Wood Buffalo Environmental Association ANNUAL REPORT 2012 1.0 The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association in 2012 2 1.1 Air Monitoring 3 1.2 Terrestrial Monitoring 4 1.3 Human Monitoring 4 1.4 Alberta’s Air Shed Management Zones 4
2.0 Messages from our President and Executive Director 6 2.1 Message from our President 7 2.2 Message from our Executive Director 8
3.0 Financials 12 3.1 Statement of Revenue and Expenditures 13 3.2 Statement of Changes in Net Assets 14 3.3 Schedule 1 - Contributions 14 3.4 Schedule 2 - Ambient Air Monitoring Expenditures 15 3.5 Schedule 3 - Data Management Expenditures 15 3.6 Schedule 4 - Communications Expenditures 16 3.7 Schedule 5 - Office and Administration Expenditures 16 3.8 Schedule 6 - TEEM Vegetation and Soil Monitoring Expenditures 17 3.9 Schedule 7 - Human Exposure Monitoring Program Expenditures 17
4.0 Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry, and the Environment 18
5.0 Ambient Air Technical Committee 22 5.1 Message from the AATC Program Manager 23 5.2 Atmospheric and Analytical Chemist’s Message 25 5.3 Ambient Air Quality and Meteorological Monitoring Program 26 5.3.1 Meteorological Observations 30 5.3.2 Ambient Air Concentrations 36 5.3.3 Sulphur Dioxide 38 5.3.4 Total Reduced Sulphur and Hydrogen Sulphide and Reduced Sulphur Compounds 40 5.3.5 Hydrocarbons 44 5.3.6 Particulate Matter 54 5.3.7 Ozone 56 5.3.8 Nitrogen Dioxide 58 5.3.9 Ammonia 60 5.3.10 Carbon Monoxide 61 5.3.11 Passive Monitoring 62
5.3.12 Metals and Ions from PM2.5 and PM10 Time Integrated Monitoring 64 5.3.13 References 73 5.4 2012 Air Quality Health Index Values for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo 74
6.0 Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring Program 76 6.1 Introduction 77 6.2 Report on 2012 Activities 80 6.3 Frameworks and Reporting 82 6.4 Selected References 83 6.5 Analysis of Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring (TEEM) Forest Health Samples 84
7.0 Human Exposure Monitoring Program 88 7.1 Message from the HEMP Program Manager 89
8.0 Data Management 91
9.0 Communications 94
10.0 Appendices 97 Appendix I: WBEA Governance Committee Members 98 Appendix II: WBEA Members 98 Appendix III: Glossary of Terms 99 2 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association in 2012 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 3
An Air Quality Task Force was established in 1985 to address environmental concerns related to oil sands development raised by the Fort McKay First Nation. In 1990, this Task Force became the Regional Air Quality Coordinating Committee which, in 1996, was endorsed by the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA) as a regional airshed. In 1998, the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) assumed responsibility for air quality monitoring in the regional airshed aligned with the boundary of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), including the Athabasca Oil Sands.
WBEA operates the largest airshed in the largest municipality in Canada. Today, as an independent, community-based, not-for-profit association, WBEA monitors the air in the RMWB 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. WBEA does this through a variety of air, land and human monitoring programs. The information collected from WBEA’s 15 air monitoring stations between Anzac and Fort Chipewyan - most located at or near oil sands plants - is openly and continuously shared with stakeholders and the public on our website www.wbea.org and through Community Reports and outreach activities. OUR VISION, MISSION AND VALUES: VISION: State of the art air monitoring system that meets the needs of residents and stakeholders in the Wood Buffalo Region. MISSION: The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association monitors air quality and air quality related environmental impacts to generate accurate and transparent information which enables stakeholders to make informed decisions. VALUES: • We are dedicated to utilizing best practices in all we do. • We will provide accurate and accessible data on a timely basis. • We will provide credible and useful information. • We believe in open and transparent communication. • We value effective stakeholder participation in fulfilling our mandate. • We recognize and respect Traditional Environmental Knowledge. • We support consensus based decision making. • We value our relationship with industry and work to having WBEA the forum to fulfill regulatory compliance for air monitoring.
1.1 Air Monitoring
All WBEA air monitoring data are fully quality-assured and then sent within four weeks of month-end to the Clean Air Strategic Alliance Data Warehouse (CASA)(www.casadata.org), an on-line database for all of Alberta’s air monitoring data. WBEA operates 15 permanent air monitoring stations, one portable station and one mobile monitoring station. WBEA uses continuous, time-integrated and passive techniques to measure air quality in the airshed.
WBEA’s air quality data are used by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD) to calculate the hourly Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), which is one measure of air quality. WBEA transmits raw data, in real time, to AESRD where the index is calculated. The AQHI is calculated every hour for four Community Air Monitoring Stations in Wood Buffalo: Athabasca Valley, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay, and Fort McKay South. 4 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
1.2 Terrestrial Monitoring
The Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring (TEEM) program monitors and reports on certain possible effects of air emissions on terrestrial ecosystems and plant life. TEEM does this through an integrated suite of measurements of air emission sources linked to terrestrial receptors. TEEM’s monitoring work is centered upon a regional network of forest health and peatland monitoring sites. These sites were established to detect early warning of change in key indicators and medium- to long-term detection and quantification of effect or impact. TEEM also operates a Traditional Environmental Knowledge project focused on berry health.
1.3 Human Monitoring
The Human Exposure Monitoring Program (HEMP) is focused on better understanding the frequency and nature of regional odours. It does this through an array of specialized air analyzers designed to chemically characterize odour events.
1.4 Alberta’s Airshed Management Zones
Airshed zones are established by local stakeholders to deal with air quality issues in a specific region. CASA provides the framework within which an airshed zone functions, but each airshed operates independently, as a non-profit society. The WBEA airshed is the largest in the country, covering approximately 68,000 square kilometers.
Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) (www.wbea.org) covers approximately 68,000 km2 including Fort McMurray, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay, Anzac, Conklin and Janvier and several oil sands developers, located in north eastern Alberta. WBEA’s monitoring network comprises 15 fixed and 23 passive sites.
Fort Air Partnership (FAP) (www.fortair.org) monitors air quality in a 4,500 km2 region north east of Edmonton that includes Fort Saskatchewan, Gibbons, Bon Accord, Bruderheim, Lamont, Redwater, Waskatenau, Thorhild and Elk Island National Park.
Parkland Airshed Management Zone (PAMZ) (www.pamz.org) encompasses a 42,000 km2 area of west central Alberta including Rocky Mountain House, Sundre, Banff and the city of Red Deer.
Palliser Airshed Society (PAS) (www.palliserairshed.ca) covers 40,000 km2 which parallels the Palliser Health Region and includes the city of Medicine Hat and the town of Redcliff.
Peace Airshed Zone Association (PASZA) (www.pasza.ca) covers an area of 38,500 km2 in north-western Alberta bordered on the north by the Peace River and including the communities of Grand Prairie and High Prairie.
West Central Airshed Society (WCAS) (www.wcas.ca) covers 46,000 km2 in mid-Alberta, including the communities of Jasper, Hinton, Edson, Lake Wabamun, Drayton Valley, Pigeon Lake and surrounding regions.
Lakeland Industry & Community Association (LICA) (www.lica.ca) an area of 18,000 km2 in east central Alberta serves the Bonnyville, Cold Lake and St. Paul region.
The Calgary Region Airshed Zone (CRAZ) (www.craz.ca) encompasses an area that approximately follows the boundaries of the Calgary Health Region except for the northern border which is defined by the southern border of the Parkland Airshed Management Zone. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 5
Wood Buffalo Environmental Association
Peace Airshed Zone Association
Lakeland Industry & Community Fort Air Association Partnership
West Central Alberta Capital Airshed Society Airshed Alliance (CASA endorsement pending)
Parkland Airshed Management Zone
Calgary Region Airshed Zone Palliser Airshed Society
Alberta’s Airshed Management Zones. 6 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Messages from our President and Executive Director WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 7
2.1 President’s Message 2012 was another year of growth and change for WBEA. We bid adieu to our long-serving President, Ann Dort MacLean, and wish her all the best in her continuing community work with Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta. We look forward to her ongoing engagement as the Board representative for the Fort McMurray Environmental Association.
The WBEA Governance Committee was extremely busy during 2012 providing monthly oversight and guidance to the Executive Director and his staff. Particular focus was placed on stakeholder engagement, review of business practices, policies and procedures, and issues of governance related to the Joint Canada/Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring (JOSM), announced on February 1st. The Governance Committee reported routinely to the full WBEA Board at its quarterly meetings, as did the Ambient Air Technical Committee (AATC), the Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring Program (TEEM), the Human Exposure Monitoring Program (HEMP), the Executive Director (administration/ financials), as well as the Communications and Data Management Programs.
Our program committees continued to oversee work plans approved by the Board and executed/managed by WBEA’s in-house staff. Progress against the WBEA 2011-2015 Strategic Plan strategic goals was measured and reported at the December 2012 Board meeting.
Overall, 2012 was the fifth in a series of increased annual work plans and associated budgets, required under the science enhancement to meet stakeholder needs and member expectations. Despite the increased scope of work, monitoring performance actually increased over that measured in 2011. At the close of 2012, some direction was received from both governments (federal and provincial) with regard to WBEA’s role, going forward, under JOSM, and we look forward to more clarity on our role beginning in 2013.
As your new President, I look forward to yet another year of WBEA serving member needs as well as playing a key role in addressing the four science questions articulated under JOSM.
Diane Phillips WBEA President
Diane Phillips, WBEA President, left, and Executive Director, A ceremony was held in the community of Fort McKay, in May Dr. Kevin Percy, right, welcome Alberta Environment and 2012, to rename WBEA’s Air Monitoring Station in honour of the Sustainable Resource Development Minister, the Hon. Diana late Bertha Ganter, an environmental advocate for Fort McKay. McQueen, centre left, and Environment Canada Minister, the Hon. Peter Kent, centre right, to WBEA’s Monitoring Station in Timberlea, Fort McMurray, in 2012. 8 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
2.2 Executive Director’s Message 2012 was yet another year of change and evolution in the 15-year history of the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) as the organization delivered on the 2012 milestones articulated within the WBEA Strategic Plan 2011-2015.
MEMBERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE WBEA welcomed a new Member, Sunshine Oil Sands Ltd., in 2012. The WBEA Board elected a new President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and a Director. Internally, WBEA hired a new air technical staff member to work on the growing air network. WBEA staff worked, with monthly Governance Committee oversight, to enhance efficiency in human resources and administrative procedures, including revised employee procedures/ guidelines, standardized employee performance appraisal processes, contracting procedures, succession planning and deployment of a health and safety program. WBEA Members and staff during a site visit to AMS 1 Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay.
WORKING WITH PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS On February 1, 2012, the Joint Canada/Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring (JOSM) was announced by Canada’s Environment Minister, the Hon. Peter Kent, and Alberta’s Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Minister, the Hon. Diana McQueen. The role of WBEA under this new Agency is yet to be determined. WBEA has had collaborative monitoring projects underway with both Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD), since 1997, and with Environment Canada (EC) since 2010, under a joint Memorandum of Understanding.
Amongst many notable visitors hosted by WBEA in 2012, were EC Minister Kent and AESRD Minister McQueen who toured WBEA’s Field Operations Centre and Air Monitoring Station 6, in Timberlea, pictured, on July 16th. Through ongoing engagement with both Governments, WBEA began working to assist, as required, in the implementation of the government-led JOSM Plan.
On October 17, 2012, Minister McQueen announced the formation of the new Alberta Environmental Monitoring Agency. The role of WBEA under this new Agency is yet to be determined. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 9
WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY OF FORT MCKAY On May 19th, a community-based ceremony was held in Fort McKay. The WBEA Air Monitoring Station, AMS 1, was renamed “Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay” in honour of the late environmental advocate Bertha Ganter.
Also in Fort McKay, the WBEA Traditional Environmental Knowledge (TEK) project funded under the Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring (TEEM) Program moved from the workshop phase, in 2011, to field sampling of berries locally and at Moose Lake, in 2012. Fort McKay Left: WBEA Director Dan Stuckless, left, and James Grandjambe, a member of the WBEA-Fort McKay Berry Focus Group, with a community members who belong to the Berry Focus commemorative plaque honoring Bertha Ganter. Group participated, along with two WBEA staff, and the project received essential cooperation from the Fort Right: Darrell Martindale, Shell Canada Ltd., and Theresa McKay Sustainability Department. Several field trips and Grandjambe, Fort McKay community member, attended the an extended trip to Moose Lake to observe and pick renaming ceremony. berries and share traditional berry information were undertaken in 2012, with plans soon to be launched for the 2013 season.
AMBIENT AIR TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (AATC) The AATC met monthly and there were many achievements in 2012. The external scientific peer review of WBEA’s air monitoring network was completed by Canadian and US experts. A two-day Network Assessment Workshop was held in March and Members prioritized recommendations received for future action. A follow-on Particulate Matter (PM) Workshop was then held in September to consider the emerging importance of PM measurement in the region. Overall, in 2012 our monthly network performance averaged 98.5% data recovery from over 100 analyzers. Participants in WBEA’s Particulate Matter Workshop, Fort McMurray, September 2012.
TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS MONITORING (TEEM) PROGRAM The TEEM Committee, along with science advisors, met quarterly. Among many achievements, significant progress was made on chemical analysis of the thousands of soil and vegetation samples collected during the 2011 intensive Forest Health Survey. Uploading TEEM historical data into the Data Management System is underway. Two new interior stand forest health plots were installed, bringing the number of plots for measurement on a six year cycle to 25. Eighteen new forest edge plots, one Right: WBEA Technicians Kendra Thomas and Sarah Eaton collect passive air samples from WBEA monitoring station R2. In of which is pictured, were installed for early warning addition to passive air samples, R2 also provides meteorological measurement on a three-year cycle. Air and deposition data such as precipitation and temperature. monitoring with passive plates and ion exchange resins continued and a fifth 30 meter meteorological tower was installed in the Forest Health Network. The wetland bog indicator project was extended for a fourth year allowing for full evaluation of monitoring tools. 10 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
HUMAN EXPOSURE MONITORING PROGRAM (HEMP) The HEMP Committee met quarterly and elected a new Chair and Alternate Chair. The program continued to focus on gaining a better understanding of odours through operation of specialized analyzers alongside WBEA’s compliance- based analyzers. Reports from the Pneumatically-Focused Gas Chromatograph, for co-measurement of sulphur and volatile organic compounds, and the electronic nose, for calculation of odour units, were accepted and new knowledge gained. Consideration of a community-based odour panel project was initiated.
DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (DMS) The WBEA DMS capacity was significantly enhanced in 2012. The main server was moved to a secure facility in Calgary and two backup servers installed. The electronic library of historical information/knowledge received attention. An interface for user-created reports, to allow rapid access of all historical/current integrated data, was created and entered beta testing. An intensive evaluation of all software/hardware systems, which were taken in-house in 2011 along with air network operations, was completed. Data forms allowing entry of all TEEM data were created and are now in use. New interfaces have been added to the DMS to allow for data access for other purposes, such as the Emergency Air Monitoring and Assessment System (EAMAS).
WBEA COMMUNICATIONS Communications and outreach has become an important activity within WBEA. Local and regional stakeholders were informed about air quality through Community Reports, advertising, attendance at trade shows, electronic newsletters and electronic signs streaming the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). A new AQHI app and a mobile version of our website were introduced. Many visitors toured WBEA facilities in 2012. National outreach took WBEA to Toronto where we hosted a booth and spoke about our monitoring work with visitors at the ten day Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. WBEA’s website continues to provide access to streaming air quality data, hourly updated AQHI numbers and many reports from our Committees and scientists.
The WBEA booth at the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair, Toronto, November 2012. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 11
WBEA PUBLISHES TEXT OF NINETEEN PEER REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC PAPERS
In late 2012, WBEA published the text book Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the Environment. The book is available online, including from Elsevier (www.elsevier.com) and Amazon.ca. Nineteen scientific papers present results of the research conducted by WBEA’s multi-disciplinary team of over 35 scientists in air, terrestrial and human exposure monitoring. These papers demonstrate WBEA’s focus on conducting “practical” science that can add to the knowledge base of regional decision makers.
Left: Dr. Kevin Percy, DEVELOPMENTS IN Executive Director, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 1111 reviews scientific Series Editor: S.V. Krupa data with some members of WBEA’s Receptor Modeling AALBERLBERTA OIILL SANDSSANDS team at Atmospheric Research & Analysis (ARA), Raleigh, NC, USA. Left to right: Dr. Percy, Dr. Sagar Krupa (U. of Minnesota), Eric Edgerton (ARA) seated, Dr. Karsten Baumann (ARA) standing, and Dr. Matt Landis.
Right: WBEA published Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the KEVIN E. PERCY Environment, in November 2012.
IN SUMMARY At WBEA we look forward, in 2013, to continuing to deliver upon our Member’s vision of a high quality scientific monitoring program for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. At the same time we expect to gain clarification on WBEA’s role within the Joint Canada/Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring and then the Alberta Environmental Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting Agency.
Dr. Kevin Percy Executive Director 12 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Financials WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 13
3.1 Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Statement of Revenue and Expenditures
For the year ended December 31, 2012 2012 2011 Revenue Contributions (Schedule 1) 10,740,504 9,517,566 Grant 129,013 122,640 Interest and other income 13,584 31,489 In-kind contributions 233,150 Amortization of deferred capital contributions 20,000 20,000 11,136,251 9,691,695 Expenditures Ambient air monitoring (Schedule 2) 2,685,758 2,329,742 Data Management (Schedule 3) 346,599 251,568 Communications (Schedule 4) 313,047 335,400 Office and administration (Schedule 5) 2,118,998 2,785,688 Terrestrial environmental effects monitoring (Schedule 6) 2,771,444 2,258,331 Human exposure monitoring program (Schedule 7) 333,096 297,108 8,568,942 8,257,837
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenditures before amortization 2,567,309 1,433,858
Contributions repayable expense (2,211,880) Amortization (516,899) (412,120) In-kind expenditures (233,150) (2,961,929) (412,120)
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenditures (394,620) 1,021,738
“Financials are presented as results from 2012 Meyers Norris Penny LLP audit.” 14 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
3.2 Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Capital asset For the Investment replacement year ended in capital capital Internally Total Total December 31, 2012 assets Contributed reserve restricted Unrestricted 2012 2011 Balance, beginning of year 2,093,103 34,358 2,817,295 4,944,756 3,923,018 Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenditures - - - - (394,620) (394,620) 1,021,738 Transfer from internally restricted net assets - - - 2,000,000 (2,000,000) - - Amortization of capital assets internally funded (496,899) - - - 496,899 - - Capital assets acquired from internal funds 919,574 - - - (919,574) - - Balance, end of year 2,515,778 34,358 - 2,000,000 - 4,550,136 4,944,756
3.3 Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Schedule 1 - Contributions
2012 2011 Contributions Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. 909,155 811,056 Cenovus Energy 236,639 155,056 ConocoPhilips Canada 118,385 67,513 Devon Canada 191,775 173,655 Hammerstone Corp. 5,250 Husky Energy 102,436 92,757 Imperial Oil 563,656 510,397 MEG Energy 100,102 90,643 Nexen Inc. 673,205 596,322 Shell Canada Ltd. 1,330,852 1,182,070 Statoil 263,221 Suncor Energy Inc. 3,764,704 3,376,693 Sunshine Oilsands Ltd. 5,250 Syncrude Canada Ltd. 2,812,892 2,514,590 Total E & P Canada Ltd. 194,757 417,523 Williams Energy 5,250 5,169 Less: Goods and Services Tax included in contributions (537,025) (475,878) 10,740,504 9,517,566
“Financials are presented as results from 2012 Meyers Norris Penny LLP audit.” WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 15
3.4 Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Schedule 2 - Ambient Air Monitoring Expenditures
2012 2011 Expenditures Air Monitoring Van 20,315 19,502 Ambient mercury monitoring 5,442
Ammonia analyzer - NH3 330 3,183 Audits (QA/QC, Compliance, AQM Network) 77,621 81,943 Auto computer controlled wet precip 14,478 43,225
Dicot PM2.5 and PM10 19,474 1,038 Field operation center- occupancy 333,759 Lab analysis 459,729 450,340 Operational Expense (Insurance, Station Utilities) 90,924 84,958 Operations and maintenance – extra 119,840 116,028 Operations and maintenance – regular 1,543,846 1,282,941 Passive monitoring analysis 41,268 Passive monitoring collection 205,316 2,685,758 2,329,742
3.5 Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Schedule 3 - Data Management Expenditures
2012 2011 Expenditures AQM Network - DMS Interface 593 Hosting and management 294,899 157,602 Miscellaneous 482 2,566 Statistical method - data processing 50,625 91,400 346,599 251,568
“Financials are presented as results from 2012 Meyers Norris Penny LLP audit.” 16 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
3.6 Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Schedule 4 - Communication Expenditures
2012 2011 Communications Advertising (radio, newspaper, billboard) 96,632 110,840 Air Information Line 12,000 12,116 Air pollution workshop 89,716 Communication materials 71,794 47,928 Community Relations 16,295 11,579 Conference attendance 29,148 5,400 Media training 13,395 12,296 Reports (Community report, annual report) 58,835 28,895 Signage 4,508 Website maintenance 10,440 16,630 313,047 335,400
3.7 Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Schedule 5 - Office and Administration Expenditures
2012 2011 Administration and personnel Salary and professional fees 1,254,446 1,834,918 Employee benefits 142,399 83,310
Office expenses Bank charges and interest 3,686 2,177 Computer and other expenses 5,321 4,397 Conferences and meetings 37,220 28,829 Insurance 22,149 21,363 Miscellaneous/Administration Vehicle 26,653 16,911 Occupancy Costs - Thickwood 203,745 249,940 Occupancy Costs - Taiganova 147,103 Office equipment lease 22,701 28,096 Office, Postage and stationery 25,864 31,268 Professional Fees (audit and legal) 132,193 37,890 Repairs and maintenance 23,096 86,075 Telephone, fax and internet 87,805 84,460 Stakeholder involvement 18,602 13,384 Travel 113,118 115,567 2,118,998 2,785,688
“Financials are presented as results from 2012 Meyers Norris Penny LLP audit.” WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 17
3.8 Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Schedule 6 - TEEM Vegetation and Soil Monitoring Expenditures
2012 2011 Expenditures Ambient ion monitoring (URG) 41,823 71,959 Deposition model calibration- Lichens 87,190 92,735 Deposition velocity measurement- COTAG 89,749 42,491 Ecological analogue/site selection 86,584 Forest health monitoring 822,562 764,631
Passive monitoring (IER,HNO3, NH4) 191,832 250,893 Peatland monitoring 239,924 271,821 Procedure manual 14,936 Reports 5,675 Routine passive monitoring 363,004
Roving continuous O3 monitoring 9,657 Source characterization 442,691 197,336 Stable isotopes 153,800 15,000 Traditional resources TEK 55,947 1,556 Tower instrumentation 232,800 435,367 Workshops 44,447 3,365 2,771,444 2,258,331
3.9 Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Schedule 7 - Human Exposure Monitoring Program Expenditures
2012 2011 Expenditures Labour and professional fees 73,530 Odour Measurement (OdoTech) 22,399 63,250 Odour Measurement (VOC) 237,167 219,418 Meetings/Administration 14,440 333,096 297,108
“Financials are presented as results from 2012 Meyers Norris Penny LLP audit.” 18 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry, and the Environment WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 19
WBEA PUBLISHES ATHABASCA OIL SANDS REGION ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING RESULTS IN SCIENCE TEXT IN 2012 The nineteen scientific papers contained in the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association’s (WBEA) peer-reviewed text, Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry, and the Environment, provide results of WBEA’s 2008-2012 science-enhanced monitoring work. This volume is number 11 in the Elsevier publishing house series Developments in Environmental Science.
