H 2 S. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

17 Continuous Monitoring and Reporting Requirements FAP s monitoring and reporting program was originally designed to meet licensing requirements of industrial facilities in the region. Three additional stations, including Fort Saskatchewan AQM Station, Elk Island AQM Station and Bruderheim AQM station were added to form a monitoring network. Monitoring protocols are structured to meet the requirements of Alberta Government s Air Monitoring Directive, 1989 and 2006 Amendment. Several industrial facilities hold Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) approvals and are required to perform ambient air quality monitoring as part of their conditions to operate. Until 2009, very prescriptive monitoring requirements have been detailed in industrial approvals; they specified the parameters monitored and the monitoring locations (usually very near the industrial facility). The FAP continuous monitoring stations, with the corresponding Approval holders that were in effect during 2012 are listed in Appendix D. The FAP Network Monitoring Objectives Prior to 2009, the primary monitoring objective for the majority of FAP s monitoring stations was to monitor for compliance purposes, meeting the regulatory requirements of EPEA Approval holders. New approvals clauses have allowed FAP the flexibility and responsibility to define monitoring objectives for the stations that it operates. In order to efficiently use resources and evaluate the effectiveness of the FAP monitoring network, it is important to first define the monitoring objectives for the network, and then assess the monitoring network s effectiveness to achieve these monitoring objectives. The monitoring objectives for the FAP network are: Establish regulatory compliance Understand spatial distribution of pollutants in the region Identify regional air quality trends Provide flexibility to characterize emerging issues, sources, and locations Provide appropriate information for evaluating population exposure to ambient air quality Provide information required to understand air quality impacts on the health of the environment Improve the ability to identify and apportion pollutant sources for purposes of air quality management Provide suitable input and validation information for air quality models FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

18 Table 1: FAP continuous monitoring stations and parameters 2012 Redwater Industrial Lamont County Scotford 2 Ross Creek Fort Sask. Range Road 220 Bruderheim Elk Island Wind speed and wind direction Air temperature Relative humidity Barometric pressure Ammonia (NH3) Carbon monoxide (CO) Ethylene (C2H4) Ozone (O3) Total hydrocarbons (THC) Non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) Methane (CH4) Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) Oxides of Nitrogen (NO x) Nitric oxide (NO) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Inhalable particulates (PM10) Respirable particulates (PM2.5) Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Benzene (C6H6) Toluene (C7H8) Ethylbenzene (C8H10) Xylene (C24H30) Styrene (C8H8) FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

19 Figure 1: Monitoring sites at December 31, 2012 To find a clear, multi-layer, fine resolution map of the airshed that you can download and view self-selected layers, visit or inquire at info@fortairmail.org. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

20 Figure 2: Map Detail: FAP monitoring in the vicinity of industry sites FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

21 Continuous Monitoring Site Descriptions Bruderheim AQM Station Primary Monitoring Objective: To monitor ambient air quality where people live. For a complete list of monitoring objectives, see table in Appendix B. Continuous Parameters Monitored: Methane and non-methane hydrocarbons, NO/NO X /NO 2, ozone, PM 2.5, PM 10, SO 2, ambient temperature, wind speed and direction. The station also reports the Air Quality Health Index. Site Description: The Bruderheim AQM station was established in During 2009, FAP received approval from the Alberta Government to more effectively deploy monitoring resources in the FAP network. This involved decommissioning Station 401- Josephburg Road AQM Station in favour of a new location in the Town of Bruderheim. The station is located near the town centre, behind the businesses on Queen Street in Bruderheim. Elk Island AQM Station Primary monitoring objective: Understand the air quality impacts of a large Canadian city on a protected area. For a complete list of monitoring objectives, see table in Appendix B. Continuous parameters monitored: NO/NO X /NO 2, ozone, PM 2.5, SO 2, wind speed and wind direction. A wet deposition sampler is also at the site. The station reports the Air Quality Health Index.. Site Description: This station is located within the boundaries of Elk Island National Park, between the administration building and Astotin Lake, near the west entrance to the park at Township Road 544 near Range Road 203. FAP has been operating this station and reporting data to the CASA data warehouse since January This station was designated a National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) station in FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

22 Fort Saskatchewan AQM Station Primary monitoring objective: Monitor air quality where people live and to establish air quality compliance to the AAAQOs. With the longest operational history and data record in the FAP network, it is an important station for understanding historical trends. It is a designated NAPS station. For a complete list of monitoring objectives, see table in Appendix B. Continuous parameters monitored: Ammonia, carbon monoxide, H 2 S, methane and non-methane hydrocarbons, NO/NO X /NO 2, ozone, PM 2.5, SO 2, wind speed and direction. The station also reports the Air Quality Health Index. Site description: This station is in the airshed s largest population center (20,475 in 2012 census). It is located adjacent to a residential area of the City of Fort Saskatchewan near 92 nd Street and 96 th Avenue, 80 metres west of Highway 15, a major traffic artery, with an annual average daily traffic count of 16,813 vehicles per day in FAP has been operating this station and reporting data to the CASA data warehouse since January Data from this site goes back to 1993 in the CASA Data Warehouse. Lamont County AQM Station Primary monitoring objective: Understand impacts of multiple pollutant sources in the region, which may include sources from Alberta s Industrial Heartland and from Strathcona industrial area, as well as from other sources in the City of Edmonton. This site was selected because modeling indicated that this elevated area of the region may experience higher concentrations of SO2. The Lamont County AQM Station is an EPEA compliance station (see table in Appendix B for details). For a complete list of monitoring objectives, see table in Appendix B. Continuous parameters monitored: H 2 S, methane and non-methane hydrocarbons, NO/NO X /NO 2, ozone, PM 2.5, PM 10, SO 2, relative humidity, wind speed and direction. The site reports Air Quality Health Index. FAP has been operating this station and reporting data to the CASA data warehouse since January FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

23 Lamont County AQM Station (continued) Site description: This station is located in a rural area in a hay field, several kilometres away from industrial facilities and other large pollutant sources, approximately 6 km west of the town of Lamont. The station is on a hill (elevation 723 meters), 1.5 kilometres south of Highway 15, about 250 meters west of Range Road 202. Station changes (2012): An RM Young wind sensor was installed to update the equipment and standardize meteorological equipment across the network. Range Road 220 AQM Station Primary monitoring objective: Monitor the impacts of local industrial emissions on air quality. For a complete list of monitoring objectives, see table in Appendix B. Continuous parameters monitored: Ammonia, ethylene, methane and non-methane hydrocarbons, NO/NO X /NO 2, SO 2, barometric Site description: This site was originally a compliance station, shared among several industrial approval holders but is now operated as a FAP regional station. It is located off of Range Road 220 in an open area along the facility fence line east of the Dow Chemical ethylene production facilities. FAP has been operating this station and reporting data to the CASA data warehouse since January Station changes (2012): A new dedicated calibration system was purchased and installed. All analyzer interconnections were upgraded and the station configured for the new calibrator. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

24 Redwater Industrial AQM Station Primary monitoring objective: Monitor the impacts of local industrial emissions on air quality. The Redwater Industrial AQM Station is an EPEA compliance station (see table in Appendix B for details). For a complete list of monitoring objectives, see table in Appendix B. Continuous parameters monitored: ammonia, NO/NO X /NO 2, PM 2.5, SO 2, ambient temperature at 2m and 10m, relative humidity, wind speed and direction. Site description: The station is located adjacent to the truck loading area along the western fence line of the Agrium Redwater Fertilizer Plant, adjacent to Highway 643. It is approximately twelve kilometres south of the community of Redwater, Alberta. FAP has been operating this station and reporting data to the CASA data warehouse since Station changes (2012): A new dedicated calibration system was purchased and installed. All analyzer interconnections were upgraded and the station configured for the new calibrator. Ross Creek AQM Station Primary monitoring objective: To monitor the impacts of local industrial emissions on air quality. For a complete list of monitoring objectives, see table in Appendix B. Continuous parameters monitored: Ammonia, ethylene, NO/NO X /NO 2, SO 2, barometric pressure, solar radiation, temperature at 2 metres and 10 metres, vertical wind speed, wind speed and direction. Site description: The station is located west of the Sherritt Fort Saskatchewan site, between the industrial facility and the City of Fort Saskatchewan. FAP has been operating this station and reporting data to the CASA data warehouse since January Station changes (2012): A new ammonia and nitrogen oxides analyzer was purchased and FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

25 installed. Scotford 2 AQM Station Primary objective: To monitor the impacts of local industrial emissions on air quality. The Scotford 2 station is an EPEA compliance station, shared among four industrial Approval holders (see Table in Appendix B for details). For a complete list of monitoring objectives, see table in Appendix B. Continuous parameters monitored: H2S, SO2, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (o-, m- and p- isomers), styrene, wind speed and direction, ambient temperature. Site description: The monitoring site is located to the east of industrial facilities, and to the south of the proposed BA Upgrader on Range Road 213, just south of Township Road 560. The station is located on an open area with a slightly undulating landscape. The monitoring station has been operating at this site since late December FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

26 Monitoring Station Coordinates Longitude and latitude coordinates for the FAP monitoring stations are found in Table 2. Table 2: Continuous monitoring station locations Monitoring Station Latitude Longitude Bruderheim N W Elk Island N W Fort Saskatchewan N W Lamont County N W Range Road N W Redwater Industrial N W Ross Creek N W Scotford N W Continuous Monitoring Methods Continuous monitoring methods are generally prescribed by Alberta Government s Air Monitoring Directive. Details of the FAP network methods are summarized in Table 3. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

27 Table 3: Continuous monitoring methods, limits, and sampling details (Dec 31, 2012) Parameter Instrument Make and Model Units of Measure Sampling Frequency Range (per Approval) Lower Detection Limit Method Of Detection Calibration Method Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Teco 43C or 43i ppb or ppm 1-second samples, stored in 1-hour and 1-minute averages ppb or ppm 1 ppb 0.4ppb RMS 0.5ppb RMS Pulsed fluorescence Dynamic dilution of compressed gas standard Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) Teco 45C Teco 450i ppb or ppm 1 - second samples, stored in 1-hour and 1-minute averages ppb (0-0.1 ppm) 1 ppb 0.4 ppb RMS Pulsed fluorescence with converter Dynamic dilution of compressed gas standard Nitric Oxide, Oxides of Nitrogen, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO, NOx, NO 2 ) Teco 42C Teco 42i Teco 17C ppb or ppm 1-second samples, stored in 1-hour and 1-minute averages ppb 0.4 ppb 0.4 ppb 0.5ppb RMS Chemiluminescence Dynamic dilution of compressed gas standard Ammonia (NH 3 ) Teco 17C ppm 1 - second samples. Data stored in 1 hr, 5 min, and 1 min averages 0-10 ppm 0.4 ppb Chemiluminescence with total nitrogen converter Dynamic dilution of compressed gas standard Ozone (O 3 ) Teco 49C Teco 49i ppb or ppm 1 - second samples. Data stored in 1 hr, 5 min, and 1 min averages ppb (0-0.5 ppm) 1.0 ppb 0.5ppb RMS Ultraviolet photometry O3 Reference Bench FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

28 Parameter Instrument Make and Model Units of Measure Sampling Frequency Range (per Approval) Lower Detection Limit Method Of Detection Calibration Method Ethylene Peak Performer ppb Sample cycles occur every 200 seconds (18 samples per hour) ppb Gas chromatography with flame ionization detector Dynamic dilution of compressed gas standard Carbon Monoxide (CO) Teco 48CTL ppm 1 - second samples. Data stored in 1 hr, 5 min and 1 min averages 0-50 ppm 0.04 ppm Gas filter correlation Dynamic dilution of compressed gas standard Hydrocarbons (MHC - nmhc or THC) TECO 55C ppm Sample cycles occur every 2.5 minutes (24 samples per hour) 0-20 ppm MHC 0-20 ppm nmhc 0-40 ppm THC 20 ppb Methane 50 ppb nmhc (as propane) Gas chromatography with flame ionization detector Dynamic dilution of compressed gas standard Particulates PM 2.5 (preheated to 30C) TEOM 1400AB (Redwater Ind, Fort Sask) µg/m second samples. Data stored in 1 hr, 5 min and 1 min averages µg /m µg /m 3 weighing of sample Continuous filter Pre weighed filter method Particulates PM 2.5 SHARP 5030 (Fort Sask, Elk Island) µg/m 3 Continuous sampling, data stored in 1-min and 1-hr averages µg/ m µg /m 3 Hybrid beta attenuation and nephelometer Light transmitting foils Particulates PM 2.5 PM 10 Grimm 180 (Bruderheim) µg/m 3 Continuous sampling, data stored in 1-min and 1-hr averages µg/ m µg /m 3 Spectrometry Factory FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network 2012: Annual Network Report April

29 Parameter Instrument Make and Model Units of Measure Sampling Frequency Range (per Approval) Lower Detection Limit Method Of Detection Calibration Method Particulates PM 2.5 PM 10 BAM 1020 (Lamont County) µg/m 3 1 hour averages µg /m 3 1 µg /m 3 concentration by Relative beta attenuation Factory Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene, Styrene Spectras GC955 ppb Sample cycles occur every 15 minutes (4 samples/hour) 0-20ppb 0.02ppb Gas chromatography with FID detection Dynamic dilution of compressed gas standard Wind Speed Wind Direction (WS / WD) RM Young 5103 Met One 50.5H km/hr 1 - second samples data stored in 1 hour, 5 min, and 1 min averages 0-100km/hr degrees 0-100km/hr degrees 0.9 km/hr 3 cup anemometer and wind vane 0.9 km/hr ultrasonic Known RPM Standard or Factory Temperature Met One degrees Celsius 1 - second samples -50 to +50 +/-1 degree Resistance Comparison to Reference Standard Barometric Pressure Vaisalla mmhg Data stored in 1 hour and 1 min averages mmhg +/-2 mmhg Relative Humidity Met One % 0-100% +/-1 % Comparison to Reference Standard Comparison to Reference Standard FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