The impetus for this book was the International Symposium and 43rd Air Pollution Workshop that WBEA hosted in 2011 in Fort McMurray. At that time results of the research being conducted by WBEA’s multi-disciplinary team of over 35 scientists were presented.
The book covers the following topics: AIR QUALITY IN THE RMWB • WBEA continuously monitors air quality at 15 stations located throughout the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), using over 100 specialized air pollutant analyzers. Results from this monitoring, in 2012, are presented in the book.
ODOURS IN THE RMWB • Odours are a source of concern and a quality of life issue for some residents in the RMWB and for the community of Fort McKay. Volatile organic compounds and a variety of sulphur compounds can be a source of these odour episodes. WBEA has been attempting to better measure these compounds. Chemical identification of odour causing compounds is an important step towards stakeholder odour management.
REAL WORLD EMISSIONS MEASUREMENT • It is important to accurately characterize and quantify what is being emitted into the WBEA airshed. Using portable on-board devices, WBEA measured “real-world” emissions from the 400 ton heavy haulers during actual mine operations. These data are now being used by mine operators to inform operational decisions, such as decreasing idling time, thus reducing amounts of key air pollutants emitted. This is the first time on-board monitoring of heavy haulers has ever been done in the world.
WBEA “real world” emission data from heavy haulers are being used in a number of ways by mine operators. 20 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
• “Real-world” emissions rates and emission factors resulting from WBEA’s heavy hauler and stack testing, for hundreds of inorganic and organic air pollutants, have generated new knowledge that can be used to improve accuracy in emissions databases. This is essential to regulatory and environmental impact assessment processes in our region. • The on-board, portable emissions measurement system, developed specifically for this work, may be modified so that it can become a permanent fixture on each heavy hauler, allowing for ongoing adjustments to operating protocols, fuel mixtures, etc., and further reducing emissions.
FOREST HEALTH APPROACH • WBEA’s approach to tracing the fate of industrial air emissions and assessing the health of regional boreal forests, which receive those emissions, is documented in the book. The methodology relates changes in forest health to stressors such as air pollution and climate change.
SULPHUR AND NITROGEN IN LICHENS • The contribution of inorganic air pollutant emissions to atmospheric deposition in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) was investigated in the surrounding boreal forests, using commonly occurring lichen as a bio- indicator species. Sulphur and nitrogen contents in lichens collected at 359 sites, located up to 150 km from the emission sources, were mapped and then compared to sulphur and nitrogen deposition predicted by air pollutant dispersion models.
MERCURY • Concentrations of mercury in lichen were compared to background values measured in previous studies, from other areas.
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHS) • Concentrations and the relative abundance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in lichens were measured and compared with results from similar studies in other areas, such as Europe. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 21
ISOTOPE WORK • Lead isotope analysis of lichen tissues was used to separate contributions from natural and industrial sources. Spatial analysis indicated three main trace element groupings: - A crustal earth source related to oil sands mining - An oil processing source - A grouping related to biogeochemical processes at the lichen sites
SOURCE APPORTIONMENT THROUGH RECEPTOR MODELING • Source Apportionment is a tool used to estimate contributions of emissions, from multiple natural and man-made sources, to pollutant concentrations. Forensic data (mathematical and/or statistical) analysis tools called receptor models are applied to extract information on the sources of air pollutants from the measured concentrations at receptor locations. WBEA employed Source Apportionment to link air emissions to pollution in receptors on the landscape.
This volume, demonstrates WBEA’s sustained focus on increasing the credible science underpinning our monitoring.
The text is available for sale online including at Elsevier (www.elsevier.com) and at Amazon.ca.
Jane Percy, WBEA Communications
Air emissions from mining and upgrading are among the sources contributing pollutant deposition to receptor forest ecosystems. 22 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Ambient Air Techical Committee WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 23
5.1 Message from the Ambient Air Technical Committee (AATC) Program Manager The key deliverable for the air monitoring program is to monitor air quality and air quality related environmental indicators/impacts, and to generate accurate and transparent information that enables stakeholders to make informed decisions.
The WBEA ambient air program has 7 sub-programs that are regularly reviewed for alignment with the deliverable objectives of the WBEA Strategic Plan. Alignment with the Joint Canada - Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring (JOSM) was also a consideration. Objectives for the ambient air program are:
• Collect air quality data for assessment by approval holders, regulators, community users and JOSM. • Maintain high quality measurement and data sets in support of user needs which involves the application of quality control/protocols to all monitoring and measuring programs. • Ensure comprehensive documentation and open reporting which includes having a complete assessable library of documentation in paper and electronic form. • Be in compliance with the Alberta Air Monitoring Directive (AMD).
The links to JOSM (http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/8704.pdf plan) are:
• Table 1- Air Quality Implementation Plan Ambient Air Quality Element Activities: (1) Ambient Air Monitoring: continuation and expansion of ambient monitoring network, consistent with the Integrated Monitoring Plan (2) Fixed Platforms: Installation of 7 ecosystem transformation and deposition sites in and around the oil sands area (3) Monitoring Pollutant Transformation: continue seasonal studies on pollutant transformation (4) Focused Studies: continuous measurement of atmospheric visibility (5) Point Sources: Additional monitoring to address gaps in emission inventories. • Table 2 - Water Implementation Plan Activities: (1) Snow/ Wet Deposition: Wet precipitation sites co-located with 3 WBEA sites (AMS 5, 11, 13). • Data Management – Work to allow open and transparent access to data.
There were many AATC activities in 2012; the following is a list of some of these activities:
• The recommendations in the network evaluation report were discussed and prioritized in a WBEA Member’s workshop in March 2012. • A symposium on particulate matter sampling and network design was held in September 2012. The objectives for a multi-purpose design integrated sampling program were identified by Members. Specifically, the network design objectives were to provide information for approvals, exposure levels, ecosystem health, source apportionment, and environmental impact assessments. • WBEA renamed air monitoring station 1 in Fort McKay to Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay in memory of Fort McKay Elder, Bertha Ganter, who was dedicated to environmental concerns in the community. • AATC Members initiated discussions with communities and organizations for a monitoring plan for the southern part of the airshed zone. • AATC proactively approached all levels of government, industry and communities to join or be more active on the AATC committee. • Qualitative and quantitative key performance indicators were established to measure the monitoring program’s continual improvement and the WBEA Strategic Plan goals. 24 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
• WBEA continued to work with Environment Canada (EC) on a number of regional monitoring initiatives which include: - Operation of a Total Gaseous Mercury analyzer and sun photometer at Patricia McInnes air monitoring station (AMS 6), in Fort McMurray; - An air toxics study comprising passive Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PAC), installed at nine remote passive sites and six sites co-located with continuous stations; - PAC, particulate and 2 precipitation samplers at the Mannix (AMS 5), Lower Camp (AMS 11) and Fort McKay South (AMS 13) air monitoring stations; - Volatile organic compound (VOC) sampling on an every 6 day frequency at Fort McKay South (AMS 13) air monitoring station; operation of a continuous BTEX analyzer at the Bertha WBEA’s Air Monitoring Station 7 - Athabasca Valley, located in Ganter-Fort McKay (AMS 1) air downtown Fort McMurray. monitoring station. • An automated Sequential Precipitation Sampler was installed at the Patricia McInnes air monitoring station. This equipment will provide event based rain and snow sampling. The samples are analyzed at the University of Michigan for wet precipitation chemistry data for major and minor ions and mercury. • An automated Sequential Dichotomous Sampler was employed at the Bertha Ganter- Fort McKay air monitoring station to detect and characterize fine and coarse particulate matter (PM). The samples are analyzed for ionic and metal species using two analytical methods, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF). During the initial phase of the program, 400 daily sample filters were collected.
Continuous ambient air quality and meteorological data are collected through a program administered by the WBEA’s AATC. In 2012, WBEA was operating 15 continuous monitoring stations, each measuring from 3 to 10 air quality parameters. The continuously measured air quality
parameters include CH4, CO, H2S, NMHC, NH3, NO, NO2,
NOX, O3, PM2.5, SO2, THC and TRS. All sites also measure temperature, wind speed and wind direction. Selected sites measure relative humidity, barometric pressure, global radiation, precipitation, dew point, surface wetness and vertical temperature gradient.
The WBEA also maintains and operates a mobile monitoring van and portable monitoring stations,
equipped to measure H2S, NH3, NO, NO2, NOX, PM2.5, O3,
SO2, THC, wind speed, wind direction, temperature and GPS location. The unit is available to WBEA members, facility-associated monitoring, or can be deployed for emergencies or for public monitoring in areas of special need or interest.
Since 1998 WBEA has maintained integrated sampling
for PM2.5, PM10, VOC and PAH. The samplers are exposed to ambient air for 24 hours and the sampling schedule is based on the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program. Specifically, measurements in the WBEA’s network include:
(1) PM2.5 samplers to collect PM2.5 mass, ionic and The Sampling Deck at AMS 6 Patricia McInnes, Timberlea, metal analysis Fort McMurray holds integrated samplers. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 25
(2) PM10 samplers to collect PM10 mass, ionic and metal analysis (3) Summa canisters for VOC (volatile organic compounds) and RSC (reduced sulfur compounds) analysis (4) A sampling medium consisting of a PUF (poly-urethane foam) plug and a glass fiber filter to collect semi-volatile organic compounds for PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) analysis (5) A wet precipitation collector for wet precipitation chemistry
(6) PM2.5 samplers to collect PM2.5 for mass, elemental and organic carbon content
WBEA expanded its capacity to provide short-term air monitoring studies via a portable trailer that can be deployed to key locations in the region. In 2012, the new portable monitoring trailer was deployed at Surmont and Christina Lake industrial facilities and the community of Conklin.
In summary, AATC continued efforts to improve and expand the current monitoring program to provide data for informed decision making by the end users. WBEA conducted ambient air quality monitoring in the Sanjay Prasad community of Conklin, with a portable monitoring unit, from May AATC Program Manager 5th until October 10th, 2012.
5.2 Atmospheric and Analytical Chemist’s Message Work continued throughout 2012 on the Ambient Ion Monitor used to semi- continuously measure gas species (hydrogen chloride, nitrous acid, nitric acid and ammonia) and particulate species (chloride, nitrate, sulfate, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and ammonium). This analyzer yields hourly ambient air data that improves our understanding of secondary aerosol formation and photochemical reaction in the Alberta Oil Sands Region.
To better understand the air quality in this region, work has also been done with the integrated data, e.g., annual
report for AATC integrated measurements, including PM2.5, PM10, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), precipitation
chemistry, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), passive measurements of O3 (ozone), SO2 (sulphur dioxide) and
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide). In October 2012, one presentation was given at the 31st American Association for Aerosol Research in Minneapolis, Minnesota:
• “Application of an Ambient Ion Monitor in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region” Recent results of a semi-continuous ambient ion monitor (AIM) being used by WBEA to monitor low ambient concentrations of ammonia, hydrogen
chloride, nitrous acid, nitric acid and sulfur dioxide, and water-soluble aerosol species of PM2.5 are discussed. Higher ammonium and nitrate concentrations were identified during the forest fire period.
Dr. Yu-Mei Hsu WBEA Atmospheric and Analytical Chemist 26 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
5.3 Ambient Air Quality and Meteorological Monitoring Program
Ambient air quality is monitored in a variety of modes by the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association.
Continuous monitoring is performed using electronic instrumentation. Atmospheric gas concentrations are measured by parameter-specific electronic analyzers housed in stationary, industrial-style shelters. Concentrations are determined inside analyzers by subjecting the air sample to processes in which measureable changes of physical and/or chemical properties in an analyzer’s component are in proportion to the amount of gas in the air sample. Meteorological parameters are measured with sensors mounted on meteorological towers, with standard heights of 10 meters, and 20 meters in forested areas. Tower with heights of 75 and 167 meters, with an expanded program of meteorological measurements, existed in 2012 at two locations. Work commenced in 2012 on extending the 75 m tower to 90 m. Air quality analyzer and meteorological sensor signals are measured approximately once per second by a computerized data acquisition system, and processed into data every 5 minutes, 1 hour and 24 hours, depending on the parameter and data requirements. Continuous monitoring sites are equipped with permanent electrical power, heating and air conditioning systems, and telephone and internet connections.
Non-continuous monitoring consists of collecting air samples or exposing pollutant-sensitive, chemically treated sample media to the atmosphere for a period of time. Air pollutant concentrations are determined by laboratory analysis of the samples and exposed media. Exposure periods range from 24 hours to 1 month for various sample modes. Non- continuous monitoring is often referred to as integrated sampling, and is performed by active and passive methods. Active methods utilize computer controlled equipment to initiate and terminate exposure, and draw air through or into the sample collector. Active methods are limited to sites of continuous monitoring, where electrical power and computerized control are available. Passive methods simply expose a chemically treated medium to the atmosphere. Without the need for support equipment, passive sampling can be performed at remote and isolated locations.
The map on the facing page shows locations of ambient air quality monitoring sites. Continuous monitoring sites are located in areas of development, primarily along the Athabasca River valley. Passive sites are located throughout the region, including remote areas.
Note that in 2011 the name of AMS 13 was changed from Syncrude UE-1 to Fort McKay South by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD). The 2011 report retained the old name, the current report for 2012 uses the new name. Also note that the name of AMS 1 was changed from Fort McKay to Bertha Ganter – Fort McKay in May 2012. This report uses the new name throughout.
WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 27 ¦
AMS 8 BM7 Fort Chipewyan Located 54 km North
JP107 #JP205
#BM11
AMS 10 AMS 9 AMS 16 BM10 # AMS 15 NE11 %, , , AMS 1 ,#, Fort MacKay AMS 11 NE7 WF4# %, JP104 R2 AH8-R AMS 13 # # JP212 JP213 ,, # # AMS 2 , Chipewyan Lake AMS 3 # AMS 4 , , # AMS 12 AMS 5 JP102 #AH7 AMS 6 %, AMS 7 %,# AH3 #JP108 Fort McMurray # NE10 JP101
AMS 14 # %,# Gregoire Lake Estates Anzac #JP316 #JP210 SM8 &- ConocoPhillips - Surmont ( AMS 101)
Janvier #
Conklin ( AMS 101)
#SM7 ¦ Conklin &-# &- Cenovus - Christina Lake ( AMS 101)
01020304050 Kilometers
Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Legend &- Portable Monitoring Station - AMS 101 # Passive Monitor %, Air Monitoring Stations # Community WBEA Air Monitoring Network WBEA Boundary 28 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
INTRODUCTION - CONTINUOUS AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING There were 7 stations in the WBEA continuous ambient air quality monitoring network when operations commenced in December 1997 (Table 1). An 8th station was commissioned in July 1998. Ambient air quality monitoring was conducted prior to December 1997 at a number of locations in the region, but the current summary is limited to data collected and processed to the quality standard of the WBEA mandate. Stations have been added to the network since 1998 (Table 2) in response to growth of industrial activity in the area and additional stakeholder needs. It is important to note that not all continuous air quality parameters have been measured at every location. Results are presented by stations grouped as industrial and community, based on the setting in which they are located.
Table 1. Parameters measured continuously at the 8 original stations monitoring air quality since WBEA’s first year of operation in 1998. The locale or station setting is also indicated.
parameter and year of first monitoring
SO2 NO2 O3 PM2.5 H2S TRS THC CH4 NMHC CO NH3 station commissioned locale 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 2012 2012 1997 2006
+ Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) 1997 community O O O O O O O O O Mildred Lake (AMS 2) 1997 industrial O O O *Lower Camp (AMS 3, AMS 11) 1997 industrial O O O Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4) 1997 industrial O O O Mannix (AMS 5) 1997 industrial O O O Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 1997 community O O O O O O O Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) 1997 community O O O O O O O O O Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) 1998 community O O O O**
* Lower Camp air quality monitoring equipment was relocated a few hundred meters from the original location in 2000 and renamed from AMS 3 to AMS 11.
** Particulate matter (PM2.5) monitoring commenced at AMS 8 in 2001. + renamed from ‘Fort McKay (AMS 1)’ in May 2012.
Table 2. Parameters measured continuously at stations commissioned after WBEA’s first year of operation in 1998.
parameter and year of first monitoring
SO2 NO2 O3 PM2.5 H2S TRS THC CH4 NMHC CO NH3 station commissioned locale 2000 2000 2002 2000 n/a 2000 2000 2012 2012 n/a n/a
Barge Landing (AMS 9) 2000 industrial O O * Albian Mine Site (AMS 10) 2000 industrial O O O O Millennium Mine (AMS 12) 2001 industrial O O O O O **Fort McKay South (AMS 13) 2002 industrial O O O O O O Anzac (AMS 14) 2006 community O O O O O O O O CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) 2008 industrial O O O O O * Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) 2009 industrial O O O O
* The Albian Mine Site station (AMS 10) was relocated 4 km southwest of its original location and recomissioned as Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) in February 2009. ** AMS 13 was renamed from Syncrude UE-1 to Fort McKay South by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD) in 2011. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 29
A portable monitoring station, AMS 101, was commissioned by WBEA in 2011. It operated for the last 3 months of that year at the Conoco Surmont Phillips Facility. In 2012 the portable monitoring station operated at 3 locations (Table 3). Results presented for each location represent only part of the year and require discretion when comparing to results from other stations where measurements were made throughout the entire year.
Table 3. Parameters and locations of continuous monitoring in 2012 by the portable station (AMS 101).
parameter
location period locale SO2 NO2 O3 PM2.5 H2S TRS THC CH4 NMHC CO NH3 Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101) Jan 1 - Mar 31 industrial OO O Conklin (AMS 101) May 5 - Oct 10 community O OOOO O Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101) Oct 15 - Dec 31 industrial O OOOO O
The methods for continuous monitoring of PM2.5 are evolving as the practice matures. Initially in 1997, continuous
monitoring of PM2.5 was accomplished using a tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM). In 2011 and 2012 (and into 2013), the TEOM analyzers have been replaced with SHARP 5030 analyzers. WBEA currently has these new analyzers installed at 8 sites, with the last site scheduled for transition by spring of 2013 (Table 4). Descriptions of
operational principles of each analyzer are presented in the section on Particulate Matter (PM2.5) monitoring results.
Table 4. Commencement dates for PM2.5 measurement by Sharp 5030 analyzers.
PM2.5 measuring station Installation date of Sharp 5030 analyzer AMS 1 03Jun11:14:30 AMS 6 01Sept12:09:10 AMS 7 05Aug11:19:15 AMS 8 10Jan12:17:30 AMS 12 To be determined AMS 13 28Feb12:15:00 AMS 14 11Oct11:13:35 AMS 15 22Sep12:10:00 AMS 16 14Oct11:13:40 30 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
5.3.1 Meteorological Observations INFLUENCE OF METEOROLOGY Air quality is dependent on the rate that pollutants are emitted to the atmosphere, the rate of dispersion as these pollutants are transported away from sources, and the rate and pathways of chemical transformation and deposition over time. Air pollution transport, dispersion, transformation and deposition are influenced by wind speed and direction, the vertical temperature structure of the atmosphere, the daily solar cycle, turbulence, precipitation and influences on these elements induced by local topography and vegetation cover.
Precipitation may remove pollutants from the atmosphere (scavenging), and deposit them on soils and vegetation. Rates of dry deposition of certain pollutant gases are highest when vegetation and soils are wet. Vegetation is more susceptible to damage during periods of highest growth. METEOROLOGICAL MONITORING Meteorological parameters measured in support of the ambient air quality monitoring programs include:
• wind speed and direction • temperature • vertical temperature gradient (difference in temperature at two heights) • solar radiation • relative humidity
Wind speed, wind direction and temperature are measured at all stations, the remainder at selected stations only.