30 Data Acquisition Procedures Air quality monitoring instrumentation sends a voltage output to a data logger as soon as it is measured, where the voltage is converted to engineering units. One-minute average and hourly-average data packets are retrieved hourly from the data logger through the internet via microwave polling. After the hourly poll, automatic alarm set points trigger a notification to technicians of any data that is outside of a predetermined range, (including levels that might exceed the AAAQOs). The technician will assess the situation and notify the Alberta Government and local facility operators as necessary. Data Quality Control Procedures In order to assure data collection quality and operational uptime, the following general procedures are performed: Gas analyzers are subjected to a zero and single point calibration automatically on a daily basis. A daily review of the data is performed, where results of the daily zero and single point calibration from each analyzer are evaluated. Data is inspected for anomalies and technicians are dispatched to investigate as necessary. The data acquisition system flags data that is outside normal operating ranges for further review. Alarm set-points are automatically triggered for parameters that are subject to regulatory compliance. Each analyzer is subjected to a multi-point calibration on a monthly basis. Calibration reports are retained and copies are submitted to the Alberta Government monthly. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development conduct performance audits of analyzers once a year, verifying that analyzer is working properly according to the Air Monitoring Directive. Auditors also make suggestions for improvements to the monitoring operation at the stations. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

31 Data Validation Processes Data validation occurs monthly FAP uses one-minute data to calculate hourly, daily, and monthly averages Data is baseline-corrected by interpolation between consecutive valid zero points Data are plotted and reviewed together, comparing complementary or related parameters within a station Information in the station logs, the daily zeroes and spans, and calibration reports are considered Outliers, flat lines and other data irregularities are investigated Data flags are applied as required Compliance Reporting Protocol Compliance reporting required by the Alberta Government is accomplished in a number of ways: Exceedances of AAAQOs are reported as soon as they are known to Alberta Government s Environmental Service Response Centre, and are followed up with further information and a corrective action letter within 7 days, as appropriate. Instrument operational time below 90% in a month is reported to Alberta Government s Environmental Service Response Centre as soon as it is known, and followed up with further information and a corrective action letter within 7 days as appropriate. An ambient air quality monitoring report is delivered monthly and a summary report is prepared annually for the Alberta Government, as prescribed by the Air Monitoring Directive. This Technical Annual Report, together with AMD-required data tables provided by FAP s contractor, serves to meet the requirements of an Annual Compliance Report. It documents the status of the monitoring network and summarizes the regional air monitoring results. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

32 Data Reporting Protocol The data is reported in several ways: Live, unvalidated data is reported hourly on the FAP website at: data.asp Live, unvalidated data is reported hourly and retained for 225 days at the Alberta real-time website at: If the Air Quality Health Index approaches Poor quality, medical officers from the local health authority are notified by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. Medical officers then decide whether to issue a public health advisory. Validated historical data, suitable for use in analysis and reports, is available from the CASA data warehouse website at: Passive monitoring data tables are available upon request at info@fortairmail.org and at FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

33 Continuous Monitoring Performance Measures Continuous Monitoring Data In 2012 the average monthly uptime of all continuously monitored gas analyzers and particulate monitors in the network was over 95%, an improvement over the 2011 average of 91%. There were a few specific instances where individual instrument operation uptime fell below 90% during a particular month due to equipment malfunction or other issues that arose. These instances were reported and the issue corrected. Table 4: Data completeness as reported to CASA Data Warehouse (percent) Redwater Industrial Lamont County Scotford 2 Ross Creek Fort Saskatchewan Range Road Bruderheim Elk Island WS/WD Ammonia (NH3) Carbon monoxide (CO) 95.5 Ethylene (C2H4) Ground-level ozone (O3) Total hydrocarbons (THC) Non-methane hydrocarbons (nmhc) Methane (CH4) Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) Nitric oxide (NO) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Inhalable particulates (PM10) Respirable particulates (PM2.5) Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Benzene (C6H6) 94.0 Toluene (C7H8) 94.0 Ethylbenzene (C8H10) 94.0 Xylene (C24H30) 94.0 Styrene (C8H8) 94.0 FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

34 2012 Station Audit FAP s monitoring network was audited by an Alberta Government auditor during October 15 to 19, Six out of eight FAP stations were audited at this time. These audits are conducted to ensure that monitoring practices comply with the Air Monitoring Directive. The audits are rigorous, where each analyzer is challenged at multiple points with audit quality gases. In addition to challenging the analyzers, the auditors identify opportunities for improvement in station operations and configurations. Problems were noted with two ambient gas monitors and two wind sensors in the FAP network. All issues were resolved and FAP received an audit closure letter on December 20, The details are discussed in correspondence with the Alberta Government and are posted on the FAP website. Audit summary reports, audit correspondence and a closure letter are posted on the FAP website at FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

35 2012 Passive Monitoring Network Passive Monitoring Description Passive monitoring is a cost-effective solution for monitoring air quality at locations where continuous monitoring is not practical. Passive sampling devices can monitor air pollutants without the need for electricity, data loggers or pumps. Passive sampling devices are lightweight, portable and relatively simple to operate. No active movement of air through the sampler is necessary. Passive sampling involves the exposure of a reactive surface to the air. Transfer of the pollutant occurs by diffusion from the air to the surface. The surface consists of a membrane that is impregnated with a reactive solution. The sampling devices are mounted under a hood to protect it from rain or snow. Samplers are exposed for one month and analysis is completed in a laboratory. A major advantage of using a passive sampling system is that a network of multiple samplers can be used over a large area to determine the spatial variation of pollutant levels. Passive samplers are also useful for looking at long-term trends of air pollutants at specific locations. However, since a sample is exposed for a month, events that last for a short time period may be "averaged out". Figure 3: Passive monitor in the field FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

36 2012 FAP Passive Monitoring Network In 2012 FAP operated a network of passive monitors that measure sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and ozone (O 3 ) on a monthly basis. Samples are exchanged within two days of the first of each month and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Data is published on the FAP website. Ambient air monitoring results are also submitted for compliance purposes to the Alberta Government. Passive Monitoring Network Development FAP passive samplers monitor for monthly average concentrations of pollutants. In the FAP network they are intended to gather information over a broad spatial area and to measure trends over time. Sites are not selected based on a high likelihood of impingement, but rather on a spatial grid to establish a picture of comparative air quality throughout the Airshed. A few passive monitoring sites are located near local emission sources instead of on a regional basis, which should be considered when interpreting the data. Passive monitoring site numbers 1 to 10 were selected by FAP and deployed in July 2005 to collect air quality data in communities that did not have continuous monitoring stations. Site numbers 11 to 30 were selected and operated by Shell Canada for EPEA approval compliance purposes, but these were turned over to FAP in 2006 to incorporate into the FAP monitoring network. The Technical Working Group developed a plan in 2006 for growth of the passive monitoring network, with the intent to achieve a better understanding of regional air quality. The sites were planned on approximately a one township by one township spatial grid within the Airshed. Site numbers 31 to 40 were placed according to this grid pattern to meet EPEA Approval requirements for ten (out of a total of twenty) passive monitoring sites required for the planned BA Energy Heartland Upgrader. These were deployed in August Site numbers 41 to 43, and 46 to 47 were deployed for Keyera Energy and Provident Energy compliance monitoring in November Site 45 was added to meet an Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) requirement for the Shell Upgrader Expansion, also in November Site numbers 48 through 56 were located in the northern portion of the Airshed, aligned with the aforementioned grid pattern, beginning in August 2008 to meet approval requirements of the BA Energy Heartland Upgrader. Site 57 was colocated with the Scotford 2 continuous monitoring station as a data quality assurance tool for H 2 S and SO 2 passive monitors. Passive site 58 was co-located with the Fort Saskatchewan AQM Station in May 2009 as a passive monitoring quality assurance tool for NO 2 and O 3 passive monitors. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