Wind directions are presented in two formats. A table indicates the frequency of winds from each direction based on an 8-point compass, meaning that direction from the station is divided into 8 sectors of 45 degrees each. Wind rose plots for each station show the joint frequency distribution of wind speed and wind direction. These plots are based on a 16-point compass, with sectors of 22.5 degrees. In a wind rose, the length of a radial line indicates the frequency with which winds blew from each direction. For example Figure 2 shows that at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), winds were from the south-southeast about 10 percent of the time. The frequency of winds in various speed ranges is indicated by the length of line segments of corresponding thickness. For example, at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), south-southeast winds of 10 km/hr or less occurred about 8 percent of the time, and south-southeast winds greater than 10 km/hr occurred about 2 percent of the time. South-southeast winds from 20 to 30 km/hr occurred with a very small frequency.
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN 2012 Temperatures measured in the network in 2012 are summarized in Table 5. Wind direction measurements are summarized in Table 6, and wind speed information in Table 7. Wind direction was influenced by geography of the location in the river valley, or its influence. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 31
Table 5. Annual average, maximum, minimum and percentile 1-hour ambient temperatures (oC) in 2012.
annual 1-Hour 1-Hour location average maximum minimum percentiles
1 5 10 25 50 75 90 95 99
industry locations: Mildred Lake (AMS 2) 3.5 35.9 -30.9 -25.8 -19.5 -15.4 -8.1 4.2 15.5 21.4 24.5 28.5 * Lower Camp - original (AMS 3) 2.3 33.6 -34.0 -29.4 -22.6 -17.8 -10.0 3.7 15.1 20.6 23.6 27.4 Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4) 2.0 33.8 -34.1 -29.5 -22.0 -17.8 -9.7 3.0 14.6 20.3 23.3 27.4 Mannix (AMS 5) 3.5 33.9 -36.5 -25.1 -17.9 -14.3 -7.7 4.2 14.8 20.6 24.0 28.1 Barge Landing (AMS 9) 3.4 36.4 -34.2 -29.2 -21.7 -16.9 -8.8 4.3 16.2 22.4 25.9 29.9 * Lower Camp (AMS 11) 2.2 34.7 -35.2 -29.9 -22.8 -18.1 -10.1 3.3 15.0 20.7 23.9 27.6 Millennium Mine (AMS 12) 2.1 35.4 -35.5 -29.1 -22.5 -17.6 -9.6 2.9 14.6 20.7 24.2 28.7 Fort McKay South (AMS 13) 0.9 36.7 -39.2 -32.2 -24.4 -20.0 -11.3 1.5 13.7 20.4 24.5 28.5 CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) 1.6 34.1 -37.4 -30.9 -23.2 -18.6 -10.4 2.4 14.3 20.6 24.0 27.9 Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) 4.2 36.7 -34.4 -28.6 -21.0 -16.0 -7.8 5.1 17.1 23.1 26.2 30.4 ** Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101) Jan-Mar -6.7 10.2 -32.5 -29.8 -21.5 -18.3 -11.4 -5.4 -0.7 2.6 4.6 7.4 ** Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101) Oct-Dec -11.6 13.3 -33.3 -30.4 -26.2 -21.7 -17.8 -11.8 -5.4 -0.4 2.5 6.9 community locations: + Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) 2.4 38.0 -36.5 -30.6 -23.0 -18.2 -10.2 2.9 15.6 22.5 26.6 31.0 Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 1.9 34.3 -35.2 -29.5 -22.4 -18.2 -9.4 2.7 14.2 20.2 23.4 27.6 Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) 1.9 34.9 -39.1 -29.3 -23.0 -18.4 -10.1 3.0 14.6 20.2 23.7 27.9 Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) 1.4 32.5 -35.4 -31.3 -24.0 -19.2 -11.4 3.1 14.5 19.9 22.4 25.8 Anzac (AMS 14) 2.8 34.0 -32.0 -27.0 -20.0 -17.0 -8.0 3.0 14.0 20.0 24.0 28.0 ** Conklin (AMS 101) May-Oct 14.3 33.3 -5.6 -1.1 3.1 5.4 10.1 14.3 18.8 22.9 24.8 28.2 * Lower Camp air quality monitoring equipment was relocated a few hundred meters from the original location in 2000 and renamed from AMS 3 to AMS 11 ** The portable monitoring station (AMS 101) operated at 3 locations in 2012, thus results for each location represent only part of the year and require discretion when comparing to results at other locations. + renamed from ‘Fort McKay (AMS 1)’ in May 2012. 32 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Table 6. Wind direction frequency (% time from each direction) at WBEA stations in 2012.
location wind direction sector
NORTH NE EAST SE SOUTH SW WEST NW
industry locations: Mildred Lake (AMS 2) 26 5 5 19 18 9 9 10 * Lower Camp - original (AMS 3) 22 3 4 33 5 5 10 17 Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4) 23 4 5 31 8 7 12 10 Mannix (AMS 5) 16 4 7 29 10 8 15 11 Barge Landing (AMS 9) 19 9 5 13 21 13 9 12 * Lower Camp (AMS 11) 17 5 7 32 3 3 13 20 Millennium Mine (AMS 12) 19 7 4 22 18 10 9 11 Fort McKay South (AMS 13) 23 5 3 11 18 17 15 9 CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) 22 9 4 8 23 17 9 9 Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) 5 11 10 5 19 32 11 6 ** Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101) Jan-Mar 17 6 4 9 13 15 23 15 ** Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101) Oct-Dec 15 15 10 10 11 15 11 14 community locations: + Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) 22 5 4 11 22 9 11 16 Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 17 4 9 17 12 15 14 12 Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) 15 4 10 28 6 14 9 14 Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) 10 5 31 11 6 7 12 18 Anzac (AMS 14) 10 8 7 16 15 11 13 20 ** Conklin (AMS 101) May-Oct 7 6 9 5 9 32 17 15 * Lower Camp air quality monitoring equipment was relocated a few hundred meters from the original location in 2000 and renamed from AMS 3 to AMS 11 ** The portable monitoring station (AMS 101) operated at 3 locations in 2012, thus results for each location represent only part of the year and require discretion when comparing to results at other locations. + renamed from ‘Fort McKay (AMS 1)’ in May 2012. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 33
Table 7. Annual average, maximum and percentile 1-hour wind speeds (km/hr) in 2012.
annual 1-Hour location average maximum percentiles
1 5 10 25 50 75 90 95 99
industry locations: Mildred Lake (AMS 2) 9.3 31.7 1.0 2.5 3.6 5.7 8.5 12.2 16.1 18.5 23.2 * Lower Camp - original (AMS 3) 8.0 29.1 0.5 1.3 2.0 3.7 6.9 11.4 15.7 18.1 22.7 Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4) 11.3 44.7 1.5 3.3 4.4 6.7 9.9 14.5 20.3 24.2 31.7 Mannix (AMS 5) 7.1 38.4 0.7 1.6 2.2 3.6 5.9 9.2 13.1 17.1 24.8 Barge Landing (AMS 9) 5.9 25.5 0.6 1.5 2.2 3.5 5.3 7.7 10.5 12.3 16.2 * Lower Camp (AMS 11) 10.1 43.0 0.7 1.4 2.2 4.5 8.4 14.3 20.5 24.0 30.0 Millennium Mine (AMS 12) 7.2 30.4 0.9 2.1 2.8 4.2 6.2 9.6 13.1 15.1 19.4 Fort McKay South (AMS 13) 4.2 16.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 2.0 3.6 5.8 8.0 9.4 12.2 CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) 8.3 31.3 1.0 2.2 3.0 5.0 7.6 10.7 14.3 16.8 22.7 Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) 9.8 40.8 1.5 2.8 3.6 5.5 8.5 13.0 17.8 20.3 25.6 ** Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101) Jan-Mar 14.2 42.7 2.0 4.4 6.6 9.9 13.8 18.2 22.9 25.4 29.6 ** Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101) Oct-Dec 8.1 31.4 0.9 1.9 2.7 4.4 7.2 10.7 14.6 17.4 23.7
community locations: + Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) 6.0 23.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 8.0 11.0 13.0 17.0 Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 9.8 35.4 1.1 2.4 3.3 5.5 8.7 13.4 17.8 20.7 26.0 Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) 7.9 39.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 7.0 11.0 16.0 19.0 27.0 Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) 13.5 52.2 1.6 3.5 4.8 7.7 11.9 18.2 24.4 28.3 33.8 Anzac (AMS 14) 7.5 26.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 7.0 10.0 13.0 15.0 18.0 ** Conklin (AMS 101) May-Oct 5.7 21.3 0.5 1.1 1.7 3.0 5.3 7.9 10.4 12.1 15.0 * Lower Camp air quality monitoring equipment was relocated a few hundred meters from the original location in 2000 and renamed from AMS 3 to AMS 11 ** The portable monitoring station (AMS 101) operated at 3 locations in 2012, thus results for each location represent only part of the year and require discretion when comparing to results at other locations. + renamed from ‘Fort McKay (AMS 1)’ in May 2012. 34 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Figure 2. Wind roses at continuous ambient air quality monitoring sites in 2012.
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5.3.2 Ambient Air Concentrations
Table and Figure Interpretation
Observed concentrations of monitored compounds at each station are presented as highest 1-hour average concentrations and various percentile values of the 1-hour concentrations. For parameters which have a 24-hour or daily average air quality objective, the highest 24-hour average and 24-hour percentile concentrations are presented.
Percentile values can be used to indicate how often observed concentrations were low, how often concentrations were high, and how often concentrations were within a range of values. Suppose for example, there were a 10th percentile concentration value of 1 ppb and a 90th percentile value of 2 ppb. This would indicate that concentrations were less than or equal to 1 ppb 10 percent of the time, that concentrations were less than or equal to 2 ppb 90 percent of the time, and that concentrations between 1 and 2 ppb occurred 80 percent of the time. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 37
Each percentile value also divides concentrations into two groups, all concentrations less than the percentile value, and all concentrations greater than the percentile value. For example, 99 percent of measured concentrations are less than the 99th percentile concentration, and 1 percent of measured concentrations are greater than the 99th percentile concentration. As another example, a 99th percentile value of 3 ppb indicates that 99 percent of all concentrations were less than or equal to 3 ppb, or in other words, concentrations were less than or equal to 3 ppb 99 percent of the time. It also indicates that only 1 percent of concentrations were greater than 3 ppb, or in other words, concentrations greater than 3 ppb occurred 1 percent of the time.
Twenty-four hour percentile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations at community locations are presented graphically in Figure 8 as boxes with upper and lower vertical whiskers. This format shows the range of observed concentrations, excluding the extreme high and low values. It is also useful for comparing concentrations at different locations. The position of the lower whisker tip corresponds to the value of the 10th percentile concentration indicated on the vertical axis on (the left side), and the box bottom indicates the 25th percentile concentration. The box center indicates the 50th percentile concentration, also referred to as the median value. (One half of the observed concentrations are greater than the median value, and one half are less than the median value). The box top and upper whisker tip indicate the 75th and 90th percentile concentrations.
In a ‘normal’ (standard bell-shaped) statistical distribution, the mean (or average) and median values are the same value. In ‘non-normal’ distributions most of the concentrations are in the lower or higher part of the range. If measurements have a large number of extremely small values, the mean can be significantly lower than the median value due to weighting by the large number of low values. In ‘non-normal’ distributions of measurements with extremely large values, the mean can be greater than the median, due to weighting of the mean by the few large values. Distributions of air quality measurements are generally not normal, and vary significantly for different parameters. Measurements of some parameters have a high number of small values, and a small number of relatively large high values.
The following is a summary of the 2012 monitoring data from the WBEA network by parameter. For each parameter general information is provided on the chemical characteristics of the parameter, emission sources, and any current provincial ambient air quality objectives for the parameter. In terms of Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQOs) it should be noted that Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development1 indicates that:
“As the ambient air quality objectives are in many cases not entirely protective of human health and the environment, efforts are made to improve air quality in order to stay well below ambient air quality objectives and if the circumstances warrant, to lower the ambient air quality objectives over time.”
Therefore, whenever monitoring data is shown in relation to AAAQOs, caution should be used in the terms of using the AAAQOs as a measure or benchmark of good air quality.
1 AENV. (2011). Using Ambient Air Quality Objectives in Industrial Dispersion Modelling and Individual Industrial Site Monitoring. April 2011. http://environment.alberta.ca/0952.html 38 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
5.3.3 Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) CHARACTERISTICS
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a colourless gas with a pungent odour that can be detected by taste and smell at concentrations as low as 300 to 500 parts per billion (ppb).
Sulphur dioxide is formed during the processing and combustion of fossil fuels containing sulphur.
Sulphur dioxide reacts in the atmosphere to form sulphuric acid and acidic aerosols, which contribute to acid deposition. Sulphur dioxide combines with other atmospheric gases to produce fine particles, which may reduce visibility and contribute to potential health impacts. ALBERTA AMBIENT AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES(AAAQO)
The applicable Alberta objectives for SO2 in 2012 were: • 1-hour average of 172 ppb (450 μg/m3) • 24 hour average of 48 ppb (125 μg/m3) • 30-day average of 11 ppb (30 μg/m3) • Annual average of 8 ppb (20 μg/m3)
CONTINUOUS MONITORING NOTES
Continuous measurements of SO2 are made with electronic analyzers using fluorescence technology. Concentrations of
SO2 are measured by the intensity of light emitted by SO2 molecules in the air sample when exposed to ultraviolet light inside the analyzer. CONTINUOUS MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012
The maximum 1-hour SO2 concentrations (Figure 3) monitored over the entire year at industry locations ranged from
74.3 ppb at Millenium Mine (AMS 12) to 149.5 ppb at Fort McKay South (AMS 13). Highest 1-hour SO2 concentrations measured in periods of the year by the portable station (AMS 101) were 14.0 ppb and 43.2 ppb. At community locations, the highest 1-hour concentrations over the entire year ranged from 20.0 ppb at Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) to 106.4 ppb at Anzac (AMS 14).
The 99th percentile SO2 concentrations ranged from 4.2 to 31.7 ppb. At each location, 99th percentile concentrations were one tenth to one third the values of the highest concentrations.
Exceedences of the Alberta one-hour ambient air quality objective for SO2 of 172 ppb did not occur in 2012. Nor were
there any exceedences of the Alberta 24-hour ambient air quality objective for SO2 of 48 ppb (Figure 4), and the
Alberta annual average ambient air quality objective for SO2 of 8 ppb. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 39
Figure 3. Maximum 1-hour SO2 concentrations and Figure 4. Maximum 24-hour SO2 concentrations and the 99th and 90th percentile values at industry and the 99th, 95th and 90th percentiles at industry and community locations. There were no exceedences of the community locations. There were no exceedences of the
1-hour SO2 air quality objective. 24-hour SO2 air quality objective.
160 30 maximum maximum 140 99 percentile 99 percentile 90 percentile 25 95 percentile 120 90 percentile 20 100
(ppb) 80 (ppb) 15
60 10 40 5 20
0 0 Mannix (AMS 5) Mannix (AMS 5) Anzac (AMS 14) Anzac (AMS 14) Mildred Lake (AMS 2) Lake Mildred Mildred Lake (AMS 2) Lake Mildred Lower Camp (AMS 11) Lower Lower Camp (AMS 11) Lower CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) CNRL Horizon CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) CNRL Horizon Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) Chipewyan Fort Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) Chipewyan Fort Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Patricia Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Patricia Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Valley Athabasca Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Valley Athabasca Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Conklin (AMS101) May-Oct Conklin Conklin (AMS 101) May-Oct Conklin Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4) Viewpoint Buffalo Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4) Viewpoint Buffalo Fort McKay South (AMS 13) McKay Fort Fort McKay South (AMS 13) McKay Fort Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) River Albian Muskeg Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) River Albian Muskeg Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) McKay - Fort Bertha Ganter Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) McKay - Fort Bertha Ganter Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS101) Oct-Dec Lake Christina Cenovus Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101) Oct-Dec Lake Christina Cenovus Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101) Jan-Mar Conoco Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101) Jan-Mar Conoco
industry stations community stations industry stations community stations 40 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
5.3.4 Total Reduced Sulphur (TRS), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and Reduced Sulphur Compounds (RSC) CHARACTERISTICS
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a colourless gas with a characteristic rotten egg odour. The term “total reduced sulphur compounds” (TRS) is used to collectively describe a group of compounds including hydrogen sulphide, dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide, carbon disulphide, carbonyl sulphide, thiophenes, methyl mercaptan and other mercaptans.
The term “reduced sulphur compounds” (RSC) is applied to selected sulphur compounds analyzed for in lab analyses of time-integrated canister samples. SOURCES Reduced sulphur compounds (RSCs) are produced both naturally and through industrial processes. Natural sources of RSC in air include volcanoes and sulphur springs, oceans and estuaries, and exposed faces of sulphur-containing oil and coal deposits. In the absence of oxygen, decomposition of organic matter by bacteria results in the release of RSCs. This produces the characteristic odour commonly associated with sewers, sewage lagoons, and swamps. Industrial sources are primarily petroleum refining, petrochemical complexes, and pulp and paper mills. There is a natural background ambient air concentration of the reduced sulphur compound carbonyl sulphide of approximately 0.5 ppb. ALBERTA OBJECTIVES
The objectives for ambient air concentrations of H2S are based on an odour threshold, although many individuals can
smell H2S at levels below the ambient objectives.
In the WBEA air quality monitoring network, TRS concentrations are evaluated against the H2S air quality objectives.
The Alberta ambient air quality objectives for H2S are: • 1-hour average of 10 ppb (14 μg/m3) • 24-hour average of 3 ppb (4 μg/m3)
There is also an Alberta ambient air quality objective for the following reduced sulphur compound:
• Carbon Disulphide – 1 hour average of 10 ppb (30 μg/m3) - adopted 1999
CONTINUOUS MONITORING NOTES – TRS AND H2S
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is measured at four locations in the WBEA monitoring network (Mildred Lake - AMS 2, Buffalo Viewpoint - AMS 4, Mannix - AMS 5, and Lower Camp - AMS 11). Total reduced sulphur (TRS) is measured at seven other locations.
Continuous monitoring is employed to measure TRS and H2S. Electronic analyzers for TRS and H2S consist of a sulphur
dioxide (SO2) analyzer with additional components. A scrubber first removes all SO2 from the air sample, and then
a converter oxidizes TRS or H2S to SO2, which is then measured by the analyzer. Different operating temperatures
of the converter determine which of TRS or H2S is oxidized and subsequently measured. The chemical conversion
creates the same amount of SO2 as TRS or H2S in the air sample. Concentrations of TRS or H2S are measured by the
SO2 analyzer’s fluorescence technology, where concentrations are measured by the intensity of light emitted by SO2
molecules (converted from TRS or H2S molecules in the air sample) when exposed to ultraviolet light inside the analyzer.
It should be noted that H2S continuous analyzers at the air monitoring stations may detect other reduced sulphur o compounds in addition to H2S. This is an interference. Also the TRS analyzers may not oxidize (at 850 C) all of the reduced sulphur compounds present and therefore underestimate TRS concentrations. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 41
CONTINUOUS MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012 – TRS AND H2S
The maximum 1-hour TRS and H2S concentrations monitored over the entire year (Figure 5) at industry locations ranged from 5.9 ppb at CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) to 69.8 ppb Fort McKay South (AMS 13). At community locations, the highest concentrations ranged from 8.8 ppb at Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) to 86.9 ppb at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1).
The maximum 1-hour TRS and H2S concentrations monitored in periods of the year by the portable station at industry locations ranged from 3.5 ppb at Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101 October-December) to 18.4 ppb at Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101 January-March). At the community location of Conklin (AMS 101 May-October) the highest 1-hour
TRS and H2S concentration was 5.9 ppb. The 99th percentile concentrations ranged from 0.4 to 10.2 ppb, and the 95th percentile concentrations ranged from 0.2 to 3.1 ppb. At each location, the maximum concentrations were 4 to 32 times greater than the 99th percentile concentrations, and 6 to 70 times greater than the 95th percentile concentrations.
The Alberta one-hour ambient air quality objective for H2S of 10 ppb was exceeded 182 times in 2012 (more than the 169 times in 2011, and less than the 614 exceedences in 2010 and the 1,625 exceedences in 2009). All but 4 exceedences in 2012 were at industry locations. There were 82 exceedences of the 1-hour ambient air quality objective at Mannix (AMS 5), 58 at Mildred Lake (AMS 2), and 12 at both Lower Camp (AMS 11) and Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101 January-March). There were 4 exceedences at both Millenium Mine (AMS 12) and Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4), and 3 at both Barge Landing (AMS 9) and Fort McKay South (AMS 13). At community stations the the 1-hour ambient air quality objective was exceeded 4 times, twice at both Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) and Anzac (AMS 14).
The Alberta 24-hour ambient air quality objective for H2S of 3 ppb was exceeded 31 times in 2012 (Figure 6). (The number of exceedences was the same as the 31 exceedences in 2011, and much less than the 118 exceedences in 2010 and the 252 exceedences in 2009). All but one of the exceedences occurred at industry locations. There were 16 exceedences Mannix (AMS 5), 11 at Mildred Lake (AMS 2), and 1 at Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101 January-March), Fort McKay South (AMS 13), and Barge Landing (AMS 9). There was one exceedence at the community location of Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1).
Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD), and all industries are informed by the WBEA of each exceedence, regardless of location. For each event, industry undertakes an internal investigation to determine a cause and follows up with AESRD on findings and mitigative actions.
Figure 5 . Maximum 1-hour TRS and H2S concentrations Figure 6. Maximum 24-hour TRS and H2S concentrations and the 99th and 90th percentiles at industry and and the 99th, 95th and 90th percentiles at industry and
community locations. The numbers of 1-hour H2S air community locations. The number of exceedences of the
quality objective exceedences are indicated. 24-hour H2S air quality objective is indicated.
90 2 13 16 80 3 70 11 60 maximum 1 maximum 3 99 percentile 9 99 percentile 50 82 11 95 percentile 7 1 95 percentile 40 90 percentile 90 percentile 58 1 30 5 12 1 12 4 4 (ppb) (ppb) 20 2 3 10 1 0 Mannix (AMS 5) Mannix (AMS 5) Anzac (AMS 14) Anzac (AMS 14) Mildred Lake (AMS 2) Lake Mildred Mildred Lake (AMS 2) Lake Mildred Lower Camp (AMS 11) Lower Lower Camp (AMS 11) Lower Barge Landing (AMS 9) Barge Barge Landing (AMS 9) Barge CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) CNRL Horizon CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) CNRL Horizon Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Patricia Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Patricia Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Valley Athabasca Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Valley Athabasca Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Conklin (AMS101) May-Oct Conklin Conklin (AMS 101) May-Oct Conklin Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4) Viewpoint Buffalo Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4) Viewpoint Buffalo Fort McKay South (AMS 13) McKay Fort Fort McKay South (AMS 13) McKay Fort Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) McKay - Fort Bertha Ganter Bertha Ganter – Fort McKay (AMS 1) McKay – Fort Bertha Ganter Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS101) Oct-Dec Lake Christina Cenovus Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101) Oct-Dec Lake Christina Cenovus Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101) Jan-Mar Conoco Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101) Jan-Mar Conoco
industry stations community stations industry stations community stations 42 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
INTEGRATED MONITORING NOTES - RSC Reduced sulphur compounds (RSC) were analyzed from canister samples collected in the volatile organic compound (VOC) integrated sampling program. Air was drawn into a silcosteel canister at the monitoring station. The canister was shipped to a laboratory where the contents were withdrawn and analyzed using gas chromatography. Samples were analyzed for 60 VOC compounds and 22 RSC compounds.
Reduced sulphur compounds were obtained from air samples collected for 1-day (24-hour) periods at 4 industry stations: Barge Landing (AMS 9), Millennium Mine (AMS 12), Fort McKay South (AMS 13), and CNRL Horizon (AMS 15); and at 4 community stations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), Patricia McInnes (AMS 6), Athabasca Valley (AMS 7), and Anzac (AMS 14). Air samples were collected every 6 days (approximately 60 possible sample days in the year) at all stations. (There was a change in the sampling frequency at the beginning of 2012 from previous years - sampling frequency was increased from every 12 days to every 6 days at all sites except at Barge Landing (AMS 9), where the frequency has always been every 6 days).
For quality assurance purposes, duplicate samples and replicate analyses were introduced occasionally at selected sites and for selected samples. A duplicate sample is a second container collecting air at the same time as the routine container collects air. A replicate analysis occurs in the laboratory where a second analysis of air from a sample container is performed, in addition to the analysis already performed as the routine. When undertaken, duplicate sampling and replicate analysis practices create more than one set of results for a sampling day. Duplicate sampling and replicate analyses were introduced in 2010, continued throughout 2011 and phased out in 2012, where there were only 4 duplicate samples and 1 replicated analysis. Presented results are based on sample days, with results averaged for duplicate samples and replicated analyses. Results for all RSC parameters with measurable concentrations at each location are summarized in the tables.
Results from 9 samples in 2012 were excluded from the summary because of potential quality issues in sample collection. There were 2 excluded sample results from Millenium Mine (AMS 12) and CNRL Horizon (AMS 15), and 1 from each of Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), Patricia McInnes (AMS 6), Barge Landing (AMS 9), Fort McKay South (AMS 13) and Anzac (AMS 14). INTEGRATED MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012 - RSC Integrated monitoring observations for RSCs in 2012 are summarized in Table 8. At industry locations, the RSCs with the highest measured 24-hour concentrations were carbonyl sulphide and carbon disulphide. Maximum concentrations of
carbonyl sulphide were 2.0 ppbv at Barge Landing (AMS 9), Millenium Mine (AMS 12) and Fort McKay South (AMS 13).
Maximum 24-hour concentrations of carbon disulphide were 3.0 ppbv at CNRL Horizon (AMS 15). The most frequently measured RSC was carbonyl sulphide, present in 80 to 91 percent of all samples at industry locations.
At community locations, the RSCs with the highest measured 24-hour concentrations were carbon disulphide and
carbonyl sulphide. The highest concentrations of carbon disulphide were 6.0 ppbv at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1),
and 2.0 ppbv at Patricia McInnes (AMS 6). The highest concentrations of carbonyl sulphide were 3.0 ppbv at Bertha
Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), 2.0 ppbv at Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) and Athabasca Valley (AMS 7), and 1 ppbv at Anzac (AMS 14). The most frequently measured RSC was carbonyl sulphide, which was present in 80 to 92 percent of samples at industry locations, and in 80 to 100 percent of samples at community locations. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 43
Table 8. Summary of all 24-hour RSC concentrations measured at each station, ordered by highest concentration.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation
compound containing (%) (ppbv) (ppbv) (ppbv) industry locations: Barge Landing (AMS 9) Carbonyl sulphide 47 / 58 81 2.0 0.71 0.45 Hydrogen sulphide 8 / 58 14 1.0 0.36 0.34 Carbon disulphide 5 / 58 9 0.2 0.16 0.05 Dimethyl disulphide 1 / 58 2 0.1 0.10 .
Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Carbonyl sulphide 50 / 55 91 2.0 0.68 0.36 Hydrogen sulphide 6 / 55 11 1.0 0.47 0.29 Carbon disulphide 6 / 55 11 0.4 0.17 0.12
Fort McKay South (AMS 13) Carbonyl sulphide 48 / 60 80 2.0 0.65 0.31 Carbon disulphide 3 / 60 5 2.0 0.83 1.01 Dimethyl disulphide 1 / 60 2 0.4 0.40 . Hydrogen sulphide 5 / 60 8 0.3 0.22 0.11
CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) Carbon disulphide 13 / 53 25 3.0 0.42 0.81 Carbonyl sulphide 49 / 53 92 2.0 0.93 0.57 Hydrogen sulphide 7 / 53 13 1.0 0.46 0.35 Dimethyl disulphide 1 / 53 2 0.2 0.20 .
community locations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) Carbon disulphide 34 / 62 55 6.0 1.36 1.41 Carbonyl sulphide 62 / 62 100 3.0 1.03 0.61 Hydrogen sulphide 11 / 62 18 2.0 0.53 0.55 Methyl mercaptan 1 / 62 2 0.4 0.40 . Dimethyl disulphide 1 / 62 2 0.2 0.20 .
Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Carbonyl sulphide 53 / 59 90 2.0 0.75 0.42 Carbon disulphide 10 / 59 17 2.0 0.35 0.58 Hydrogen sulphide 6 / 59 10 1.0 0.48 0.37 Methyl mercaptan 1 / 59 2 0.6 0.60 . 2,5-dimethyl Thiophene 1 / 59 2 0.1 0.10 .
Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Carbonyl sulphide 49 / 61 80 2.0 0.78 0.42 Hydrogen sulphide 7 / 61 11 0.6 0.31 0.19 Carbon disulphide 7 / 61 11 0.5 0.30 0.16
Anzac (AMS 14) Carbonyl sulphide 47 / 59 80 1.0 0.62 0.23 Hydrogen sulphide 2 / 59 3 0.4 0.35 0.07 Carbon disulphide 2 / 59 3 0.2 0.20 0.00 44 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
5.3.5 Hydrocarbons (THC, VOC, PAH) CHARACTERISTICS Hydrocarbons are divided into two broad categories based on volatility and chemical structure. Volatile hydrocarbons consist of a suite of compounds collectively called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Hydrocarbon compounds of higher molecular weight and less volatility which contain two or more fused benzene rings are called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Some VOCs react with the oxides of nitrogen in the atmosphere to form ozone. These include primarily ethylene, propane, butane, benzene and _-pinene.
A major hydrocarbon in the atmosphere is methane, a colourless, odourless gas, which is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect. Methane exists naturally in the atmosphere with background concentrations of about 1.8 ppm. SOURCES
The simplest hydrocarbon, methane (CH4), is produced naturally through the decay of vegetation. Petroleum and chemical industries, motor vehicle exhaust and gasoline handling are the major sources of reactive hydrocarbons from human activity. Trees and plants are major natural emitters of reactive hydrocarbons.
Combustion processes, both natural (such as forest fires) and human influenced (such as industrial activities and the operation of motor vehicles), result in the formation of PAHs. ALBERTA OBJECTIVES There are no Alberta ambient air quality objectives for continuously monitored THC.
Alberta ambient air quality objectives include the following VOCs:
3 • acetaldehyde – 1 hour average: 50 ppbv (90 μg/m ) - adopted 1999 3 • acetone - 1 hour average: 2400 ppbv (5900 μg/m ) - adopted 1999, reviewed in 2005 3 • benzene – 1 hour average: 9 ppbv (30 μg/m ) - adopted in 1999, reviewed in 2012 3 • ethylbenzene – 1 hour average: 460 ppbv (2000 μg/m ) - adopted 2005 3 • formaldehyde – 1 hour average: 53 ppbv (65 μg/m ) - adopted 1999, reviewed 2007 3 • methanol – 1 hour average: 2,000 ppbv (2,600 μg/m ) - adopted 1999 3 • styrene – 1-hour average: 52 ppbv (215 μg/m ) - adopted in 1999 3 • toluene – 1 hour average: 499 ppbv (1,880 μg/m ) - adopted 2005, 3 - 24 hour average: 106 ppbv (400 μg/m ) - adopted 2005 3 • xylenes – 1 hour average: or 530 ppbv (2,300 μg/m ) - adopted 2005 3 - 24 hour average: 161 ppbv (700 μg/m ) - adopted 2005
Alberta ambient air quality objectives exist for the following PAH:
3 • Benzo[a]pyrene – annual average: 0.0259 pptv (0.30 Љg/m ) WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 45
CONTINUOUS MONITORING NOTES - THC Total hydrocarbons are measured continuously in ambient air quality monitoring stations. Analyzers typically measure
all hydrocarbons (THC). Specialized analysers can measure the methane (CH4) component. Continuous measurements of THC are made using electronic analyzers that employ flame ionization technology. An electric current is generated when carbon molecules from the air sample are burned (ionized) by a hydrogen-fuelled flame in an electrified chamber. Concentrations of hydrocarbon molecules in ambient air are measured by changes of electric current in the flame chamber due to presence of carbon ions.
Calibration procedure of continuous THC monitors was changed in 2010 to conform to guidance issued by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. The gas used to calibrate THC monitors was changed from methane only to a mixture of methane and propane. The change was implemented over the period from February 2 to May 7, 2010. There could be a small systematic difference in measured results before and after the change. CONTINUOUS MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012 - THC Maximum 1-hour THC concentration monitored over the entire year (Figure 7) at industry locations ranged from 5.4 ppm at Lower Camp (AMS 11) to 14.4 ppm at Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4). At community stations, the highest 1-hour concentrations monitored over the entire year ranged from 3.1 ppm at Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) to 4.4 ppm at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1). Maximum 1-hour total hydrocarbon concentration monitored in part of the year by the portable station at the industry location of Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS101 October-December) was 3.6 ppm. At the community location of Conklin (AMS101 May-October) the highest 1-hour total hydrocarbon concentration was 3.5 ppm.
The maximum 1-hour THC concentrations at all locations in 2012 ranged from 3.1 to 14.4 ppm. The 99th percentile concentrations ranged from 2.5 to 4.7 ppm, and the 95th percentile concentrations ranged from 2.3 to 3.4 ppm. At each station, the highest concentrations were 1 to 4 times greater than the 99th percentile concentrations, and were 1 to 5 times greater than the 95th percentile concentrations.
Figure 7. Maximum 1-hour THC concentrations and the 99th and 90th percentiles at industry and community locations. 14 maximum 12 99 percentile 90 percentile 10
8 (ppm) 6
4
2
0 Mannix (AMS 5) Anzac (AMS 14) Mildred Lake (AMS 2) Lake Mildred Lower Camp (AMS 11) Lower Barge Landing (AMS 9) Barge CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) CNRL Horizon Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Patricia Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Valley Athabasca Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Conklin (AMS101) May-Oct Conklin Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4) Viewpoint Buffalo Fort McKay South (AMS 13) McKay Fort Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) River Albian Muskeg Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) McKay - Fort Bertha Ganter Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS101) Oct-Dec Lake Christina Cenovus
industry stations community stations 46 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
INTEGRATED MONITORING NOTES– VOC Volatile organic compounds (VOC) were analyzed from air samples collected at monitoring stations. Air was drawn into a silcosteel canister at the monitoring station through a valve controlled by a computerized electronic sampling device. The canister was shipped to a laboratory where the contents were withdrawn and analyzed using gas chromatography. Samples were analyzed for 60 VOC compounds.
Volatile organic compounds were measured for 1-day (24-hour) periods at 4 industry stations: Barge Landing (AMS 9), Millennium Mine (AMS 12), Fort McKay South (AMS 13), and CNRL Horizon (AMS 15); and at 4 community stations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), Patricia McInnes (AMS 6), Athabasca Valley (AMS 7), and Anzac (AMS 14). VOCs were measured every 6 days (approximately 60 possible sample days in the year) at all stations. (There was a change in the sampling frequency at the beginning of 2012 from previous years - sampling frequency was increased from 12 days to 6 days at all sites except at Barge Landing (AMS 9), where the frequency has always been 6 days).
For quality assurance purposes, duplicate samples and replicate analyses were introduced occasionally at selected sites and for selected samples. A duplicate sample is a second container collecting air at the same time as the routine container collects air. A replicate analysis is a second analysis of air from a sample container that has already been analyzed in routine analysis. When undertaken, duplicate sampling and replicate analysis practices create more than one set of results for a sampling day. Duplicate sampling and replicate analyses were introduced in 2010, continued throughout 2011 and phased out in 2012, when there were only 4 duplicate samples and 1 replicated analysis. Presented results are based on sample days, with results averaged for duplicate samples and replicated analyses.
Results from 9 samples in 2012 were excluded from the summary because of potential quality issues in sample collection. There were 2 excluded sample results from Millenium Mine (AMS 12) and CNRL Horizon (AMS 15), and 1 from each of Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), Patricia McInnes (AMS 6), Barge Landing (AMS 9), Fort McKay South (AMS 13) and Anzac (AMS 14). INTEGRATED MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012 - VOC At industry locations, the VOC compounds with the highest measured 24-hour concentrations were isobutane, with
a maximum concentration of 95.9 ppbv at Barge Landing (AMS 9) and 89.7 ppbv at Millenium Mine (AMS 12), and
methanol with concentrations of 43.3 ppbv at CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) and 14.6 ppbv at Fort McKay South (AMS 13).
Corresponding average concentrations for isobutane were 2.72 and 2.86 ppbv at Barge Landing (AMS 9) and Millenium
Mine (AMS 12), respectively, and for methanol, 13.34 and 6.46 ppbv at CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) and Fort McKay South (AMS 13), respectively (Table 9).
There were five VOC compounds within the 10 highest concentrations at each location that were observed at all 4 industry locations (Table 10). These included acetaldehyde, acetone, butane, isobutane and methanol. There were six VOC compounds within the 10 most frequently observed compounds at each site that were observed at all 4 industry locations. These included acetone, benzene, butane, isobutene, isopentane and toluene.
At community locations, the VOC compound with the highest measured 24-hour concentration at all locations was
methanol, with maximum concentrations of 107.0 ppbv at Anzac (AMS 14), 95.7 ppbv at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay
(AMS 1), 89.4 ppbv at Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) and 81.9 ppbv at Patricia McInnes (AMS 6). Corresponding average
concentrations at each station were 10.12, 10.11, 11.40 and 11.12 ppbv, respectively (Table 11). Other compounds within the three highest measured concentrations at each community location included acetaldehyde, observed at all locations, cyclohexane, observed at 3 locations, and isobutene, observed at one location. Average concentrations from all samples at community stations were often an order of magnitude lower than maximum concentrations, except when detected in only one or a few samples.