37 Site numbers 59 through 63 were deployed in June 2010 to meet EPEA Approval requirements for five additional SO 2 and H 2 S passive sites for the Shell Scotford Upgrader Expansion. Previous years passive monitoring isopleth maps indicated some relatively large spatial gaps in areas that seemed to have a large O 3 and NO 2 gradient, so additional NO 2 and O 3 passive monitors were also deployed at sites 21, 34, 59, 60 and 62. The site coordinates and parameters measured at each passive monitoring site are listed in Table 5. Some sites are named if there is a recognizable nearby landmark or reference. To locate the sites, see the map in Figure 1. Table 5: FAP passive monitoring sites in 2012 Site Location Longitude Latitude SO 2 H 2 S O 3 NO 2 1 Stocks Greenhouses x x x 2 Ardrossan northeast x x x 3 NE of Bruderheim x x x x 4 Waskatenau x x x x 5 Thorhild x x x 6 Centennial Park x x x x 7 Bon Accord x x x 8 Gibbons x x x 9 Hu-Haven x x x 10 Fort Augustus x x x 11 North of BA x x 12 TwpRd 564A RgeRd x x 13 Hwy 830 Twp Rd x x 14 Astotin Creek x x 15 Hwy 830 Twp Rd x x 16 Bruderheim south x x 17 Rge Rd 213 TwpRd x x 18 Rge Rd 211 TwpRd x x 19 Rge Rd 204 Twp Rd x x 20 Rge Rd x x 21 Josephburg east x x x x 22 Elk Island Park west gate x x 23 Goodhope x x 24 North of Scotford x x 25 Lamereaux x x 26 Twp Rd 560 Rge Rd x x 27 N Sask. boat launch x x 28 Redwater Natural Area S x x FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

38 Site Location Longitude Latitude SO 2 H 2 S O 3 NO 2 29 Redwater Natural Area N x x 30 Redwater south x x 31 Northwest of Scotford x x 32 Degussa x x 33 Twp Rd 552 Rge Rd x x x x 34 C&C Tree Farm x x x x 35 Bon Accord southwest x x x x 36 Galloway Seed x x x x 37 Twp Rd 564 Rge Rd x x 38 Peno x x x x 39 Saint Michael x x x 40 Lamont east x x x x 41 Lily Lake x x x x 42 Radway - Val Soucy x x 43 Keyera Site x x 45 Scotford east x 46 Josephburg x x 47 Southeast of FAP x x x x 48 Highway x x 49 Namepi Creek x x 50 Sprucefield x x 51 Hollow Lake x x 52 Abee x x 53 Tawatinaw - Clearbrook x x 54 Elbridge x x 55 Taylor Lake x x 56 Opal x x 57 Scotford x x 58 Fort Saskatchewan x x 59 Partridge Hill x x x x 60 Oxbow Lake x x x x 61 Drygrass Lake x x 62 FAP East boundary x x x x 63 Moss Lake EINP x x In 2011 FAP commissioned comprehensive technical assessment of the FAP morning network. The 2012 final assessment report made a recommendation to reduce the number of passive sites. The assessment found redundant information was being provided between many H 2 S and SO 2 sites while the entire passive network for NO 2 and O 3 was considered to be providing redundant information to measurements made by the existing continuous network. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

39 The FAP TWG accepted these recommendations and as a result the Passive monitoring network was reduced as follows; for H 2 S by 11 sites for SO 2 by 12 sites for NO 2 all 26 sites for O 3 all 25 sites Site 6 was removed in June due to planned development of the area. Table 6 describes the passive network after these reductions were applied Table 6: FAP passive monitoring sites as of December 31, 2012 Site Location Longitude Latitude SO 2 H 2 S 1 Stocks Greenhouses x 2 Ardrossan northeast x 3 NE of Bruderheim x 4 Waskatenau x x 5 Thorhild x 7 Bon Accord x 8 Gibbons x 9 Hu-Haven x 11 North of BA x 12 TwpRd 564A RgeRd x x 15 Hwy 830 Twp Rd x 17 Rge Rd 213 TwpRd x 18 Rge Rd 211 TwpRd x x 20 Rge Rd x x 21 Josephburg east x x 22 Elk Island Park west gate x x 23 Goodhope x x 24 North of Scotford x x 26 Twp Rd 560 Rge Rd x x 27 N Sask. boat launch x x 28 Redwater Natural Area S x x 29 Redwater Natural Area N x x 30 Redwater south x x 31 Northwest of Scotford x x 32 Degussa x x 33 Twp Rd 552 Rge Rd x x 34 C&C Tree Farm x 35 Bon Accord southwest x x FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

40 Table 6: FAP passive monitoring sites as of December 31, 2012 (continued) Site Location Longitude Latitude SO 2 H 2 S 36 Galloway Seed x 37 Twp Rd 564 Rge Rd x x 38 Peno x x 39 Saint Michael x x 40 Lamont east x x 41 Lily Lake x 42 Radway - Val Soucy x x 43 Keyera Site x x 45 Scotford east x 46 Josephburg x x 47 Southeast of FAP x 48 Highway x x 49 Namepi Creek x x 50 Sprucefield x x 51 Hollow Lake x x 52 Abee x x 53 Tawatinaw - Clearbrook x x 54 Elbridge x x 55 Taylor Lake x x 56 Opal x x 57 Scotford x x 59 Partridge Hill x x 60 Oxbow Lake x x 61 Drygrass Lake x 62 FAP East boundary x x 63 Moss Lake EINP x FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012Annual Network Report April

41 Passive Monitoring for Compliance to EPEA Approvals FAP performs passive monitoring on behalf of approval holders, per Table 7. Air quality monitoring reports are submitted monthly to the Alberta Government. Data is archived in the CASA data warehouse. Table 7: Passive monitoring compliance requirements (December 31, 2012) Passive Monitoring Network 49 monitoring locations SO 2 42 monitoring locations H 2 S Facility Shell Canada Ltd. Scotford Upgrader (25 sites H 2 S, 25 sites SO 2 ) (Plus one SO 2 site for EUB approval) Provident Energy (2 sites H 2 S, 2 sites SO 2 ) BA Energy Heartland Bitumen Upgrader (20 sites H 2 S, 20 sites SO 2 ) Keyera Energy (4 sites H 2 S, 4 sites SO 2 ) EPEA Approval Number FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