There were five VOC compounds within the 10 highest concentrations at each location that were observed at all community locations (Table 12). These included acetaldehyde, acetone, butane, cyclohexane and methanol. There were eight VOC compounds within the 10 most frequently observed compounds at each location that were observed at all community locations. These included 2-methylpentane, acetone, benzene, butane, hexane, isobutene, isopentane and toluene. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 47
Table 9. The ten highest 24-hour concentrations of VOC compounds measured at each industry location in 2012.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation
location compound containing (%) (ppbv) (ppbv) (ppbv) industry locations: Barge Landing (AMS 9) Isobutane 41 / 58 71 95.9 2.72 14.92 Acetaldehyde 15 / 58 26 33.7 6.18 8.25 Methanol 25 / 58 43 15.1 6.66 3.62 Acetone 43 / 58 74 13.9 2.44 2.38 Methyl ethyl ketone 1 / 58 2 3.9 3.87 . Butane 40 / 58 69 3.5 0.97 0.73 beta Pinene 3 / 58 5 2.8 1.57 1.20 Benzene 54 / 58 93 2.7 0.26 0.37 Isoprene 18 / 58 31 2.6 0.79 0.70 1-Butene 4 / 58 7 2.1 0.70 0.95
Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Isobutane 38 / 55 69 89.7 2.86 14.48 Methanol 20 / 55 36 40.1 9.55 9.33 Acetaldehyde 15 / 55 27 23.8 5.57 7.61 Cyclohexane 24 / 55 44 12.4 0.86 2.54 3-Methylhexane 21 / 55 38 5.0 0.47 1.08 Butane 42 / 55 76 4.1 1.19 0.93 Acetone 45 / 55 82 3.9 1.93 0.92 beta Pinene 3 / 55 5 3.1 2.68 0.42 2,3-Dimethylpentane 11 / 55 20 2.9 0.42 0.82 Isopentane 48 / 55 87 2.3 0.46 0.47
Fort McKay South (AMS 13) Methanol 20 / 60 33 14.6 6.46 4.09 Acetaldehyde 14 / 60 23 13.2 4.95 4.01 beta Pinene 4 / 60 7 9.8 5.11 3.54 Acetone 43 / 60 72 8.8 2.11 1.67 Isoprene 19 / 60 32 4.4 1.61 1.26 Isobutane 46 / 60 77 3.2 0.44 0.53 Butane 45 / 60 75 2.6 0.88 0.62 Pentane 31 / 60 52 2.1 0.54 0.42 Isopentane 49 / 60 82 1.6 0.50 0.41 Toluene 48 / 60 80 1.2 0.20 0.24
CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) Methanol 31 / 53 58 43.3 13.34 11.89 Cyclohexane 36 / 53 68 28.6 1.23 4.74 Acetaldehyde 24 / 53 45 15.6 5.65 3.35 Cyclopentane 21 / 53 40 11.7 0.78 2.51 Acetone 45 / 53 85 10.4 3.27 2.10 Pentane 19 / 53 36 8.4 1.24 2.11 Isobutane 43 / 53 81 7.2 1.21 1.26 Isopentane 50 / 53 94 5.0 1.20 1.13 Butane 45 / 53 85 3.5 1.13 0.71 Methylcyclohexane 44 / 53 83 3.4 0.37 0.60 48 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Table 10. The ten most frequently observed VOC compounds at each industry location in 2012.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation
location compound containing (%) (ppbv) (ppbv) (ppbv) industry locations: Barge Landing (AMS 9) Isobutane 41 / 58 71 95.9 2.72 14.92 Acetone 43 / 58 74 13.9 2.44 2.38 Butane 40 / 58 69 3.5 0.97 0.73 Benzene 54 / 58 93 2.7 0.26 0.37 2-Methylpentane 38 / 58 66 2.1 0.40 0.49 Isopentane 53 / 58 91 1.6 0.52 0.40 Toluene 46 / 58 79 1.5 0.18 0.23 3-Methylpentane 37 / 58 64 1.2 0.23 0.26 Hexane 34 / 58 59 0.8 0.20 0.20 Methylcyclohexane 27 / 58 47 0.7 0.13 0.13 2,3-Dimethylbutane 27 / 58 47 0.6 0.17 0.15
Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Isobutane 38 / 55 69 89.7 2.86 14.48 Butane 42 / 55 76 4.1 1.19 0.93 Acetone 45 / 55 82 3.9 1.93 0.92 Isopentane 48 / 55 87 2.3 0.46 0.47 Methylcyclohexane 32 / 55 58 2.1 0.21 0.41 Benzene 53 / 55 96 1.4 0.22 0.21 Toluene 42 / 55 76 1.1 0.20 0.23 2-Methylpentane 29 / 55 53 1.0 0.18 0.18 2,3-Dimethylbutane 39 / 55 71 0.8 0.16 0.14 Hexane 29 / 55 53 0.6 0.17 0.14 2,2-Dimethylbutane 41 / 55 75 0.4 0.13 0.09
Fort McKay South (AMS 13) Acetone 43 / 60 72 8.8 2.11 1.67 Isobutane 46 / 60 77 3.2 0.44 0.53 Butane 45 / 60 75 2.6 0.88 0.62 Isopentane 49 / 60 82 1.6 0.50 0.41 Toluene 48 / 60 80 1.2 0.20 0.24 3-Methylpentane 36 / 60 60 1.1 0.17 0.20 2-Methylpentane 36 / 60 60 1.0 0.25 0.24 Benzene 59 / 60 98 0.9 0.19 0.14 alpha Pinene 36 / 60 60 0.6 0.17 0.15 Hexane 33 / 60 55 0.6 0.18 0.13
CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) Cyclohexane 36 / 53 68 28.6 1.23 4.74 Acetone 45 / 53 85 10.4 3.27 2.10 Isobutane 43 / 53 81 7.2 1.21 1.26 Isopentane 50 / 53 94 5.0 1.20 1.13 Butane 45 / 53 85 3.5 1.13 0.71 Methylcyclohexane 44 / 53 83 3.4 0.37 0.60 Benzene 51 / 53 96 3.3 0.61 0.84 3-Methylpentane 42 / 53 79 3.3 0.37 0.55 Methylcyclopentane 43 / 53 81 3.1 0.25 0.47 Toluene 45 / 53 85 1.0 0.20 0.18 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 49
Table 11. The ten highest 24-hour concentrations of VOC compounds measured at each community location in 2012.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation
location compound containing (%) (ppbv) (ppbv) (ppbv) community locations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) Methanol 33 / 62 53 95.7 10.11 16.72 Cyclohexane 24 / 62 39 29.1 3.41 8.88 Acetaldehyde 20 / 62 32 14.1 4.25 4.06 Acetone 50 / 62 81 12.5 2.74 2.52 Butane 52 / 62 84 12.5 1.39 1.73 Heptane 41 / 62 66 10.9 0.68 1.70 1-Butene 10 / 62 16 9.7 1.47 2.90 beta Pinene 3 / 62 5 5.7 2.77 2.62 Toluene 57 / 62 92 4.3 0.52 0.71 Methyl ethyl ketone 2 / 62 3 3.9 3.21 0.91
Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Methanol 39 / 59 66 81.9 11.12 16.83 Acetaldehyde 25 / 59 42 33.8 4.24 6.67 Cyclohexane 12 / 59 20 15.2 1.37 4.36 Acetone 49 / 59 83 13.2 2.52 2.29 Butane 49 / 59 83 11.1 1.49 1.84 Isobutane 47 / 59 80 6.4 0.59 1.03 Naphthalene 4 / 59 7 4.5 1.66 1.95 Isoprene 13 / 59 22 3.9 1.27 1.04 Isopentane 53 / 59 90 3.1 0.49 0.56 Hexane 33 / 59 56 3.0 0.24 0.54
Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Methanol 45 / 61 74 89.4 11.40 14.54 Cyclohexane 10 / 61 16 71.3 7.21 22.52 Acetaldehyde 20 / 61 33 45.2 6.67 9.93 Acetone 46 / 61 75 18.3 3.01 2.96 Butane 52 / 61 85 6.6 1.55 1.14 Isoprene 15 / 61 25 4.0 1.08 1.13 Isobutane 46 / 61 75 2.0 0.50 0.39 Isopentane 60 / 61 98 2.0 0.48 0.35 3-Methylhexane 24 / 61 39 1.6 0.16 0.31 Pentane 29 / 61 48 1.3 0.38 0.28
Anzac (AMS 14) Methanol 30 / 59 51 107.0 10.12 18.84 Acetaldehyde 15 / 59 25 13.9 4.83 4.04 Isobutane 41 / 59 69 11.1 0.74 1.78 Acetone 49 / 59 83 6.0 1.93 1.34 Butane 45 / 59 76 5.3 1.07 1.00 Isoprene 18 / 59 31 4.0 0.91 0.93 Cyclohexane 10 / 59 17 3.2 0.92 1.27 beta Pinene 3 / 59 5 2.2 1.72 0.45 Pentane 25 / 59 42 1.9 0.46 0.42 Naphthalene 1 / 59 2 1.9 1.86 . 50 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Table 12. The ten most frequently observed VOC compounds at each community location in 2012.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation
location compound containing (%) (ppbv) (ppbv) (ppbv) community locations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) Butane 52 / 62 84 12.5 1.39 1.73 Acetone 50 / 62 81 12.5 2.74 2.52 Heptane 41 / 62 66 10.9 0.68 1.70 Toluene 57 / 62 92 4.3 0.52 0.71 Isobutane 51 / 62 82 3.4 0.48 0.58 2-Methylpentane 42 / 62 68 1.9 0.29 0.34 Hexane 40 / 62 65 1.5 0.22 0.23 Isopentane 54 / 62 87 1.5 0.43 0.31 Benzene 57 / 62 92 0.9 0.23 0.16 m,p-Xylene 39 / 62 63 0.8 0.19 0.15
Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Methanol 39 / 59 66 81.9 11.12 16.83 Acetone 49 / 59 83 13.2 2.52 2.29 Butane 49 / 59 83 11.1 1.49 1.84 Isobutane 47 / 59 80 6.4 0.59 1.03 Isopentane 53 / 59 90 3.1 0.49 0.56 Hexane 33 / 59 56 3.0 0.24 0.54 Toluene 54 / 59 92 2.6 0.36 0.50 Benzene 57 / 59 97 1.6 0.25 0.28 2-Methylpentane 36 / 59 61 0.8 0.17 0.16 3-Methylpentane 35 / 59 59 0.8 0.12 0.15
Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Methanol 45 / 61 74 89.4 11.40 14.54 Acetone 46 / 61 75 18.3 3.01 2.96 Butane 52 / 61 85 6.6 1.55 1.14 Isobutane 46 / 61 75 2.0 0.50 0.39 Isopentane 60 / 61 98 2.0 0.48 0.35 Toluene 54 / 61 89 1.1 0.17 0.17 Benzene 56 / 61 92 0.6 0.20 0.11 Hexane 35 / 61 57 0.5 0.11 0.09 2-Methylpentane 39 / 61 64 0.4 0.13 0.08 3-Methylpentane 35 / 61 57 0.2 0.08 0.05
Anzac (AMS 14) Methanol 30 / 59 51 107.0 10.12 18.84 Isobutane 41 / 59 69 11.1 0.74 1.78 Acetone 49 / 59 83 6.0 1.93 1.34 Butane 45 / 59 76 5.3 1.07 1.00 Pentane 25 / 59 42 1.9 0.46 0.42 Isopentane 47 / 59 80 1.8 0.39 0.42 Hexane 22 / 59 37 0.8 0.16 0.17 2-Methylpentane 25 / 59 42 0.7 0.16 0.16 Benzene 57 / 59 97 0.7 0.19 0.11 Toluene 40 / 59 68 0.6 0.13 0.14 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 51
INTEGRATED MONITORING NOTES – PAH Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds (PAHs) are sampled by drawing air through a treated polyurethane foam filter using electronically controlled flow devices to control timing and flow. The foam is shipped to a laboratory, dissolved and analyzed using gas chromatography. Two filters (primary or front, and secondary or back) may be used in series to evaluate capture efficiency.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds were sampled every 6 days for a 24-hour period at 4 community stations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), Patricia McInnes (AMS 6), Athabasca Valley (AMS 7), and Anzac (AMS 14). During the year there were 62 or 63 sets of results from each station. (Prior to 2012, PAHs were sampled once per month for approximately 10 days at lower flows).
Samples were analyzed for 23 compounds. The results summary includes results from the primary (front) filter and excludes results from the secondary (back) filer. There were no duplicate samples taken.
The current PAH sampler, PUF with glass fibre filter, has low collection efficiencies for acenaphthylene, and acenaphthene. The collection efficiency of naphthalene is around 35% according to USEPA TO13A. INTEGRATED MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012 - PAH The five highest measured PAH concentrations at any station (Table 13, Figure 8) included the compounds of phenanthrene, naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene and fluorene. The highest PAH concentration of 108.6 ng/m3 was observed for phenanthrene at Anzac (AMS 14).
Phenanthrene was within the three highest observed concentrations at all locations. Phenanthrene also had the highest concentration at two locations, with concentrations of 108.6 ng/m3 at Anzac (AMS 14), and 18.7 ng/m3 at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1).
Naphthalene was within the three highest observed concentrations at three locations (and fourth highest at the other location). Naphthalene was the highest concentration at 2 locations, with concentrations of 54.5 ng/m3 at Athabasca Valley (AMS 7), and 25.8 ng/m3 at Patricia McInnes (AMS 6).
Acenaphthylene was within the three highest observed concentrations at three locations, with the highest concentration of 19.5 ng/m3 at Patricia McInnes (AMS 6).
Acenaphthene and fluorene were within the 10 highest observed concentrations at all four locations, and within the three highest concentrations at only one location, Anzac (AMS 14). At Anzac (AMS 14) the fluorene concentration of 75.3 ng/m3 was the second highest concentration and the acenaphthene concentration of 67.5 ng/m3 was the third highest. 52 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Table 13. The ten highest concentrations of PAH compounds measured at each station in 2012.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation 3 3 location compound containing (%) (ng/m ) (ng/m ) (ppbv) community stations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) Phenanthrene 63 100 18.7 3.87 3.33 Naphthalene 63 100 18.4 2.29 4.01 Acenaphthylene 63 100 13.2 0.87 1.92 Fluorene 63 100 7.5 1.32 1.15 Pyrene 63 100 3.3 0.75 0.74 Anthracene 63 100 3.2 0.49 0.52 Fluoranthene 63 100 2.8 0.57 0.51 Acenaphthene 63 100 2.1 0.55 0.47 Chrysene 63 100 2.0 0.21 0.29 Benz(a)anthracene 63 100 1.9 0.15 0.28 Acridine 63 100 1.9 0.30 0.35
Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Naphthalene 62 100 25.8 3.21 5.82 Acenaphthylene 62 100 19.5 1.31 2.78 Phenanthrene 62 100 11.9 3.05 2.38 Fluorene 62 100 5.9 1.26 1.00 Acenaphthene 62 100 2.7 0.57 0.51 Fluoranthene 62 100 2.7 0.52 0.48 Pyrene 62 100 2.2 0.48 0.41 Anthracene 62 100 1.1 0.29 0.20 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene 62 100 0.8 0.15 0.18 Benz(k)fluoranthene 20 32 0.8 0.14 0.16 Benzo(b&j)fluoranthene 20 32 0.7 0.14 0.14 Benz(a)anthracene 62 100 0.6 0.08 0.11
Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Naphthalene 63 100 54.5 4.65 7.98 Phenanthrene 63 100 9.7 2.98 1.90 Acenaphthylene 63 100 7.8 1.11 1.22 Fluorene 63 100 3.7 1.45 0.77 Acenaphthene 63 100 2.1 0.72 0.44 Fluoranthene 63 100 1.9 0.47 0.34 Pyrene 63 100 1.7 0.51 0.33 Anthracene 63 100 1.3 0.30 0.19 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene 63 100 0.8 0.12 0.14 Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 63 100 0.5 0.03 0.06 Indeno(123-cd)pyrene 63 100 0.5 0.04 0.07 Benzo(ghi)perylene 63 100 0.5 0.04 0.07
Anzac (AMS 14) Phenanthrene 62 100 108.6 14.83 23.60 Fluorene 62 100 75.3 8.13 13.31 Acenaphthene 62 100 67.5 6.61 13.10 Naphthalene 62 100 27.6 3.19 4.49 Acridine 62 100 12.1 0.33 1.54 Fluoranthene 62 100 7.7 1.12 1.68 Anthracene 62 100 4.9 0.92 1.34 Pyrene 62 100 3.5 0.52 0.69 Acenaphthylene 62 100 1.7 0.35 0.35 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene 62 100 0.4 0.09 0.09 3-Methylcholanthrene 61 98 0.4 0.01 0.05 Benz(k)fluoranthene 21 34 0.4 0.12 0.09 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 53
Figure 8. 24-hour percentile PAH concentrations at community locations. PAH were not monitored at industry locations.
24-hour percentile concentrations PAH-2012
12
90th percentile 10 75th percentile median 25th percentile minimum 8 ) 3
(ng/m 6
4
2
0 Pyrene Acridine Fluorene Chrysene Anthracene Naphthalene Fluoranthene Phenanthrene Acenaphthene Benzo(a)pyrene Acenaphthylene Dibenzo(a,i)pyrene Dibenzo(a,l)pyrene Benz(a)anthracene Benzo(ghi)perylene Dibenzo(a,h)pyrene Benz(k)fluoranthene 3-Methylcholanthrene Benzo(k)fluoranthene Indeno(123-cd)pyrene Benzo(b)fluoranthene Dibenz(a,h)anthracene Benzo(c)phenanthrene Benzo(b&j)fluoranthene 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene
community stations 54 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
5.3.6 Particulate Matter (PM2.5) CHARACTERISTICS Ambient particulate matter (PM) consists of a mixture of atmospheric particles of varying size and chemical composition.
Measurements of the PM10 (aerosols and particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 micrometres, or microns)
include the PM2.5 fraction, which are particles that have an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 2.5 micrometres. SOURCES
Sources of PM10 include windblown soil, road dust, and industrial activities. PM2.5 are formed from gases released to the atmosphere by combustion processes, from motor vehicles, power generating plants, gas processing plants, compressor stations, household heating, and forest fires. ALBERTA OBJECTIVES AND GUIDELINES The Environment Canada and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD) ambient air
quality objective for PM2.5 concentration is: • 30 μg/m3 for a 24-hour averaging time
AESRD also has a guideline value for PM2.5 which is: • 80 μg/m3 for a 1-hour averaging time
CONTINUOUS MONITORING NOTES
Initially in 1997, continuous monitoring of PM2.5 was accomplished using a tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM). In 2001-2002, WBEA modified operating parameters of the TEOM instruments for consistency with protocols of Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD). This change coincided with a slight lowering of reported concentrations. In 2011 and 2012 (and into 2013), the TEOM analyzers have been replaced with SHARP 5030 analyzers that employ a combination beta attenuation and light scattering technology. WBEA currently has these new analyzers installed at 8 sites, with the last site scheduled for transition by spring of 2013.
In 2011 the new analyzers were installed at 4 sites: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), Athabasca Valley (AMS 7), Anzac (AMS 14) and Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16). In 2012 the technology was installed at 4 more sites: Patricia McInnes (AMS 6), Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8), Fort McKay South (AMS 13) and CNRL Horizon (AMS 15). Installation at Millenium Mine (AMS 12) is scheduled for spring 2013. CONTINUOUS MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012
The highest 1-hour PM2.5 concentrations over the entire year (Table 14, Figure 9) at industry locations ranged from 329.0 μg/m3 at Millenium Mine (AMS 12) to 460.0 μg/m3 at Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16). At community locations the highest 1-hour concentrations ranged from 256.4 μg/m3 at Anzac (AMS 14), to 1242.5 μg/m3 at Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8). Some highest 1-hour concentrations at community locations were lower, and some were higher than the range of highest 1-hour concentrations at industry locations.
The highest 1-hour PM2.5 concentration monitored in part of the year by the portable station at the industry location of Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101 October-December) was 50.0 μg/m3. At the community location of Conklin 3 (AMS 101 May-October) the highest 1-hour PM2.5 concentration was 268.2 μg/m . Highest 1-hour concentrations measured in periods of the year by the portable station were likely influenced most by presence or absence of forest fires.
3 The 99th percentile PM2.5 concentrations at each station ranged from 20.5 to 81.9 μg/m , and the 98th percentile PM2.5 concentrations at each station ranged from 14.8 to 51.2 μg/m3. At all but 2 stations, 99th percentile concentrations were 5 to 11 times lower than highest concentrations, and 98th percentile concentrations were 7 to 15 times lower than highest concentrations. In other words, the highest two percent of concentrations were 7 to 15 times greater than concentrations observed 98 percent of the time, and the highest one percent of concentrations was 5 to 11 times greater than concentrations observed 99 percent of the time.
3 The Alberta 24-hour ambient air quality objective for PM2.5 of 30 μg/m was exceeded 65 times in 2012 (Figure 10). Of these, 51 exceedences occurred in the months of June and July. The objective was exceeded 36 times at industry locations and 29 times at community locations. At industry locations there were 12 exceedences at CNRL Horizon (AMS 15), 11 at Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16), 9 at Millenium Mine (AMS 12), and 4 at Fort McKay South (AMS 13). At community stations there were 8 exceedences of the objective at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), 6 at Patricia McInnes (AMS 6), 5 at Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8),4 at Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) and 3 each at Conklin (AMS 101 May-October) and Anzac (AMS 14). WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 55
3 Table 14. Annual average, maximum and percentile 1-hour concentrations of PM2.5 ( μg/m ) in 2012. annual 1-hour station average maximum percentiles
1 5 10 25 50 75 90 95 99
industry stations: Millennium Mine (AMS 12) 10.67 329.0 0.7 2.7 3.4 5.0 7.5 12.0 19.1 26.9 56.1 CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) 9.35 437.6 0.3 1.2 2.0 3.4 5.6 9.5 16.6 26.8 81.9 Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) 9.19 460.0 0.6 1.1 1.5 2.8 5.3 9.5 17.0 27.0 71.7 Fort McKay South (AMS 13) 6.79 409.7 0.0 0.8 1.3 2.3 4.3 7.5 13.2 18.8 46.2 * Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101) Oct-Dec 4.19 50.0 0.3 0.3 0.8 1.7 2.9 5.6 8.9 11.2 20.5 community stations: + Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) 8.00 563.4 0.1 0.6 1.2 2.4 4.8 9.2 15.8 23.1 56.7 * Conklin (AMS 101) May-Oct 7.80 268.2 0.3 1.0 1.5 2.5 4.7 8.6 15.2 22.8 54.6 Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) 6.71 386.1 0.3 0.9 1.5 2.8 4.8 7.9 13.2 17.6 35.1 Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) 5.46 1242.5 0.1 0.6 1.1 1.9 3.1 5.2 9.4 14.4 36.5 Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 5.10 308.4 0.0 0.0 0.4 1.6 3.2 5.9 10.3 14.7 36.3 Anzac (AMS 14) 4.99 256.4 0.4 1.0 1.4 2.1 3.5 5.7 9.0 12.8 32.8
air quality objective ( μg/m3) n/a n/a * The portable monitoring station (AMS 101) operated at 3 locations in 2012, thus results for each location represent only part of the year and require discretion when comparing to results at other locations. + renamed from ‘Fort McKay (AMS 1)’ in May 2012.
Figure 9. Maximum 1-hour PM2.5 concentrations and Figure 10. Maximum 24-hour PM2.5 concentrations the 99th, 98th and 90th percentiles at industry and (average of 24 1-hour concentrations) and the 99th, 98th, community stations. 95th and 90th percentiles at industry and community stations. The number of exceedences of the 24-hour
PM2.5 air quality objective is indicated.
1200 200 5 maximum maximum 99 percentile 99 percentile 180 1000 98 percentile 98 percentile 160 95th percentile 90th percentile 90th percentile 140 8
) 800 ) 4 3 3 120 9 12 g/m g/m μ μ
( 600 ( 100 11 3 80 4 6 400 60 3 40 200 20 0 0 Anzac (AMS 14) Anzac (AMS 14) CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) CNRL Horizon Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) Chipewyan Fort Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) Chipewyan Fort Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Patricia Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Patricia Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Valley Athabasca Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Valley Athabasca Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Conklin (AMS101) May-Oct Conklin Conklin (AMS 101) May-Oct Conklin Fort McKay South (AMS 13) McKay Fort Fort McKay South (AMS 13) McKay Fort Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) River Albian Muskeg (AMS 16) River Albian Muskeg Bertha Ganter – Fort McKay (AMS 1) McKay – Fort Bertha Ganter Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) McKay - Fort Bertha Ganter Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS101) Oct-Dec Lake Christina Cenovus Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101) Oct-Dec Lake Christina Cenovus
industry stations community stations industry stations community stations 56 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
5.3.7 Ozone (O3) CHARACTERISTICS
Ozone (O3) is a pale blue gas that has a sharp odour. At low concentrations, ozone in air affects organic materials such as latex, plastics, animal lung tissue and sensitive plants. Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent facilitating many atmospheric reactions with most metals, nitric oxide, ammonia, sulfides, carbon and hydrogen sulphide. SOURCES Unlike other pollutants, ozone is also a natural component of the atmosphere with greater concentrations at higher altitudes. Ozone is also produced in the atmosphere through a series of complex chemical reactions, some of which involve other emitted substances. Ozone concentrations are influenced largely by presence of nitrogen oxides and reactive hydrocarbons, and also by strong sunlight and warmer temperatures. ALBERTA OBJECTIVES
The Alberta ambient air quality objectives for O3 was: • 1-hour average of 82 ppb (160 μg/m3)
There is also a Canada-wide Standard for O3 that in 2012 was: • 65 ppb, 8-hour averaging time based on the 4th highest measurement annually, averaged over 3 consecutive years
CONTINUOUS MONITORING NOTES
Continuous monitoring of O3 is conducted with electronic analyzers using ultraviolet photometry. Concentrations
of O3 are indicated by reduction of intensity for a wavelength specific light due to absorption by O3 molecules in the air sample. CONTINUOUS MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012
The highest 1-hour O3 concentration (Figure 11) at the single industry location with monitoring over the entire year, Fort McKay South (AMS 13), was 93.0 ppb. At community stations, the highest 1-hour concentrations over the entire year ranged from 59.8 at Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8), to 71.7 ppb at Patricia McInnes (AMS 6). The highest concentration
at community locations was about three quarters of the highest concentration at the industry location. High O3 concentrations can be due to natural processes in the atmosphere.
The highest 1-hour O3 concentration monitored over part of the year by the portable station at the industry location of Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101 October-December) was 41.9 ppb. At the community location of Conklin (AMS 101
May-October) the average O3 concentration was 65.2 ppb. The highest concentration monitored in part of the year measured by the portable station at the community location (Conklin (AMS 101 May-October) was comparable to highest 1-hour concentrations at all other locations, while the highest concentration at the industry location (Cenovus
Christina Lake (AMS 101 October-December) was somewhat lower. This difference may reflect the annual O3 cycle of highest concentrations in late spring.
The 99th percentile O3 concentrations ranged from 37.8 to 57.8 ppb. The 99th percentile concentrations ranged from two thirds to nearly equal the highest concentrations which ranged from 41.9 to 93.0 ppb. Median and average concentrations were comparable. These observations indicate the absence of relative high concentrations, and the absence of a large number of very small concentrations.
The Alberta one-hour ambient air quality objective for O3 of 82 ppb was exceeded only once at WBEA monitoring stations in 2012, in July at Fort McKay South (AMS 13). WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 57
Figure 11. Maximum 1-hour O3 concentrations and the 99th and 90th percentiles at industry and community locations. The number of exceedences of the 1-hour O 160 3 maximum air quality objective is indicated. 140 99 percentile 90 percentile 120
100
(ppb) 80
60
40
20
0 Anzac (AMS 14) Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) Chipewyan Fort Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Patricia Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Valley Athabasca Conklin (AMS 101) May-Oct Conklin Fort McKay South (AMS 13) McKay Fort Bertha Ganter – Fort McKay (AMS 1) McKay – Fort Bertha Ganter Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101) Oct-Dec Lake Christina Cenovus
industry community stations stations 58 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
5.3.8 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) CHARACTERISTICS
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a reddish-brown gas with a pungent, irritating odour.
Oxides of nitrogen, mostly in the form of nitric oxide, NO, and nitrogen dioxide, NO2, are produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. Nitric oxide is the major component of nitrogen oxides in emissions from combustion sources and is rapidly
converted to NO2 in the atmosphere. NO2 is the major component of nitrogen oxides in the ambient atmosphere, away from combustion sources.
Nitrogen dioxide plays a major role in atmospheric photochemical reactions and ground level ozone formation and destruction. ALBERTA OBJECTIVES
3 Alberta ambient air quality objective for NO2 is: 1-hour average of 159 ppb (300 μg/m ) • Annual average of 24 ppb (45 μg/m3)
CONTINUOUS MONITORING NOTES
Monitoring of NO2 is conducted using electronic analyzers that employ chemiluminescence, in which light given off by a chemical reaction is proportional to concentration of gas in the reaction. At different stages of the analyzer’s process,
NO, and then NOX converted to NO, are reacted with O3 to produce light. The intensities of light indicate concentrations
of NO and concentrations of NOX in the air sample. From these concentrations, the analyzer calculates and outputs the
concentration of NO2. CONTINUOUS MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012
The maximum 1-hour NO2 concentrations monitored over the entire year (Table 15, Figure 12) at industry locations ranged from 49.3 ppb at Fort McKay South (AMS 13) to 141.0 ppb at Millenium Mine (AMS 12). At community locations, the maximum 1-hour concentrations ranged from 25.3 ppb at Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) to 52.1 ppb at Athabasca Valley (AMS 7). Maximum 1-hour concentrations at community stations were about one half the highest 1-hour concentrations at industry stations. The maximum 1-hour average concentration of 141.0 ppb was slightly less than the Alberta annual 1-hour average air quality objective of 159 ppb.
The maximum 1-hour NO2 concentrations monitored in periods of the year by the portable station at industry locations ranged from 21.0 ppb at Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101 October-December) to 96.2 ppb at Conoco Phillips Surmont
(AMS 101 January-March). At the community location of Conklin (AMS 101 May-October) the highest 1-hour NO2 concentration was 7.7 ppb. Maximum 1-hour concentrations measured by the portable station in periods of the year were the lowest concentrations measured at both industry and community locations.
The maximum 1-hour NO2 concentrations at all stations in 2012 ranged from 7.7 to 141.0 ppb. The 99th percentile NO2 concentrations ranged from 3.1 to 45.0 ppb. At each station the 99th percentile concentrations were generally one to two thirds less than the highest concentrations. Thus values of the highest concentrations were not significantly greater than highest concentrations measured 99 percent, or most of the time.
The Alberta one-hour ambient air quality objective for NO2 of 159 ppb and the annual average objective of 24 ppb was not exceeded at any station in 2012. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 59
Table 15. Annual average, maximum and percentile 1-hour concentrations of NO2 (ppb) in 2012. annual 1-hour station average maximum percentiles
1 5 10 25 50 75 90 95 99
industry locations: Millennium Mine (AMS 12) 13.39 141.0 0.8 1.4 2.0 4.7 10.6 20.4 28.7 32.8 42.0 Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) 10.99 68.6 0.0 0.4 1.0 3.1 8.7 16.7 24.1 28.8 40.3 * Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101) Jan-Mar 7.74 96.2 0.5 0.8 1.2 2.4 5.1 9.5 17.2 24.2 45.0 Fort McKay South (AMS 13) 6.81 49.3 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.9 3.6 10.2 19.0 23.6 30.9 CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) 6.37 51.7 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.9 3.0 8.4 18.1 25.0 36.1 * Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101) Oct-Dec 2.12 21.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.6 1.4 2.8 4.8 6.5 10.2 community locations: Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) 9.32 52.1 0.6 1.3 1.9 3.5 6.9 13.1 20.7 25.5 33.8 + Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) 7.21 48.5 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.9 3.7 10.7 20.5 25.4 33.5 Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 6.15 41.7 0.1 0.3 0.4 1.4 3.7 8.5 16.0 21.2 28.5 Anzac (AMS 14) 2.72 40.0 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.7 1.6 3.5 6.7 9.0 14.7 Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) 0.96 25.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.8 2.1 4.1 11.4 * Conklin (AMS 101) May-Oct 0.63 7.7 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.7 1.2 1.6 3.1
air quality objective (ppb) 24 159 * The portable monitoring station (AMS 101) operated at 3 locations in 2012, thus results for each location represent only part of the year and require discretion when comparing to results at other locations. + renamed from ‘Fort McKay (AMS 1)’ in May 2012.
Figure 12. Maximum 1-hour NO2 concentrations and the 99th and 90th percentile values at industry and community locations. There were no exceedences of the 150 maximum 1-hour NO2 air quality objective. 99 percentile 90 percentile
100 (ppb)
50
0 Anzac (AMS 14) CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) CNRL Horizon Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) Chipewyan Fort Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Patricia Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Valley Athabasca Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Conklin (AMS 101) May-Oct Conklin Fort McKay South (AMS 13) McKay Fort Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) River Albian Muskeg Bertha Ganter – Fort McKay (AMS 1) McKay – Fort Bertha Ganter Cenovus Christina Lake (AMS 101) Oct-Dec Lake Christina Cenovus Conoco Phillips Surmont (AMS 101) Jan-Mar Conoco
industry stations community stations 60 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
5.3.9 Ammonia (NH3) CHARACTERISTICS
Ammonia (NH3) is a naturally occurring, colourless, acrid-smelling gas. It is volatile and highly water-soluble. On a global scale, more than 99% of the ammonia present in the atmosphere is the result of natural processes, mainly biological degradation of organic matter, such as plants and animals, and chemical and microbial degradation of animal wastes, in particular, urine. The major sources for atmospheric emissions of ammonia in Alberta are agricultural activities (animal feedlot operations and other activities), biomass burning (including forest fires), fertilizer plants, and to a lesser
extent fossil fuel combustion and accidental releases. Ammonia is used for scrubbing SO2 from one emission source in the RMWB.
Gaseous ammonia is a very important basic compound in the atmosphere. It reacts readily with acidic substances or sulphur dioxide to form ammonium salts that occur predominantly in the fine particle (size less than 2.5 microns) fraction. A small amount of gaseous ammonia is converted to nitric oxide (NO). ALBERTA OBJECTIVES Alberta ambient air quality objective for ammonia is:
• 1-hour average of 2000 ppb (1400 μg/m3), effective 1976, reviewed 2004
CONTINUOUS MONITORING NOTES
Monitoring of NH3 is conducted using electronic analyzers that employ chemiluminescence, in which light given off by a chemical reaction is proportional to concentration of gas in the reaction. In different stages of the analyzer’s process,
concentrations of various nitrogen compounds (NO, NOX and NOy) are determined by conversion to NO, reaction
with O3, and measuring resulting light which is proportional to the concentration of each compound. From these
concentrations, the analyzer calculates and outputs the concentration of NH3. CONTINUOUS MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012 Ammonia is monitored at two community stations, Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) and Patricia McInnes (AMS
6). Continuous monitoring observations of NH3 concentrations from these stations in 2012 are summarized in Table 16.
Measurements of NH3 concentrations were below the detection limit of the analyzer most of the time. The maximum one-hour average concentrations were 64.0 ppb at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) and 34.0 ppb at Patricia McInnes (AMS 6). The 99th percentile concentration at both sites was undetectable indicating the very infrequent
measurements of NH3. There were no exceedences of the Alberta ambient air quality objective for NH3 of 2000 ppb.
Table 16 . Annual average, maximum and percentile 1-hour concentrations of NH3 (ppb) in 2012. annual 1-hour station average maximum percentiles
1 5 10 25 50 75 90 95 99
community locations: + Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) 0.07 64.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 0.01 34.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
air quality objective (ppb) n/a 2000 + renamed from ‘Fort McKay (AMS 1)’ in May 2012. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 61
5.3.10 Carbon Monoxide (CO) CHARACTERISTICS Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas. SOURCES Carbon monoxide is formed from the incomplete combustion of carbon in fossil fuels. Transportation and vehicle emissions are the major source of carbon monoxide with elevated concentrations during the morning and evening rush hours. Other sources include building heating systems, boilers, and industrial operations. ALBERTA OBJECTIVES The Alberta ambient air quality objectives for carbon monoxide are:
• 1 hour average of 13 ppm (15,000 μg/m3) • 8 hour average of 5 ppm (6,000 μg/m3)
CONTINUOUS MONITORING NOTES Measurement of CO is conducted using analyzers that employ infrared absorption. CO absorbs infrared radiation of wavelength 4.6 microns. Reduction in intensity of light with this wavelength from a calibrated light source when passed through an air sample is indicative of the concentration of CO in ambient air. CONTINUOUS MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012 Carbon monoxide is monitored only at the Athabasca Valley location in Fort McMurray (AMS 7). Continuous monitoring observations of CO concentrations from this stations in 2012 are summarized in Table 17. The maximum one-hour average concentration was 2.6 ppm. The 99th percentile concentration of 0.5 ppm was less than one fifth the maximum concentration. Median and average concentrations were comparable, indicating low frequency of both extremely large and very small concentrations. There were no exceedences of the Alberta ambient air quality guidelines for CO in 2012.
Table 17. Annual average, maximum and percentile 1-hour concentrations of CO (ppm) in 2012.
annual 1-hour station average maximum percentiles
1 5 10 25 50 75 90 95 99
community locations: Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) 0.19 2.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
air quality objective (ppm) n/a 13 62 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
5.3.11 Passive Monitoring (SO2, NO2, O3, H2S, HNO3, NH3) The current passive monitoring program at WBEA came into being over time with various subprograms. This resulted in variations in monitoring from site to site, including: parameters measured, sample period length, number of samples per parameter (duplicate, triplicate sampling) and monitoring at multiple elevations. The passive sampling underwent a large number of changes in the previous year, 2011. Changes are summarized to link previous and current program formats. In 2011, sampling periods at continuous air monitoring sites (AMS) were reduced from 12 to 10 samples per year for consistency with periods at forestry sites where winter month sampling periods have always been two-months.
Ammonia (NH3) sampling using Maxxam samplers was introduced in 2011. Re-naming of some forest health sites also occurred. Sampling using USDA passives was discontinued at a number of sites. Some forest edge sites were destroyed by widespread forest fires in May and June of 2011.
Passive sampling results for 2012 (Table 18) were based on all available laboratory results at the time of press. Results for
HNO3 and NH3 from USDA samples had not yet been received. The reporting period for Maxxam samples extends from December 7, 2011 to February 2, 2013. All samples for each site and parameter were averaged for presentation without weighting by exposure period.
Highest passive SO2 concentrations were measured at sites closer to industrial areas and lower concentrations
at sites at greater distances from industrial areas. The highest average SO2 concentrations were 2.5 ppb at Mildred
Lake (AMS 2), 1.9 ppb at JP104 and 1.8 ppb at R2. The lowest SO2 concentrations of 0.2 ppb occurred at JP108, and 0.3 ppb at SM7.
Passive concentrations of NO2 were highest in industrial and urban areas. Highest NO2 concentrations ranged from 3.2 to 6.8 ppb at Mildred Lake (AMS 2), JP104, Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), Patricia McInnes (AMS 6),
R2 and JP212. Lowest concentrations of NO2 ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 ppb at BM7, JP108, BM11, NE10 SM7 and JP213. Ozone concentrations from passive samplers ranged from highest values of 31.1 ppb at Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) and
29.8 ppb at JP213, to lowest values of 17.1 at JP212, and 17.5 ppb at R2. The lower O3 concentrations generally occurred
at sites with the highest NO2 concentrations.
Passive NH3 data available at time of press was limited to measurement at the continuous monitoring (AMS) sites.
The highest passive NH3 concentration of 0.6 ppb occurred at Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8). Passive NH3 concentrations at other sites were below detection of the passive samplers. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 63
Table 18. Average passive monitoring concentrations of SO2, NO2, O3 and NH3 in 2012
Maxxam Passives
SO2 NO2 O3 NH3 sample sample sample sample mean (ppb) mean (ppb) mean (ppb) mean (ppb)
station number of sampling periods count count count count
AMS 1 10 30 1.2 30 3.7 30 19.1 30 0.0 AMS 2 10 30 2.5 30 6.8 30 19.1 30 0.0 AMS 6 10 30 1.1 30 3.5 30 22.8 30 0.0 AMS 8 10 22 0.5 23 0.4 27 31.1 29 0.6 AMS 14 10 28 0.7 28 1.5 30 21.3 30 0.0 AH3 10 20 0.6 20 0.9 20 25.7 . . AH7 5 10 1.7 10 2.0 8 23.2 . . AH8-R 10 20 0.7 20 0.8 20 22.0 . . BM10 10 10 0.6 10 0.3 10 21.6 . . BM11 10 10 0.7 10 0.2 10 25.0 . . BM7 10 10 0.4 10 0.1 10 28.0 . . JP101 10 20 0.8 20 0.6 19 27.1 . . JP102 10 20 1.1 20 1.9 20 23.2 . . JP104 10 20 1.9 19 3.9 20 22.1 . . JP107 9 18 0.8 18 1.0 18 27.4 . . JP108 9 18 0.2 18 0.2 18 20.5 . . JP205 10 20 0.7 20 0.4 20 28.3 . . JP210 10 20 0.5 20 0.4 20 26.2 . . JP212 10 10 1.5 10 3.2 10 17.1 . . JP213 10 19 0.6 20 0.3 20 29.8 . . JP316 3 6 0.7 6 0.6 6 24.4 . . NE10 10 10 0.4 10 0.2 10 23.8 . . NE11 9 9 1.0 9 1.2 9 20.1 . . NE7 10 10 1.0 10 1.1 10 25.1 . . R2 10 10 1.8 10 3.2 10 17.5 . . SM7 10 10 0.3 10 0.3 10 27.6 . . SM8 10 9 0.6 9 0.4 10 26.7 . . WF4 10 10 1.2 10 0.8 10 19.4 . . Average concentrations from passive monitoring were compared with average concentrations from continuous monitoring at locations where both modes of measurement were conducted (Table 19). Continuous and passive results
for SO2, NO2 and O3 were available at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) and Anzac (AMS
14). Continuous and passive results for NH3 were available at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) and Patricia McInnes (AMS 6). Continuous results in the comparison were averaged over the passive deployment period to the day (including the latter days of 2011 and the initial days of 2012).
Average continuous SO2 concentrations were generally lower than average passive concentrations, with factors ranging
from 0.6 to 1.1. Average continuous NO2 concentrations were greater than passive concentrations by factors of 2.0 to
2.3. Average continuous O3 concentrations were generally comparable to average passive concentrations by factors of
0.9 to 1.2. Rigorous comparison of NH3 could not be made as concentrations were well below the operational detection limits of the continuous analyzers and passive sampling technology most of the time. 64 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Table 19. Comparison of average continuous and passive monitoring results in 2012.
station parameter continuous passive ratio (ppb) (ppb) (fraction)
Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) SO2 1.3 1.2 1.1 Mildred Lake (AMS 2) 2.2 2.5 0.9 Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 0.8 1.1 0.7 Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) 0.3 0.5 0.6 Anzac (AMS 14) 0.6 0.7 0.9
Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) NO2 8.2 3.7 2.2 Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 6.9 3.5 2.0 Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) 1.0 0.4 2.3 Anzac (AMS 14) 3.1 1.5 2.1
Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) O3 18.0 19.1 0.9 Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 24.0 22.8 1.1 Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) 28.2 31.1 0.9 Anzac (AMS 14) 26.1 21.3 1.2
Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) NH3 0.1 0.0 . Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 0.0 0.0 .
5.3.12 Metals and Ions from PM2.5 and
PM10 Time Integrated Monitoring
INTEGRATED MONITORING NOTES – PM2.5 AND PM10
WBEA has conducted time integrated, filter-based sampling to measure PM2.5 and PM10 at selected continuous monitoring (AMS) stations.
Samples were collected on pre-weighed laboratory filters. Air flow passed first through cyclones limiting particles to those of sizes less than either 2.5 or 10 microns. Air then passed through the filter at flow rates controlled and measured by the sampling system, Filters were then re-weighed back at the laboratory to determine the amount of mass collected, and the average concentration in the sampling period. Filters were then processed using gas chromatography to determine concentrations of selected ions and metals. Samples were analyzed for 25 metals and 8 ions. The sampling system was controlled by station’s data acquisition system and operated for 1-day, 24-hour periods (from midnight to midnight) every six days. This sampling frequency provides for a maximum of 60 samples for the year. (There was a change in the sampling frequency at the beginning of 2012, from previous years - sampling frequency was increased from 12 days to 6 days at all sites for consistency with the National Air Pollution Surveillance Network (NAPS) sampling protocols used by Environment Canada and the United States Environmental Protection Agency).
Measurements of PM2.5 were made at 4 community locations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), Patricia McInnes
(AMS 6), Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) and Anzac (AMS 14). Measurements of PM10 were made at the same community locations, and also at 4 industry locations: Millenium Mine (AMS 12), Fort McKay South (AMS 13), CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) and Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16).
Presented results for metal and ion concentrations from PM2.5 and PM10 filters are based on samples satisfying preliminary quality assurance (QA) conditions, such as adequate flow and sampling time, and concentrations greater than detection limits of the measurement system and laboratory procedures. There were between 55 and 60 samples per site satisfying these criteria and having detectable concentrations for one or more ion and metal compounds. INTEGRATED MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012 - IONS
3 The highest ion concentrations in PM2.5 filters (Table 20) were 10.6 μg/m of nitrate at both Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) and Anzac (AMS 14). Sulphate and nitrate were the two ions with highest concentrations at all 4 sites, except at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) where sulphate and calcium had highest concentrations. Sulphate and nitrate were
the two ions most frequently measured in PM2.5 filters at all sites. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 65
3 The highest ion concentration in PM10 filters at community locations (Table 21) was 7.4 μg/m of chloride at Athabasca
Valley (AMS 7). Sulphate and nitrate were the two ions with highest concentrations in PM10 filters at Anzac (AMS 14), and sulphate and calcium at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1). (These were the same two ions with highest
concentrations in PM2.5 filters). At Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) and Athabasca Valley (AMS 7), chloride and sodium had the
highest concentrations in PM10 filters– different ions than for the PM2.5 filters.
3 The highest ion concentrations in PM10 filters at industry locations (Table 22) were 16.3 μg/m of nitrate at Millenium Mine (AMS 12) and 11.6 μg/m3 of nitrate at CNRL Horizon (AMS 15). The two ions with highest concentrations were sulphate and calcium at Fort McKay South (AMS 13) and Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16), and nitrate and calcium at Millenium Mine (AMS 12) and CNRL Horizon (AMS 15).