42 2012 Monitoring Results 2012 Exceedances Summary Exceedances of the Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQOs) reported in the FAP Airshed during 2012 and previous years are listed in Table 8: Table 8: AAAQO exceedances in FAP airshed Parameter Measured Ammonia (NH 3 ) 1-hr Benzene (C 6 H 6 ) 1-hr Carbon Monoxide (CO) Ethyl benzene (C 6 H 5 CH 2 CH 3 ) Ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) 1-hr hr hr hr day Annual Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) 1-hr hr hr Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 24-hr Annual Ozone (O 3 ) 1-hr Styrene (C6H5CH=CH3) Sulphur dioxide (SO2) 1-hr hr hr day 0 0 n/a n/a n/a Annual Particulate Matter Fine (PM 2.5 ) 1-hr n/a n/a n/a 24-hr Toluene (C6H5CH3) 1-hr Xylenes (o-, m- and p- isomers) 1-hr n/a n/a FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

43 2012 Exceedances Summary (continued) The data Fort Air Partnership collects is compared to the Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQOs) set by the Alberta Government. When air quality standards are exceeded, Fort Air Partnership immediately alerts the Alberta Government Environmental Service Response Centre, and follows up with further information within 7 days as appropriate. If the source is likely local, industry operators located near the monitor are notified, so that a follow-up letter can be provided detailing the likely cause of the exceedance. The 2012 exceedances are summarized as follows: Benzene: One 1-hour AAAQO exceedance was reported at Scotford 2 AQM Station. The source was assigned to local industry. SO 2 : Seven 1-hour AAAQO exceedances were reported at Redwater Industrial AQM Station throughout the year. The source was assigned to local industry. H 2 S: One hundred and sixty three (163) exceedances of the 1-hour AAAQO and 28 exceedances of the 24-hr AAAQO were reported at Scotford 2 AQM Station in June, July and August. The source was assigned to natural processes in the nearby wetland. PM 2.5 : There were eight 24-hour AAAQO exceedances and twenty eight (28) 1-hour Guideline exceedances throughout the network. Most of the events were regional and observed at multiple stations. The many exceedances reported represent only a few air quality events that were recorded at several stations concurrently. o June 2 and 24, 2012: Three 1-hour exceedance at Lamont County o July 13-16, 2012 due to smoke from fires in northern Alberta: Three 1-hour and one 24-hour exceedance at Redwater Industrial Three 1-hour and three 24-hour exceedances at Fort Saskatchewan Seventeen 1-hour and three 24 hour exceedances at Bruderheim o August 21, 2012 attributed to a localized event: One 1-hour exceedance at Bruderheim o September 19 & 25, 2012 due to smoke from fires in northern Alberta and agricultural operations: One 1-hour exceedance at Bruderheim One 24-hour exceedance at Bruderheim FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

44 2012 Ambient Air Monitoring Data 2012 Continuous Monitoring Results Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) The Alberta Government uses an Alberta Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to report on air quality. The AQHI is a human health risk based index that provides health messaging for the public. The AQHI takes into consideration the accumulated effects of ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide. If hourly average air pollutant concentrations are higher than the AAAQOs, then the AQHI value falls into the High or Very High risk value. This applies for respirable particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. The AQHI in Alberta also includes hydrogen sulphide and total reduced sulphur concentrations when they exceed a specified threshold. This is in response to Alberta s oil and gas activity. The AQHI is provided on an hourly basis for many locations in Alberta. In the FAP Airshed, the AQHI is reported from the Fort Saskatchewan, Lamont County, Bruderheim and Elk Island National Park AQM Stations. Current AQHI can be found at Table 9: Alberta Air Quality Health Index Station Name AQI Hours Monitored (out of 8784) Low Risk Moderate Risk High Risk Very High Risk % % % % Elk Island Lamont County Bruderheim Fort Saskatchewan Edmonton The higher the AQHI number, the greater the health risk and need to take precautions. The index describes the level of health risk associated with this number as low, moderate, high or very high, and suggests steps people can take to reduce exposure. The AQHI was rated high risk for 3 hours at the Lamont County and Ft Saskatchewan stations and 19 at Bruderheim in Most of these were caused by wood smoke. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

45 Carbon Monoxide The AAAQOs for carbon monoxide are: 1-hour average concentration 13 ppm 8-hour average concentration 5 ppm Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas present in small amounts in the atmosphere primarily from incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels such as gasoline, oil and wood. The major source of CO in urban locations is motor vehicle exhaust emissions. Minor sources include fireplaces, industry, aircraft and natural gas combustion. Forest fires are also an important natural source of CO. When carbon monoxide concentrations are compared to the AAAQOs, it is observed that maximum concentration of CO was 1.66 ppm, about 12% of the 1-hr AAAQO. A summary of SO 2 concentrations recorded at the only FAP station that monitors CO is presented in Table 10 and 11. For additional information refer to the station by station summaries in the appendices of this report. Table 10: Monthly average CO concentrations Fort Saskatchewan AQM 2012 CO (ppm) 24-hr Month Average Maximum January February March April May June July August September October November December Annual Table 11: Annual average CO concentrations (ppm) historical Fort Saskatchewan FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

46 Sulphur Dioxide The AAAQOs for sulphur dioxide are: 1-hour average concentration 172 ppb 24-hour average concentration 48 ppb 30-day average concentration 11 ppb Annual average concentration 8.0 ppb Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) is a colourless gas with a pungent odour. In Alberta, natural gas processing plants are responsible for close to half of the SO 2 emissions in the province. Sources of SO 2 in the airshed are primarily industrial sources, both from within the FAP boundary and outside of it. When air quality monitoring data in the FAP region for 2012 was compared against the AAAQOs, it was observed that: The 1-hour AAAQO for SO 2 was exceeded at the Redwater Industrial AQM Station seven times during There were no exceedances of the 24-hour or 30-day AAAQO. The highest annual average concentration of SO 2 in the FAP network was at Redwater Industrial AQM station. See Table 13. At most monitoring locations within the FAP network, the sulphur dioxide concentrations are well below AAAQOs. In 2012 the only monitoring location to exceed the 1-hour SO 2 AAAQO was the Redwater Industrial AQM Station. A summary of SO 2 concentrations recorded at individual FAP stations are presented in Table 12 and 13. For additional information see also the station by station summaries in the appendices of this report. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

47 Table12: Monthly average SO 2 concentrations (ppb) in 2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bruderheim Elk Island Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Range Road Redwater Industrial Ross Creek Scotford Figure 4: Annual average SO 2 concentrations (ppb) SO 2 Annual Averages (ppb) Table 13: Annual average SO 2 concentrations (ppb) historical Bruderheim n/a n/a n/a Elk Island Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Range Road Redwater Industrial Ross Creek Scotford FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

48 Oxides of Nitrogen Oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) are the total of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and nitric oxide (NO). During high temperature combustion, such as burning of natural gas, coal, oil and gasoline, atmospheric nitrogen may combine with molecular oxygen to form NO. NO is colourless and odourless. Most NO in the ambient air will react with O 3 to form NO 2. NO 2 is a reddish-brown gas with a pungent odour and is partially responsible for the "brown haze" observed near large cities. Transportation (automobiles, locomotives and aircraft) is the major source of NO x in Alberta. Other major sources include industrial sources (oil and gas industries). Smaller sources of NO x include natural gas combustion, heating fuel combustion, and forest fires. The AAAQOs for NO 2 are: 1-hour average concentration 159 ppb Annual average concentration 24 ppb When air quality monitoring data in the FAP region during 2012 was compared against the AAAQOs, it was observed that: There were no exceedances of the 1-hour AAAQO for NO 2. The maximum onehour concentration was 96.6 ppb at the Redwater Industrial AQM Station. The annual average concentration at each FAP station was well below the AAAQO. The maximum annual average NO 2 concentration monitored was 8.9 ppb at the Fort Saskatchewan AQM station. While there is no AAAQO for monthly average concentrations of NO 2, the monthly averages values are useful to show that variation in NO 2 concentrations is seasonal. The maximum monthly NO 2 values occur during the months of December, January and February (refer to Table 14). Possible reasons for this are lower atmospheric mixing heights and/or increased emissions during cold weather. A summary of NO 2 concentrations recorded at individual FAP stations are presented in Table 14 and 15. For additional information see also the station by station summaries in the appendices of this report. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

49 Table 14: Monthly average NO 2 concentrations (ppb) in 2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bruderheim Elk Island Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Range Road Redwater Industrial Ross Creek Figure 5: Annual average NO 2 concentrations (ppb) NO 2 Annual Averages (ppb) FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

50 Table 15: Annual average NO 2 concentrations (ppb) historical: Station Bruderheim n/a n/a n/a Elk Island Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Range Road Redwater Industrial Ross Creek Nitric oxide (NO) and oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) are also measured at FAP monitoring stations. Data for these parameters are available through the CASA data warehouse at FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

51 Hydrogen Sulphide Hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) is a colourless gas with a rotten egg odour. Industrial sources of H 2 S include fugitive emissions (leakages) from petroleum refineries, tank farms for unrefined petroleum products, natural gas plants, petrochemical plants, sewage treatment facilities, and animal feedlots. Natural sources of H 2 S include sloughs, swamps and lakes. The AAAQOs for H2S are: 1-hour average concentration 10ppb 24-hour average concentration 3ppb When air quality monitoring data for 2012 was compared against the AAAQOs, it was observed that: There were 163 exceedances of the 1-hour AAAQOs for H 2 S at the Scotford 2 AQM Station in There were 28 exceedances of the 24-hour AAAQOs for H 2 S at Scotford 2 AQM Station in H 2 S concentrations were lower than 2 ppb almost ninety eight percent of the time. These H 2 S exceedances all occurred during nighttime or early morning hours and usually after warm sunny conditions on the preceding day. Investigation into these occurrences and weather conditions being conducive to H 2 S formation caused FAP to assign the source for all of these exceedances to natural processes in wetland areas in close proximity to the Scotford 2 monitoring station. A summary of H 2 S concentrations recorded in 2012 at individual stations are presented in table 16 and 17 below. For additional information see also the station by station summaries in the appendices of this report. Table 16: Monthly average H 2 S concentrations (ppb) in 2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Scotford FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

52 Figure 6: Annual average H 2 S concentrations (ppb) 1.2 H 2 S Annual Averages (ppb) Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Scotford 2 Table 17: H 2 S exceedances table hr 24-hr 1-hr 24-hr 1-hr 24-hr 1-hr 24-hr 1-hr 24-hr Fort Saskatchewan Scotford Lamont County FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

53 Ozone Unlike other pollutants, ozone (O 3 ) is not emitted directly by anthropogenic activities. O 3 in the lower atmosphere is produced by a complicated set of chemical reactions involving oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. O 3 is also transported to the ground from the "ozone rich" upper atmosphere by natural weather processes. O 3 and its precursors, such as NO x and VOCs, may also be carried from upwind sources such as urban centres and industrial complexes. A major source of VOCs in rural areas is natural emissions from trees and vegetation. O 3 concentrations are generally lower at urban locations than at rural locations. This is due to the destruction of O 3 by nitric oxide (NO) that is emitted by vehicles. O 3 levels are usually higher during the spring and summer months due to increased transport from the upper atmosphere and more sunlight, which allows O 3 forming chemical reactions to occur more rapidly. At normal outdoor concentrations, O 3 is a colourless, odourless gas. However, O 3 does have a characteristic sharp odour at very high concentrations, such as that associated with lightning storms. The AAAQO for ozone is: 1-hour average concentration 82 ppb When air quality monitoring data for 2012 in the FAP region was compared against the AAAQO, it was observed that: There were no exceedances of the 1-hour AAAQO for ozone at any of the FAP stations. There is a national standard for ozone. In June 2000, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments (except Quebec) signed the Canada-Wide Standards (CWS) for Particulate Matter and Ozone. The CWS and related provisions for ozone are: A CWS of 65 ppb, 8-hour averaging time Achievement to be based on the 4th highest measurement annually, averaged over 3 consecutive years, with provisions to back out naturally occurring ozone events. The Alberta Government performs the assessment annually and has determined that Canada-wide Standards were not exceeded for ozone in Alberta for the most recent assessment period. However, a planning trigger was exceeded in the 2008 assessment and an air quality management plan for the Capital Region (which includes the area monitored by FAP) was developed. A discussion of the status of the Ozone Management Plan and its implementation can be found in later sections of this report. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

54 A summary of O 3 concentrations recorded in 2012 at individual stations are presented in table 18 below. For additional information see also the station by station summaries in the appendices of this report. Table 18: Monthly average ozone concentrations (ppb) in 2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bruderheim Elk Island Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County The highest monthly average concentrations tend to occur during the spring months, when the overall background levels are highest. The highest maximum one-hour values tend to occur later in the summer, during hot summer afternoons under low wind conditions. Peak concentrations for ozone are relevant because of the potential health effects. Figure 7: Annual average O 3 concentrations (ppb) 40 O 3 Annual Averages (ppb) Bruderheim Elk Island Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

55 Inhalable and Respirable Particulates (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) Inhalable particulates include particulate matter less than 10 micrometers (μm) in aerodynamic diameter (PM 10 ). These particles can be inhaled into the nose and throat. Sources of PM 10 include soil dust, road dust, agricultural dust (e.g., harvest), smoke from forest fires and wood burning, vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions. Respirable particulates are tiny particles that are smaller than 2.5 microns (PM 2.5 ). To give an idea of how small this is, a strand of human hair is about 70 microns in width. Fine particulates in this size range are referred to as PM 2.5. Sources include soil, roads, agricultural dust, vehicles, industrial emissions, smoke from forest fires, cigarettes, household fireplaces and barbecues. Secondary particulate matter may also be produced in the atmosphere through a number complex chemical processes. Particulates can come from both solid matter and liquid aerosols. In high concentrations, suspended particulates may cause human health problems. The amount of damage depends on the chemical composition of the particles. Inhaling particulate matter can make breathing more difficult or may aggravate existing lung and heart problems. Smaller particles have the ability to travel deeper into the lungs where they may cause permanent lung damage. Higher values of PM 2.5 typically occur during winter temperature inversions when the air movement is limited, or in summer when smoke from forest fires is present. Periods of high readings in 2012 tended to occur throughout the airshed, were measured at several stations at the same time, and were quickly dispersed when wind speed began to increase. The AAAQO for PM 2.5 is: 24-hour average concentration 30 µg/m 3 There is also an Air Quality Guideline for PM 2.5 : 1-hour average concentration 80 µg/m 3 (This is a guideline figure, although FAP has been reporting it for compliance purposes since A one-hour average concentration of 80µg/m 3 will trigger an AQHI in the High Risk' category). There is no AAAQO or Guideline for PM 10. When air quality monitoring data in the Fort Air Partnership region for 2012 was compared against the AAAQO, it was observed that there were nine 24-hour AAAQO exceedances throughout the network and twenty eight 1-hour Guideline exceedances. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