Table 20. Ion concentrations measured in PM2.5 filter 24-hour sampling at each community location in 2012, ordered by maximum concentration.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation location compound containing (%) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3)
community locations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) Sulphate 55 / 55 100 10.6 1.03 1.45 Calcium 21 / 55 38 2.1 0.28 0.42 Potassium 50 / 55 91 1.4 0.08 0.21 Nitrate 55 / 55 100 1.2 0.22 0.26 Ammonium (as N) 3 / 55 5 0.6 0.28 0.28 Sodium 3 / 55 5 0.3 0.30 0.02 Chloride 18 / 55 33 0.2 0.06 0.06 Magnesium 5 / 55 9 0.1 0.06 0.02
Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Sulphate 58 / 59 98 2.0 0.73 0.46 Nitrate 58 / 59 98 1.4 0.20 0.25 Ammonium (as N) 3 / 59 5 0.6 0.40 0.19 Calcium 28 / 59 47 0.6 0.21 0.11 Sodium 4 / 59 7 0.5 0.29 0.12 Chloride 26 / 59 44 0.4 0.05 0.07 Potassium 54 / 59 92 0.3 0.05 0.05 Magnesium 4 / 59 7 0.1 0.06 0.02
Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Sulphate 53 / 56 95 3.0 0.70 0.54 Nitrate 54 / 56 96 1.2 0.22 0.25 Calcium 29 / 56 52 0.9 0.21 0.16 Ammonium (as N) 3 / 56 5 0.5 0.32 0.19 Sodium 8 / 56 14 0.3 0.25 0.07 Chloride 29 / 56 52 0.3 0.08 0.08 Potassium 47 / 56 84 0.2 0.05 0.04 Magnesium 3 / 56 5 0.1 0.09 0.04
Anzac (AMS 14) Nitrate 58 / 58 100 10.6 0.32 1.39 Sulphate 57 / 58 98 1.7 0.63 0.42 Ammonium (as N) 3 / 58 5 0.6 0.41 0.20 Calcium 28 / 58 48 0.4 0.18 0.08 Sodium 2 / 58 3 0.4 0.35 0.08 Chloride 14 / 58 24 0.3 0.05 0.07 Potassium 48 / 58 83 0.2 0.04 0.04 Magnesium 2 / 58 3 0.1 0.07 0.02 66 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Table 21. Ion concentrations measured in PM10 filter 24-hour sampling at each community location in 2012, ordered by maximum concentration.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation location compound containing (%) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3)
community locations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) Calcium 37 / 57 65 3.0 0.60 0.63 Sulphate 56 / 57 98 2.9 0.86 0.56 Nitrate 57 / 57 100 1.5 0.29 0.30 Sodium 7 / 57 12 0.7 0.36 0.20 Ammonium (as N) 3 / 57 5 0.7 0.32 0.31 Chloride 43 / 57 75 0.5 0.10 0.12 Potassium 53 / 57 93 0.3 0.06 0.06 Magnesium 21 / 57 37 0.3 0.09 0.05
Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Chloride 49 / 58 84 2.8 0.28 0.52 Sodium 16 / 58 28 2.1 0.60 0.52 Sulphate 58 / 58 100 2.1 0.74 0.46 Nitrate 58 / 58 100 1.6 0.28 0.32 Calcium 37 / 58 64 1.2 0.39 0.28 Ammonium (as N) 3 / 58 5 0.7 0.41 0.22 Potassium 55 / 58 95 0.3 0.06 0.05 Magnesium 26 / 58 45 0.2 0.08 0.05
Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Chloride 57 / 59 97 7.4 0.62 1.42 Sodium 21 / 59 36 5.3 1.16 1.43 Sulphate 58 / 59 98 3.3 0.82 0.58 Calcium 49 / 59 83 2.4 0.49 0.40 Nitrate 58 / 59 98 1.4 0.36 0.36 Ammonium (as N) 4 / 59 7 0.4 0.32 0.12 Magnesium 37 / 59 63 0.3 0.09 0.05 Potassium 57 / 59 97 0.2 0.07 0.05
Anzac (AMS 14) Sulphate 59 / 59 100 1.8 0.70 0.41 Nitrate 59 / 59 100 1.3 0.20 0.23 Calcium 28 / 59 47 0.5 0.19 0.11 Ammonium (as N) 3 / 59 5 0.5 0.40 0.20 Sodium 5 / 59 8 0.5 0.33 0.12 Chloride 42 / 59 71 0.4 0.05 0.07 Potassium 56 / 59 95 0.4 0.05 0.06 Magnesium 7 / 59 12 0.1 0.07 0.02 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 67
Table 22. Ion concentrations measured in PM10 filter 24-hour sampling at each industry location in 2012, ordered by maximum concentration.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation location compound containing (%) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3)
industry locations: Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Nitrate 58 / 58 100 16.3 0.59 2.14 Calcium 52 / 58 90 8.7 1.21 1.63 Sulphate 57 / 58 98 8.2 1.28 1.40 Potassium 55 / 58 95 1.2 0.09 0.19 Sodium 21 / 58 36 1.1 0.39 0.23 Chloride 52 / 58 90 0.8 0.12 0.15 Ammonium (as N) 5 / 58 9 0.4 0.31 0.15 Magnesium 35 / 58 60 0.3 0.11 0.07
Fort McKay South (AMS 13) Sulphate 57 / 57 100 3.1 0.88 0.63 Calcium 45 / 57 79 2.0 0.46 0.44 Nitrate 57 / 57 100 1.1 0.20 0.17 Sodium 7 / 57 12 0.4 0.28 0.09 Chloride 42 / 57 74 0.4 0.07 0.09 Ammonium (as N) 4 / 57 7 0.3 0.22 0.11 Potassium 55 / 57 96 0.2 0.05 0.04 Magnesium 19 / 57 33 0.2 0.07 0.04
CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) Nitrate 59 / 59 100 11.6 0.48 1.52 Calcium 45 / 59 76 4.3 0.61 0.75 Sulphate 59 / 59 100 3.7 0.95 0.71 Sodium 10 / 59 17 1.0 0.33 0.26 Chloride 39 / 59 66 0.9 0.09 0.16 Ammonium (as N) 4 / 59 7 0.4 0.29 0.18 Potassium 56 / 59 95 0.3 0.06 0.06 Magnesium 24 / 59 41 0.2 0.08 0.04
Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) Sulphate 58 / 58 100 3.9 0.98 0.75 Calcium 46 / 58 79 2.6 0.80 0.64 Nitrate 58 / 58 100 1.4 0.27 0.26 Sodium 6 / 58 10 0.7 0.34 0.18 Ammonium (as N) 4 / 58 7 0.5 0.31 0.19 Chloride 45 / 58 78 0.5 0.09 0.11 Potassium 53 / 58 91 0.2 0.05 0.04 Magnesium 32 / 58 55 0.2 0.09 0.04 68 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
INTEGRATED MONITORING OBSERVATIONS IN 2012 - METALS
3 The highest metal concentrations in PM2.5 filters at community locations (Table 23) were 3.66 μg/m of iron at Athabasca Valley (AMS 7), and 2.56 μg/m3 of iron at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1). Iron and aluminum were the two metals with highest concentrations all 4 sites, except at Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) where iron and copper had highest
concentrations. Aluminum and manganese were the two metals most frequently measured in PM10 filters, being found in all samples at all sites.
3 The highest metal concentrations in PM10 filters at community locations (Table 24) were 8.59 μg/m of iron at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) and 4.29 μg/m3 of iron at Athabasca Valley (AMS 7). Iron and aluminum were the two
metals with highest concentrations in PM10 filters at all sites - the same two metals with highest concentrations in PM2.5
filters at all sites. The most frequently measured metals in PM10 filters were aluminum, manganese and barium, being present in almost all samples at each community location.
3 The highest metal concentrations in PM10 filters at industry locations (Table 25) were 23.30 μg/m of iron and 11.5 μg/m3 of aluminum both at Millenium Mine (AMS 12). Iron and aluminum were the two metals with highest
concentrations at each site. Aluminum, manganese and barium were measured in almost all PM10 filters from industry locations. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 69
Table 23. Ten highest metal concentrations measured in PM2.5 filter 24-hour sampling at each community location in 2012.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation location compound containing (%) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3)
community locations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) Iron 52 / 56 93 2.56 0.22 0.37 Aluminum 56 / 56 100 0.54 0.07 0.08 Copper 52 / 56 93 0.52 0.04 0.07 Iron (57) 4 / 56 7 0.22 0.14 0.07 Zinc 52 / 56 93 0.14 0.02 0.03 Copper (63) 4 / 56 7 0.11 0.03 0.05 Manganese 56 / 56 100 0.10 0.01 0.02 Boron 22 / 56 39 0.07 0.03 0.01 Nickel 26 / 56 46 0.05 0.01 0.01 Titanium 33 / 56 59 0.02 0.00 0.00
Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Iron 55 / 59 93 0.48 0.16 0.12 Copper 55 / 59 93 0.25 0.02 0.03 Aluminum 59 / 59 100 0.18 0.06 0.05 Iron (57) 4 / 59 7 0.17 0.13 0.04 Zinc 55 / 59 93 0.14 0.02 0.02 Boron 24 / 59 41 0.03 0.03 0.00 Manganese 59 / 59 100 0.03 0.01 0.01 Cobalt 51 / 59 86 0.02 0.00 0.00 Zinc (66) 4 / 59 7 0.02 0.01 0.00 Copper (63) 4 / 59 7 0.01 0.01 0.00
Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Iron 52 / 56 93 3.66 0.34 0.61 Aluminum 56 / 56 100 0.55 0.08 0.08 Iron (57) 4 / 56 7 0.26 0.19 0.05 Zinc 52 / 56 93 0.21 0.02 0.03 Copper 52 / 56 93 0.11 0.01 0.02 Lead 48 / 56 86 0.07 0.01 0.01 Manganese 56 / 56 100 0.05 0.01 0.01 Boron 23 / 56 41 0.05 0.03 0.00 Copper (63) 4 / 56 7 0.03 0.02 0.01 Titanium 33 / 56 59 0.02 0.00 0.00
Anzac (AMS 14) Iron 55 / 59 93 0.38 0.08 0.07 Aluminum 59 / 59 100 0.22 0.04 0.03 Iron (57) 4 / 59 7 0.13 0.08 0.03 Zinc 55 / 59 93 0.06 0.01 0.01 Copper 55 / 59 93 0.06 0.02 0.01 Boron 23 / 59 39 0.05 0.03 0.01 Nickel 20 / 59 34 0.01 0.00 0.00 Copper (63) 4 / 59 7 0.01 0.01 0.00 Manganese 59 / 59 100 0.01 0.00 0.00 Chromium 52 / 59 88 0.01 0.00 0.00 70 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Table 24. Ten highest metal concentrations measured in PM10 filter 24-hour sampling at community locations in 2012.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation location compound containing (%) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3)
community locations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) Iron 54 / 58 93 8.59 1.06 1.51 Aluminum 57 / 58 98 1.53 0.31 0.32 Iron (57) 4 / 58 7 1.34 0.75 0.50 Copper 54 / 58 93 0.21 0.06 0.06 Manganese 58 / 58 100 0.14 0.02 0.03 Copper (63) 4 / 58 7 0.12 0.08 0.04 Zinc 54 / 58 93 0.07 0.02 0.01 Titanium 45 / 58 78 0.05 0.01 0.01 Boron 25 / 58 43 0.05 0.03 0.01 Barium 57 / 58 98 0.05 0.01 0.01
Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Iron 54 / 58 93 2.71 0.71 0.68 Iron (57) 4 / 58 7 1.83 0.96 0.60 Aluminum 58 / 58 100 0.78 0.26 0.24 Zinc 54 / 58 93 0.07 0.02 0.01 Copper 54 / 58 93 0.05 0.02 0.01 Manganese 58 / 58 100 0.05 0.01 0.01 Zinc (66) 4 / 58 7 0.04 0.02 0.01 Copper (63) 4 / 58 7 0.03 0.01 0.01 Boron 23 / 58 40 0.03 0.03 0.00 Titanium 46 / 58 79 0.03 0.01 0.01
Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Iron 55 / 59 93 4.29 1.06 0.92 Iron (57) 4 / 59 7 1.20 1.13 0.08 Aluminum 59 / 59 100 1.09 0.31 0.24 Copper 55 / 59 93 0.09 0.02 0.02 Manganese 59 / 59 100 0.08 0.02 0.02 Zinc 55 / 59 93 0.08 0.02 0.01 Lead 59 / 59 100 0.08 0.00 0.01 Titanium 54 / 59 92 0.07 0.01 0.01 Boron 24 / 59 41 0.03 0.03 0.01 Barium 59 / 59 100 0.03 0.01 0.01
Anzac (AMS 14) Iron 55 / 60 92 1.28 0.28 0.30 Iron (57) 4 / 60 7 0.57 0.38 0.14 Aluminum 60 / 60 100 0.36 0.11 0.09 Copper 56 / 60 93 0.14 0.04 0.04 Zinc 56 / 60 93 0.10 0.01 0.01 Copper (63) 4 / 60 7 0.04 0.03 0.01 Nickel 29 / 60 48 0.04 0.00 0.01 Boron 23 / 60 38 0.03 0.03 0.00 Zinc (66) 4 / 60 7 0.03 0.01 0.01 Manganese 60 / 60 100 0.02 0.01 0.01 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 71
Table 25. Ten highest metal concentrations measured in PM10 filter 24-hour sampling at industry locations in 2012.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation location compound containing (%) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3)
industry locations: Millennium Mine (AMS 12) Iron 55 / 59 93 23.30 2.15 3.65 Aluminum 59 / 59 100 11.50 0.89 1.66 Zinc 55 / 59 93 2.53 0.07 0.34 Iron (57) 4 / 59 7 1.89 1.39 0.41 Phosphorus 3 / 59 5 0.58 0.33 0.23 Manganese 59 / 59 100 0.44 0.04 0.07 Titanium 51 / 59 86 0.32 0.03 0.05 Barium 59 / 59 100 0.11 0.01 0.02 Boron 27 / 59 46 0.06 0.03 0.01 Chromium 55 / 59 93 0.05 0.00 0.01
Fort McKay South (AMS 13) Iron 54 / 57 95 1.98 0.60 0.58 Aluminum 56 / 57 98 0.94 0.25 0.23 Iron (57) 3 / 57 5 0.78 0.36 0.36 Nickel 35 / 57 61 0.18 0.01 0.03 Copper 54 / 57 95 0.12 0.01 0.02 Zinc 54 / 57 95 0.04 0.02 0.01 Manganese 57 / 57 100 0.04 0.01 0.01 Boron 25 / 57 44 0.03 0.03 0.00 Titanium 46 / 57 81 0.03 0.01 0.01 Zinc (66) 3 / 57 5 0.02 0.01 0.01
CNRL Horizon (AMS 15) Iron 55 / 60 92 4.28 0.83 0.91 Aluminum 60 / 60 100 2.01 0.36 0.40 Iron (57) 4 / 60 7 1.61 1.15 0.50 Manganese 60 / 60 100 0.10 0.02 0.02 Titanium 45 / 60 75 0.07 0.01 0.02 Zinc 56 / 60 93 0.06 0.02 0.01 Copper 56 / 60 93 0.04 0.00 0.01 Boron 25 / 60 42 0.04 0.03 0.01 Titanium (50) 4 / 60 7 0.03 0.02 0.01 Barium 60 / 60 100 0.03 0.01 0.01
Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16) Iron (57) 4 / 59 7 5.42 2.80 2.11 Iron 55 / 59 93 4.63 1.23 1.10 Aluminum 59 / 59 100 1.39 0.40 0.36 Manganese 59 / 59 100 0.16 0.03 0.03 Zinc 55 / 59 93 0.09 0.02 0.01 Titanium 48 / 59 81 0.08 0.02 0.02 Copper 55 / 59 93 0.06 0.01 0.01 Titanium (50) 4 / 59 7 0.06 0.03 0.02 Nickel 49 / 59 83 0.04 0.00 0.01 Boron 25 / 59 42 0.04 0.03 0.00
Table 25 is continued on next page. 72 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Continued from previous page:
Table 25. Ten highest metal concentrations measured in PM10 filter 24-hour sampling at industry locations in 2012.
average fraction of concentration number of samples maximum in all standard samples containing concentration samples deviation location compound containing (%) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3)
community locations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) Iron 54 / 58 93 8.59 1.06 1.51 Aluminum 57 / 58 98 1.53 0.31 0.32 Iron (57) 4 / 58 7 1.34 0.75 0.50 Copper 54 / 58 93 0.21 0.06 0.06 Manganese 58 / 58 100 0.14 0.02 0.03 Copper (63) 4 / 58 7 0.12 0.08 0.04 Zinc 54 / 58 93 0.07 0.02 0.01 Titanium 45 / 58 78 0.05 0.01 0.01 Boron 25 / 58 43 0.05 0.03 0.01 Barium 57 / 58 98 0.05 0.01 0.01
Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) Iron 54 / 58 93 2.71 0.71 0.68 Iron (57) 4 / 58 7 1.83 0.96 0.60 Aluminum 58 / 58 100 0.78 0.26 0.24 Zinc 54 / 58 93 0.07 0.02 0.01 Copper 54 / 58 93 0.05 0.02 0.01 Manganese 58 / 58 100 0.05 0.01 0.01 Zinc (66) 4 / 58 7 0.04 0.02 0.01 Copper (63) 4 / 58 7 0.03 0.01 0.01 Boron 23 / 58 40 0.03 0.03 0.00 Titanium 46 / 58 79 0.03 0.01 0.01
Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) Iron 55 / 59 93 4.29 1.06 0.92 Iron (57) 4 / 59 7 1.20 1.13 0.08 Aluminum 59 / 59 100 1.09 0.31 0.24 Copper 55 / 59 93 0.09 0.02 0.02 Manganese 59 / 59 100 0.08 0.02 0.02 Zinc 55 / 59 93 0.08 0.02 0.01 Lead 59 / 59 100 0.08 0.00 0.01 Titanium 54 / 59 92 0.07 0.01 0.01 Boron 24 / 59 41 0.03 0.03 0.01 Barium 59 / 59 100 0.03 0.01 0.01
Anzac (AMS 14) Iron 55 / 60 92 1.28 0.28 0.30 Iron (57) 4 / 60 7 0.57 0.38 0.14 Aluminum 60 / 60 100 0.36 0.11 0.09 Copper 56 / 60 93 0.14 0.04 0.04 Zinc 56 / 60 93 0.10 0.01 0.01 Copper (63) 4 / 60 7 0.04 0.03 0.01 Nickel 29 / 60 48 0.04 0.00 0.01 Boron 23 / 60 38 0.03 0.03 0.00 Zinc (66) 4 / 60 7 0.03 0.01 0.01 Manganese 60 / 60 100 0.02 0.01 0.01 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 73
Average PM2.5 concentrations from time integrated, filter-based monitoring were compared with average PM2.5 concentrations from continuous monitoring at sites where both modes of measurement were conducted (Table 26).
Continuous and time integrated results for PM2.5 were available at Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), Patricia McInnes
(AMS 6), Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) and Anzac (AMS 14). Continuous PM2.5 concentrations were sometimes higher and
sometimes lower than average PM2.5 filter concentrations by factors ranging from 0.84 to 1.14.
Table 26. Comparison of average continuous and PM2.5 filter monitoring results in 2012.
continuous filter ratio station parameter ( μg/m3) ( μg/m3) (fraction)
Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) PM2.5 8.2 9.8 0.84 Patricia McInnes (AMS 6) 5.6 6.6 0.84 Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) 6.8 6.2 1.10 Anzac (AMS 14) 5.3 4.7 1.14
5.3.13 References ALBERTA AMBIENT AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES: Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives and Guidelines, issued April 2011. Government of Alberta, Environment, 5pp. http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/5726.pdf OTHER: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) 1999. Compendium Method TO-13A. Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air. Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Ambient Air Using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). EPA/625/R-96/010b. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH.
Martin Hansen Air Quality Meteorologist 74 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
5.4 2012 Air Quality Health Index Values for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
The Air Quality Health Index or “AQHI” is a health protection tool which can assist residents of the RMWB to determine how the current air quality may potentially affect their health. The AQHI was introduced, province wide, by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD), in September 2011. This tool has been developed by Health Canada and Environment Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and key health and environment stakeholders.
AESRD states that Alberta’s former Air Quality Index (AQI) measured two additional components, in order to address the province’s unique air quality issues resulting from the oil and gas industry. Under Alberta’s adoption of the AQHI, these additional components and two others – hydrogen sulphide and total reduced sulphur – are measured, while also giving Albertan’s notice when visibility is a concern and when odours may be detected. Data in the AQHI is also reported hourly under Alberta’s system, rather than the federal system’s practice of reporting every three hours. The current and forecasted provincial AQHI may be viewed on the AESRD website at: http://www.environment. alberta.ca/0977.html.
WBEA plays a vital role in the calculation of the AQHI for our region. WBEA’s continuous air analyzers provide data
for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), total reduced sulphur (TRS) and carbon monoxide (CO) from four of our air monitoring stations: Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1), Fort McMurray - Athabasca Valley (AMS 7), Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8), and Fort McKay South (AMS 13).
These data are sent every hour to AESRD for calculation of the AQHI. Hourly WBEA-measured concentrations of three
specific pollutants (PM2.5, O3, NO2) are first used to calculate the AQHI. If established pollutant thresholds for PM2.5,
O3, NO2, SO2, H2S/TRS or CO are exceeded when the AQHI value is at a Low or Moderate risk, then the AQHI value is immediately replaced with the appropriate High or Very High risk value. The Index is then reported on WBEA’s website, mobile application and on electronic message centers in Fort McMurray.
The 2012 hourly AQHI values, in this article, were provided by AESRD, and the percent of values within each of the four risk categories were calculated for participating WBEA stations as follows:
Low Moderate High Very High WBEA Air Monitoring Station Health Risk Health Risk Health Risk Health Risk Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8) 98.6% 1.0% 0.2% 0.2% Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay (AMS 1) 96.1% 3.4% 0.4% 0.2% Fort McKay South (AMS 13) 96.8% 2.6% 0.4% 0.1% Fort McMurray - Athabasca Valley (AMS 7) 97.6% 2.0% 0.2% 0 % Note: Percentages for each station have been rounded and therefore may not equal 100%.
It is important to note that the three pollutants measured to calculate the AQHI do not include the reduced the sulphur compounds and volatile organic compounds that contribute to odour events experienced in several communities within the RMWB. Public notice is intended to be given if concentrations of hydrogen sulphide and total reduced sulphur exceed the Alberta ambient air quality objective.
Therefore, the AQHI should not be used to evaluate the potential health risk from odours. The Fort McKay community maintains its own Fort McKay Air Quality Index (FMAQI), and this index does include WBEA-supplied hourly measurements of TRS in its calculation.
Dr. Kevin Percy Executive Director WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 75
Bertha Ganter - Fort McKay Fort McMurray - Athabasca Valley (AMS 1) (AMS 7) 0.4% 0.2% 3.4% 0.2% 2.0% 0%
96.1% 97.6%
Low Health Risk High Health Risk Low Health Risk High Health Risk Moderate Health Risk Very High Health Risk Moderate Health Risk Very High Health Risk
Fort Chipewyan Fort McKay South (AMS 8) (AMS 13) 0.2% 0.4% 1.0% 0.2% 2.6% 0.1%
98.6% 96.8%
Low Health Risk High Health Risk Low Health Risk High Health Risk Moderate Health Risk Very High Health Risk Moderate Health Risk Very High Health Risk 76 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring Program WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 77
6.1 Introduction The Terrestrial Effects Monitoring (TEEM) program’s goal is to operate a long term, ecosystem health-based program to detect, characterize, and quantify the impact that air emissions have had, or may have on terrestrial ecosystems and traditional land resources in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. TEEM accomplishes this through an integrated set of multidisciplinary projects that uses “practical” science to measure at key points along the air pollutant pathway. This “emission source to receptor sink” approach is implemented by a team of scientists with essential assistance from WBEA staff. The TEEM program is managed by a WBEA staff program manager, and is overseen by the TEEM Committee comprised of WBEA member representatives. The TEEM committee meets quarterly, or more often as required, such as in 2012 when a TEEM Investigator’s Workshop was held in Calgary, November 28-29th.