56 The exceedances reported represent a few air quality events that were recorded on nine separate days and often at several stations concurrently: o June 2 and 24, 2012: Three 1-hour exceedances at Lamont County o July 13-16, 2012 due to smoke from fires in northern Alberta: Three 1-hour and one 24-hour exceedance at Redwater Industrial Three 1-hour and three 24-hour exceedances at Fort Saskatchewan Seventeen 1 -hour and three 24-hour exceedances at Bruderheim o August 21, 2012 attributed to a localized event: One 1-hour exceedance at Bruderheim o September 19 & 25, 2012 due to smoke from fires in northern Alberta and agricultural operations: One 1-hour exceedance at Bruderheim One 24-hour exceedance at Bruderheim A summary of PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations recorded in 2012 at individual stations is presented in table 19 and 20 below. For additional information see also the station by station summaries in the appendices of this report. Table 19: Average particulate matter concentrations (µg/m 3 ) in 2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec PM 2.5 Bruderheim Elk Island Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Redwater Industrial PM 10 Bruderheim Lamont County FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

57 Figure 8: Annual average PM 2.5 concentrations (µgr/m 3 ) PM 2.5 Annual Averages (µgr/m 3 ) Bruderheim Elk Island Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Redwater Industrial Table 20: PM 2.5 exceedances table hr 24-hr 1-hr 24-hr 24-hr 24-hr 24-hr Bruderheim Elk Island Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Redwater Industrial FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

58 Ammonia Ammonia (NH 3 ) is a colourless gas with the well-known pungent odour found in household cleaners. NH 3 is produced both by natural and anthropogenic sources. Some natural sources of NH 3 include the decay of plant material and animal waste. A small portion is also released during respiration. In Alberta, the fertilizer industry is the main industrial source of NH 3. This industry produces synthetic NH 3 for either direct application to soil as a fertilizer, or as a raw material for use in the production of other high nitrogen fertilizer products. The other major source of NH 3 is commercial feedlots, specifically from their large amounts of animal waste. Sources of ammonia in the airshed are primarily from industrial sources in the production of fertilizer, but can also be formed from natural sources such as the decay of plant material and animal waste. The AAAQO for ammonia is: 1-hour average concentration 2000ppb When air quality monitoring data for 2012 in the FAP region was compared to the AAAQO, it was observed that: There were no exceedances of the AAAQO for ammonia in A summary NH 3 concentrations recorded in 2012 at individual stations is presented in table 21 below. For additional information see also the station by station summaries in the appendices of this report. Table 21: Monthly average NH 3 concentrations (ppb) in 2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bruderheim * * Fort Saskatchewan Range Road Redwater Industrial Ross Creek * NH3 monitoring was stopped at Bruderheim November 2012 ** NH3 data was not available at Ross Creek in January FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

59 Figure 9: Annual average NH 3 concentrations (ppb) NH 3 Annual Averages (ppb) Bruderheim Fort Saskatchewan Range Road 220 Redwater Industrial Ross Creek FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

60 Hydrocarbons Total hydrocarbons (THC) refer to a broad family of chemicals that contain carbon and hydrogen atoms. Total hydrocarbons are the sum of non-reactive and reactive hydrocarbons. The major reactive hydrocarbon in the atmosphere is methane. Major worldwide sources of atmospheric methane include wetlands, ruminants such as cows, energy use, landfills, and burning biomass such as wood. Methane is the primary component of natural gas. The reactive (or non-methane) hydrocarbons consist of many volatile organic compounds, some of which react with oxides of nitrogen in the atmosphere to form ozone. While Alberta does not have ambient air quality objectives (AAAQOs ) for total hydrocarbons, methane or non-methane hydrocarbons, the oxidation of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere contributes to an increased amount of nitrogen oxides and ozone, which do have objectives. Additionally, there are objectives for specific reactive hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene and ethylene. A summary of hydrocarbon concentrations recorded in 2012 at individual stations are presented in table 22 and 23 below. For additional information see also the station by station summaries in the appendices of this report. Table 22: Monthly average hydrocarbons (ppm) in 2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total Hydrocarbons (ppm) Bruderheim * Fort Saskatchewan * Range Road Methane (ppm) Bruderheim * Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Range Road * data was not available for the month FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

61 Table 22: Monthly average hydrocarbons (ppm) in continued Non-methane Hydrocarbons (ppm) Bruderheim * Fort Saskatchewan * Lamont County Range Road * data was not available for the month Figure 10: Annual average HC concentrations (ppm) HC Annual Averages (ppm) Bruderheim Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Range Road Methane (CH4) 2012 Total Hydrocarbon (THC) 2011 Methane (CH4) 2011 Total Hydrocarbon (THC) FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

62 Hydrocarbons (continued) Although the average and maximum hydrocarbon values recorded are similar at the various monitoring sites, it should be noted that Bruderheim measures brief hydrocarbon spikes that the other stations do not. The source has not yet been determined but is likely from a local source. Table 23: 1 hour Maximum hydrocarbons (ppm) in 2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total Hydrocarbons (ppm) Bruderheim * Fort Saskatchewan * Range Road Methane (ppm) Bruderheim * Fort Saskatchewan Lamont County Range Road Non-methane Hydrocarbons (ppm) Bruderheim * Fort Saskatchewan * Lamont County Range Road * data was not available for the month FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

63 Ethylene Ethylene is a naturally occurring compound in ambient air. It is produced at low levels by soil microorganisms, algae, lichens and plants. Other natural sources of ethylene are volcanic activity and combustion in forest and grass fires. In Alberta, the concentration in ambient air resulting from these natural sources is typically low. Anthropogenic sources of ethylene include combustion of fossil fuels, and processing of natural gas in petrochemical facilities (e.g. production of plastics). The AAAQOs for ethylene are: 1-hour average concentration 1044ppb 3-day average 40 ppb Annual mean 26 ppb When air quality monitoring data for 2012 in the FAP region was compared against the AAAQOs for ethylene, it was observed that: There were no exceedances of the AAAQO for ethylene in 2012 The maximum one-hour concentration measured was 813 ppb (78% of the AAAQO) The annual average was highest at Ross Creek at 4.7 ppb (18% of the annual objective) A summary of ethylene concentrations recorded in 2012 at individual stations are presented in the table below. For additional information see also the station by station summaries in the appendices of this report. Table 24: Monthly average ethylene concentrations (ppb) in 2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Range Road Ross Creek Ann Avg FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

64 Ethylene (continued) Figure 11: Annual average Ethylene concentrations (ppb) Ethylene Annual Averages (ppb) Range Road 220 Ross Creek FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

65 Other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, mp-xylenes, total xylene and styrene (BTEX/S) BTEX/S fall into the group of compounds known as non-methane or reactive hydrocarbons discussed earlier in this report. These compounds are typically found in petroleum products, such as gasoline and diesel fuel and have a characteristic strong odour. BTEX/S has been measured on a semi-continuous (four samples per hour) basis at the Scotford 2 AQM station since January The Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives for BTEX/S are as follows: Benzene 1-hr average: 9ppb (C 6 H 6 ) Toluene 1-hour average: 499 ppb (C 6 H 5 CH 3 ) 24-hour average: 106 ppb Ethyl benzene 1-hour average 460 ppb (C 6 H 5 CH 2 CH 3 ) Xylenes 1-hour average 529 ppb o-, m- and p- isomers 24-hour average (C 6 H4(CH 3 )2) 161 ppb Styrene 1-hour average 52 ppb (C 6 H 5 CH=CH 2 ) A new annual average for Benzene was set in 2012: at 0.9ppb When 2012 air quality monitoring data for 2012 was compared against the AAAQOs for BTEX/S, it was observed that: There was one exceedance of the 1-hour AAAQO for Benzene with a 1-hour average recorded value of 9.8 ppb. There were no exceedances for any of the other BTEX/S chemicals. There were no 24-hr AAAQO exceedances for any of the BTEX/S chemicals. The annual average for Benzene in 2012 was 0.14 ppb (15% of the objective) A summary of ethylene concentrations recorded in 2012 at individual stations are presented in the table below. For additional information see also the station by station summaries in the appendices of this report. FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

66 Table 25: Monthly average BTEX/S concentrations (ppb) in 2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Benzene (ppb) 0.42 * Toluene (ppb) 0.10 * Ethylbenzene (ppb) 0.01 * m,p-xylene (ppb) 0.01 * o-xylene (ppb) 0.01 * Styrene (ppb) 0.01 * Xylenes (ppb) 0.02 * * data was not available for the month Figure 12: Annual average BTEX/S concentrations (ppb) BTEX/S Annual Averages (ppb) FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

67 2012 Passive Monitoring Results Sulphur Dioxide Figure 13: 2012 Map of Annual average SO 2 concentrations (ppb) AESRD 30-Day Objective Note: the area of the bubble represents the concentration measured at the geographic center of the bubble, not the geographic area impacted FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

68 W of Hwy 21 N of Ardrossan NE of Bruderheim Waskatenau Thorhild Redwater Bon Accord Gibbons Hu-Haven Fort Augustus North of BA TR 564A & RR 212 Hwy 830 & TR 562 TR 560 & R212 Hwy 830 & TR 560 Hwy45 S Bruderheim RR TR 552 RR TR 552 RR TR 552 Near Lamont Cty Stn E of Josephburg Elk Island W gate W of EINP North of Shell Lamoureaux TR 560 & RR 221 SW of Vinca Bridge NE of Vinca Bridge TR 574 RR 204 S of Redwater Shell NW boundary Degussa TR 552 & RR 225 C&C Tree Farm BA Battery Galloway Seed NE of Gibbons RR TR 572 W of St Michael TR 552 & RR 191 TR 572 & RR 235 Hwy 829 & TR 582 Keyera Chichak site Josephburg SE of Ukranian Vlge Hwy 63 & TR 592 TR 582 & RR 201A TR 200 & RR 602 NE corner of FAP TR 612 & RR 212 NW corner of FAP TR RR 223 TR 592A & RR 233 TR 582 & RR 224 Scotford2 co-locate Partridge Hill TR 534 & RR 210 TWP 534 & RR195 TR 542 & RR 191 Elk Island/Moss Lk SO 2 Concentration (ppb) Figure 14: 2012 Passive monitoring monthly averages: SO 2 (ppb) 6 Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objective - 30-Day SO 2 Objective is Average FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

69 Hydrogen Sulphide Figure 15: 2012 Map of Annual average H 2 S concentrations (ppb) No Alberta Monthly Objective Note: the area of the bubble represents the concentration measured at the geographic center of the bubble, not the geographic area impacted FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

70 NE of Bruderheim Waskatenau Redwater North of BA TR 564A & RR 212 Hwy 830 & TR 562 TR 560 & R212 Hwy 830 & TR 560 Hwy45 S Bruderheim RR TR 552 RR TR 552 RR TR 552 Near Lamont Cty Stn E of Josephburg Elk Island W gate W of EINP North of Shell Lamoureaux TR 560 & RR 221 SW of Vinca Bridge NE of Vinca Bridge TR 574 RR 204 S of Redwater Shell NW boundary Degussa TR 552 & RR 225 C&C Tree Farm BA Battery Galloway Seed NE of Gibbons RR TR 572 W of St Michael TR 552 & RR 191 TR 572 & RR 235 Hwy 829 & TR 582 Keyera Josephburg SE of Ukranian Vlge Hwy 63 & TR 592 TR 582 & RR 201A TR 200 & RR 602 NE corner of FAP TR 612 & RR 212 NW corner of FAP TR RR 223 TR 592A & RR 233 TR 582 & RR 224 Scotford2 co-locate Partridge Hill TR 534 & RR 210 TWP 534 & RR195 TR 542 & RR 191 Elk Island/Moss Lk H 2 S Concentration (ppb) Figure 16: 2012 Passive monitoring monthly averages: H 2 S (ppb) 0.40 Alberta No Ambient 30-Day HAir 2 S Quality Alberta Objective Ambient Air - No Quality 30-Day Objective H 2 S Objective Average FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

71 Nitrogen Dioxide Figure 17: 2012 Map of Annual average NO 2 concentrations (ppb) AESRD Annual Objective 24 ppb Note: the area of the bubble represents the concentration measured at the geographic center of the bubble, not the geographic area impacted FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

72 W of Hwy 21 N of Ardrossan NE of Bruderheim Waskatenau Thorhild Redwater Bon Accord Gibbons Hu-Haven Fort Augustus E of Josephburg TR 552 & RR 225 C&C Tree Farm BA Battery Galloway Seed RR TR 572 W of St Michael TR 552 & RR 191 TR 572 & RR 235 SE of Ukranian Vlge NE corner of FAP NW corner of FAP Fort Sask co-locate Partridge Hill TR 534 & RR 210 TR 542 & RR 191 NO 2 Concentration (ppb) Figure 18: 2012 Passive monitoring monthly averages: NO 2 (ppb) 6 Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objective - No 30-Day NO 2 Objective 2011 Average FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April

73 Ozone Figure 19: 2012 Map of Annual average O 3 concentrations (ppb) No Alberta Monthly Note: the area of the bubble represents the concentration measured at the geographic center of the bubble, not the geographic area impacted FAP Ambient Air Monitoring Network: 2012 Annual Network Report April