Between 2008 and 2012, the TEEM program underwent a major scientific enhancement with the active participation, and funding support of WBEA members. The monitoring program was re-organized around 4 sub-components:
• Effects Monitoring • Deposition Monitoring • Receptor Modeling • Frameworks and Reporting
The Forest Health (FH) concept for monitoring was adopted and more representative, responsive, specific, robust chemical/biological set of indicators were deployed based upon internal and external expert science advice. When plots are purposely selected, through intensive field investigation over a number of years, to be as similar to each other in such characteristics as plant understory composition and depth to water table, then the opportunity to detect a pollution signal is maximized. The FH network of plots received considerable investment and by 2011 had been expanded from 11 to 25 ecologically analogous jack pine plots stratified across the pollutant deposition gradients, as indicated on the following TEEM Forest Health Sites map.
TEEM Members and WBEA staff, contractors and scientists met in Calgary in November 2012 to provide an update on the projects within the TEEM program, emphasizing key results and findings. 78 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
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Five of these plots have been equipped with 30 meter tall towers, one of which is pictured to the right. These towers operate on solar/battery power and provide continuous measurement of above - and below - jack pine canopy meteorology and pollutants, including measurements within forest soil.
This was supplemented, in 2012, by a closely-associated network of jack pine edge plots located at the wetland/ upland forest interface, where air pollutant concentrations are at their maximum. The edge plots function in an “early warning” capacity, so change can be measured long before an impact is observed. An intensive peatland monitoring project was initiated that focused on the development/ validation of sensitive indicators for later deployment in regional bog ecosystems. Bogs are considered to be another “early warning” system in the region, especially for nitrogen deposition. The theory and practice of this work can be found in chapters 9 and 10 of the recently issued, peer-reviewed book, Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the Environment.
A TEEM Traditional Environmental Knowledge (TEK) project was initiated in 2010 in partnership with the community of Fort McKay. Active participation from McKay First Nation and Métis elders and residents in the Fort McKay Berry Focus Group has allowed the project to develop from early engagement and workshops to field visits and initial berry sampling, pictured to the right. The project is led by Berry Focus Group members with the assistance of the Fort McKay Sustainability Department and WBEA staff.
Deposition monitoring has been ongoing using both passive and active sampling techniques for air and terrestrial systems. A network of 23 ecosystem-based towers serves to house passive air monitoring samplers that yield monthly average concentrations for five air pollutants of concern. As only one FH site is accessible by road, passive samplers have to be changed out by helicopter access. Such data are used to determine relative exposure levels across the region and to provide needed on-site data for cause-effect linkage. As can be seen from the TEEM Forest Health Sites map, many towers are co-located at FH monitoring sites. Deposition to forest ecosystems is measured using the passive ion exchange resin (IER) technique, with samplers located in the open and under the jack pine canopy for measurement of anion/cation loadings in remote areas where continuously- measuring technology cannot be deployed due to lack of power. During the spring-fall period, deposition flux to the Conditional time average gradient technique equipment and ion terrestrial surface is measured using the conditional time exchange resin equipment at WBEA-TEEM forest health plot JP104. average gradient technique, in which sulphur/nitrogen deposition velocity data are gathered above fens for use in deposition estimates, and to provide regional data for model calibration.
Since 2009, TEEM has been using the stable isotope approach to trace the fate of sulphur and nitrogen air emissions across the landscape by measuring along the source to sink pathway. Stable isotope values in emission sources, vegetation, and soils at FH plots have been linked to determine fate of emissions within terrestrial ecosystems. Several scientific papers were published in 2012. 80 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
In 2008, TEEM completed the most extensive lichen jack pine plots. The 2011 soil and vegetation data are being sampling project in the region to date. The purpose was used to report on the state of forest health, but also change to collect samples of a known, and well-published upon from measurements taken in 1998 and 2004. WBEA is lichen bio-monitor throughout the region. A total of 359 confident that the TEEM program will be important in sites were visited extending out 150 km in all directions fulfilling all four of the science questions articulated by the from the main source area. The initial products of this Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands project were maps of sulphur/nitrogen concentrations Monitoring (JOSM) announced February 1, 2012. identifying areas of higher/lower lichen concentrations. 6.2 Report on 2012 Activities
The 2012 TEEM program was again substantial in scope. Field work focused on ongoing passive measurements, laboratory analysis of the 2011 collected field samples, data entry, infrastructure deployment and repair, and edge plot establishment. At the same time, scientists completed the source apportionment project, the “real-world” hauler emissions study and initiated the dust source study.
The following is a summary of the deliverables achieved by TEEM in 2012. EFFECTS MONITORING: • Forest Health Monitoring: Chemical analysis of all soil and vegetation samples collected in 2011 was Dr. Kevin Percy, Executive Director, left, and Dr. Keith Puckett, ECOFIN, collect lichen at WBEA forest health plot JP104. completed by NRCAN-CFS, Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, BC. Analysis of the understory vegetation and tree growth data was also completed and data Based upon science advice, considerable value-added entry was well-advanced at the end of 2012. An was then gained by using replicate lichen samples, not assessment of insect and disease incidence and analyzed for sulphur/nitrogen in the mapping work, to severity on the trees at each FH stand plot was complete a large source apportionment project conducted completed by AESRD. Changes to the TEEM FH by a multi-disciplinary team of distinguished scientists. Procedures Manual (2011) based on field experience, Source apportionment is a technique used in human and upgrades to incorporate new monitoring health applications to identify contributions of individual programs have been made. Eighteen edge plots were air emission sources such as stacks or transportation, to located and baseline measurements completed. spatially variable atmospheric deposition measured on the landscape. It is usually achieved by receptor modeling that combines emission data from sources with concentrations of the same emitted pollutants actually measured in air, or in this case, in terrestrial systems (lichens) receiving these emissions.
This project was published as peer-reviewed chapters 13-18 in Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the Environment. At the same time, lichen data were used for another purpose, to compare levels of sulphur and nitrogen predicted by regional dispersion models to actual on-the-ground measurements in an ecosystem receptor.
Reporting, whether through internal TEEM reports, the open scientific literature, or the WBEA web site, is important for information sharing. The TEEM program has been enhanced to provide timely, credible data and information so that stakeholders can make informed Personnel at Dr. Doug Maynard’s Natural Resources Canada decisions on air shed management. In that sense, it is laboratory located at the Pacific Forestry Center, Victoria, BC, focused on practical, long-term scientific monitoring that prepare WBEA soil samples for analysis. Co-op students Chris Huang, standing left and Tyler Dyer, standing right and technician has many drivers, beyond the measurement of ecosystem Grace Ross, seated, are pictured. state, for reporting on ecosystem health. Included among the drivers are the AESRD Acid Deposition Management Framework, the AESRD Ozone and PM Management Framework, and regulatory approvals. In 2011, TEEM completed the third cycle of its intensive FH monitoring at WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 81
• Peatland Monitoring: The fourth year of bog monitoring was completed. Monitoring indicators for nitrogen deposition have been validated and reported. • Traditional Environmental Knowledge (TEK): Work continued with the community of Fort McKay to advance the berry monitoring program that integrates traditional and western scientific indicators of berry abundance and quality. Several workshops were held during the year. Five spring and summer visits to local berry-producing areas and Moose Lake were made, and berries were observed and sampled. A subsequent validation report comprising recordings, pictures, and notes taken during the visits was presented to the Group, and confirmation of their desire to sample berries in 2013 for testing Dr. Bernadette Proemse and Dr. Bernhard Mayer, University was received. of Calgary, review data from the WBEA-NSERC study of • Site Maintenance, Security, and Safety: Coordinated stable isotope signatures in soils, needles and solutions from planning for annual site maintenance was completed IER samples. and implemented in 2012. Safety concerns prompted • Ambient Ion Monitoring data on trace an evaluation of the state of passive towers, some concentrations of gases, anions, and cations in dating from 1998. Towers/passives deemed unsafe ambient air are used to verify the accuracy of data were not sampled. Tower safety experts worked with collected by other instruments at WBEA’s monitoring staff to produce a plan for annual maintenance, and stations. The URG 9000 unit was located at AMS 7 for tower replacement in 2013. Safety remains the Athabasca River, in Fort McMurray. number one priority for TEEM. • CoTAG (Conditional Time Averaged Gradient): DEPOSITION MONITORING The CoTAG instrument was deployed at a far-field SE site, JP316, to measure deposition velocities of
• Ambient Air Passive Monitoring: Ozone (O3), compounds, such as nitric acid, sulphur dioxide and
sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric ammonia, in areas with low vegetation cover types in
acid (HNO3) and ammonia (NH3) data were collected order to estimate dry deposition. monthly (bi-monthly in winter for safety reasons) at 23 ecosystem sites and at air monitoring stations • Remote Continuous Ozone Monitoring: Work to for the purposes of data validation. deploy tripod-based continuous ozone analyzers operating on solar power advanced in 2012. The • IER Deposition Monitoring: In 2012, the network stand-alone systems will be installed in 2013 using of IER samplers was expanded. Deposition was helicopter access at three FH sites, to the far East, measured in bulk precipitation and in throughfall SE, and SW of the main source area, to provide (wash-off passing though tree branches) at FH sites hourly average data via satellite uplink to the WBEA in the region. Solar-powered electric fencing is being web site and database. The systems are portable and used to reduce the potential for bear damage to can be moved to other sites in the future. monitoring equipment. A scientific manuscript was in preparation at the end of 2012. RECEPTOR MODELING: • Instrumented Towers: One new instrumented 30 m • “Real-World” Source Characterization: The final tower was installed in 2012, at JP316 to the SE of Fort reports from the stack and heavy hauler emissions McMurray. Upgrades to other towers were made to measurements (2009-2011) were subjected to enhance reliability of continuous meteorological and international, external peer review and added to the site-condition (e.g., light intensity, soil moisture) data WBEA website library. The project to chemically necessary for proper interpretation of air quality and and physically characterize regional sources of ecological monitoring data. Upgrades were made to man-made and natural dust was initiated. Three data transfer technology including satellite uplinks industry sites and many other sites were sampled. at some sites. Two chapters (7 and 8) with results from the 2008- • Stable Isotope Tracers: The final year of the WBEA- 2011 characterization projects were published NSERC partnership project with the University of in Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the Calgary was completed. Stable isotope signatures Environment. Knowledge gained from on-board were identified in soils, needles, and solutions hauler measurements of air pollutants, per each step from IER samples. Three scientific manuscripts in the hauler cycle within mines, has been transferred were published, and a PhD thesis was successfully to WBEA Member operators so that mine fleet defended. A chapter (11) was contributed to Alberta procedures can be further optimized. Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the Environment. 82 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
• Source Apportionment: A multi-disciplinary, source collected within 20 km of the main surface mining and oil apportionment project was completed in 2012 and sand production/upgrading operations had significantly published as Chapter 18 in Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, higher concentrations of both crustal and anthropogenic Industry and the Environment. New methodologies elements. The spatial extent of impact was related to an for multi-element extraction and analysis developed approximately 20 km radius around the major mining and for 42 trace elements in regional lichen samples were oil production facilities, clearly indicative of ground-level reported in Chapter 14. The unique coupling of lead coarse fugitive emissions from these sources. The relative isotopes with trace element concentrations to track impact of the general urban background source was sources of air emissions was reported in Chapter found to be enhanced in proximity to Fort McMurray. The 15. Mercury concentrations and stable isotope receptor models also showed a biogeochemical response composition in the lichens, to differentiate sources, factor that was a combination of lichen/manganese was published in Chapter 16. A pilot study, on PAH response near-field to oil sands production and concentrations in lichens extending out 100 km eco-site factors. from major source types, using a subset of the larger lichen data, was reported in Chapter 17. The percent contributions of sulphur, nitrogen, soil and The pilot study was successful in using lichens to other trace metals to the PMF/Unmix-identified source discriminate between fixed combustion and fugitive factors are presented below. The six-factor model solution sources of PAHs. returned the following source factors: 1. Oil sand and processed material - high loadings The TEEM source apportionment project has been of vanadium (V), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), successful in attributing 94% of concentrations for trace lanthanum (La), caesium (Ce), and samarium (Sm) elements, sulphur and nitrogen measured in lichens on the with La/Ce and V/Ni ratios close to source materials. landscape back to 6 source types. Five receptor models were used, including ones in which source chemical 2. Fugitive dust from tailings sand - elements such as fingerprints analyzed by the science team from samples aluminum (Al), silica (Si), calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), provided by WBEA industry members, were directly La and Sm with large relative occurrence. linked with the lichen chemical fingerprints. Two US 3. Haul road and limestone mixture - elevated levels of EPA models in particular converged to produce almost Ca, magnesium (Mg), strontium (Sr) and Ba. identical outcomes. The results are summarized in the following excerpt from Chapter 18 of Alberta Oil Sands: 4. Combustion source emissions - S, N, potassium (K), Energy, Industry and the Environment. phosphorous (P), and copper (Cu). Oxides of N and S are primarily combustion-related emissions such as from SAGD boilers, upgrader main stacks (N, S), and fleet vehicle (P, Ca, Cu) emissions. 5. Manganese/biochemical - PMF and Unmix attribute 74% and 82% of measured Mn concentrations to this factor. The spatial map of this factor contribution resembles the land surface topography in the AOSR and shows that Mn is depleted in lichens close to the sources. 6. General anthropogenic - Significant loadings of zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) which are typical tracers of general anthropogenic pollution.
The concentrations of S, N and trace elements measured in the AOSR boreal forest lichen were consistent with those reported in the scientific literature, elsewhere in areas of Canada, the United States and other areas in the northern hemisphere. In general, use of forensic receptor modeling Plates from WBEA’s text, Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and tools for apportionment of concentrations measured the Environment, showing maps of model source contribution in lichens across the AOSR has demonstrated that the estimates of manmade and natural pollution sources. largest impact on these concentrations was related to fugitive dust. Landis et al. (2012) reported the spatial patterns of the positive matrix factorization (PMF) and Unmix receptor model-estimated impacts on the lichen tissue 6.3 Frameworks and Reporting concentrations. Oil sands-produced material and fugitive dust sources were significantly correlated to TEEM received a number of reports from its contracted the distance from the surface mining operations and scientists in 2012. These were reviewed internally or related production facilities. Near-field lichen samples externally, depending upon report content and potential WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 83
visibility and can be found on the members website under 6.4 Selected References the Library folder. WBEA contracted scientists’ published 14 peer-reviewed book chapters and two peer-reviewed Angle, R. 2013. Wood Buffalo Environmental Association journal articles in 2012. TEEM Investigators Workshop. Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Internal Report, Fort McMurray. 32 p. available Analysis on some 1,600 mineral soil samples collected at http://wbea.org/library/terrestrial-monitoring. at FH plots in 2011, pictured, was completed in 2012 and these data will be submitted to AESRD in 2013 as per Blum, J.D., Johnson, M.W., Gleason, J.D., Demers, J.D., Landis, WBEA’s reporting requirement under the Acid Deposition M.S., Krupa, S. 2012. Mercury concentration and isotopic Management Framework. Previously, TEEM has supplied composition of epiphytic tree lichens in the Athabasca data from the 1998 and 2004 intensive sampling campaigns. Oil Sands Region, pp. 373-390 In Percy, K.E. (Ed.) Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the Environment. Elsevier Developments in Environmental Science Vol. 11, Oxford, UK. 496 p
Edgerton, E.S., Fort, J.M., Baumann, K., Graney, J.R., Landis, M.S., Berryman, S., Krupa, S. 2012. Method for extraction and multi-element analysis of Hypogymnia physodes samples from the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. pp. 315-342 In Percy, K.E. (Ed.) Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the Environment. Elsevier Developments in Environmental Science Vol. 11, Oxford, UK. 496 p
Graney, J.R., Landis, M.S., Krupa, S. 2012. Coupling lead isotopes and element concentrations in epiphytic lichens to track sources of air emissions in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. pp. 343-372 In Percy, K.E. (Ed.) Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the Environment. Elsevier Developments in Environmental Science Vol. 11, Oxford, UK. 496 p
Landis, M.S., Pancras, J.P., Graney, J.R., Stevens, R.K., Percy, K.E., Krupa, S. 2012. Receptor modeling of epiphytic lichens to elucidate the sources and spatial distribution of inorganic air pollution in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. pp. 427-467 In Percy, K.E. (Ed.) Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the Environment. Elsevier Developments in Environmental Science Vol. 11, Oxford, UK. 496 p
Percy, K.E. (Ed.) 2012. Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, In 2012, WBEA staff developed new TEEM data forms. Industry and the Environment. Elsevier Developments in Data entry was initiated for the 2011, as well as 1998/2004 Environmental Science Vol. 11, Oxford, UK. 496 p. soil and vegetation data. In parallel, staff completed an Proemse, B.C., Mayer, B., Fenn, M.E. 2012. Tracing industrial inventory and archive of all vegetation and soil samples, sulphur contributions to atmospheric sulfate deposition in at the WBEA Field Operations Centre in Fort McMurray, to the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta, Canada. Applied provide long-term security for future analysis. Geochemistry 27, 2425-2434. A TEEM Investigators Workshop was held in Calgary, Proemse, B.C., Mayer, B., Chow, J.C., Watson, J.G. 2012. November 28-29, 2012. The objectives of the Workshop Isotopic characterization of nitrate, ammonium and sulfate were to: 1) provide an update on the projects within the in stack PM emissions in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, TEEM program, emphasizing key results and findings; 2.5 Alberta, Canada. Atmospheric Environment 60, 555-563. and 2) Provide recommendations for the next steps for consideration by the TEEM committee in their strategic Studabaker, W.B., Krupa, S., Jayanty, R.K.M., Raymer, J.H. planning process in early 2013. The Workshop was 2012. Measurement of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons attended by WBEA members and WBEA contracted (PAHs) in lichens for receptor modeling in the Athabasca scientists and science staff. Presentations given focused Oil Sands Region: A pilot study. pp. 391-425 In Percy, on: 1) concepts, design and execution; 2) air quality and K.E. (Ed.) Alberta Oil Sands: Energy, Industry and the deposition to ecosystems; and 3) emissions and transfer. Environment. Elsevier Developments in Environmental Science Vol. 11, Oxford, UK. 496 p The Workshop was facilitated and was a forum for open discussion leading to recommendations on future program work. The report (Angle, 2013) can be found on the Member’s website. 84 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
6.5 Analysis of Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring (TEEM) Forest Health Samples
In the summer of 2011, the Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring (TEEM) program carried out six weeks of intensive soils and vegetation sampling at WBEA’s 25 regional forest health plots. These plots, scattered throughout the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), have been carefully chosen to have similar ecosystems in order to be comparable across the landscape. Some of the plots are close to pollution sources and others are farther away. In general, each plot is a predominantly jack pine ecosystem with a lichen understory. Sampling of these plots, performed by WBEA on a six year cycle, occurred previously in 1998 and in 2004.
The purpose of gathering thousands of soil, lichen and jack pine samples, as well as vegetation composition data, from across the RMWB is to provide a more complete picture of forest health as it relates to air pollution. Once analysed, data gleaned from these raw materials will be complied into a “State of the Forest” report. Comparison with data from previous sample cycles will provide context and information on change, if it exists, in forest deposition and health.
Data and samples collected during WBEA’s 2011 Forest Health Survey are being analyzed at a number of labs in Canada, the US and Finland. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 85
Regional soil and vegetation samples have been sent throughout the world to be analyzed and the results will be reported in 2014. LICHEN ANALYSIS – RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK (RTP), NORTH CAROLINA, USA Lichens are often seen growing in jack pine forests in the RMWB. Scientists have used lichens for many years as bio-monitors; living, naturally occurring organisms that absorb pollution from surrounding air. Lichens not only provide an indication of ecosystem health, they allow us to map the concentration and distribution of pollutants emitted into the air. WBEA has a long history of collecting and analyzing lichens to track heavy metals and other elements emitted in our region. In 2011, the TEEM program once again collected lichens for analysis.
Lichen samples were gathered from 23 regional sites by Dr. Keith Puckett, ECOFIN, one of Canada’s top lichenologists. The lichens were carefully sorted and cleaned. They were 2011 TEEM Forest Health Survey lichen samples being analyzed then sent to three laboratories at Research Triangle Park, by Mike Fort at ARA, Raleigh, NC, USA. North Carolina, USA, a renowned complex of private, academic and institute research agencies. At the labs, state This instrument is capable of detecting metals and several of the art analysis for 43 trace elements and stable isotopes non-metals at very low, parts per trillion, concentrations. of lead and sulphur was performed. Inductively coupled plasma is used to ionize the sample and a mass spectrometer then separates the ions and At the first lab, Atmospheric Research and Analysis (ARA), measures them. This work will provide WBEA with Eric Edgerton and colleagues analyzed the lichens for 43 information on the concentration and distribution of these elements such as aluminum, iron, nickel and vanadium. A elements within the RMWB landscape. It will also allow for process of mechanical and chemical digestion prepared comparisons with other regions where this particular kind the lichen samples, pictured, to be analyzed using an of lichen is found, both throughout Canada and the USA, Axial Field Technology Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass and in remote areas of the northern hemisphere. Spectrometry (ICPMS) instrument. At the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) laboratory, also located in Research Triangle Park, the lichens were analyzed for stable isotopes of various elements. This work allows WBEA to decipher the origin of the pollutants which have accumulated in the lichens. Dr. Joseph Graney, Binghamton University, NY, analyzed the lichens for stable isotopes of lead. Stable isotopes have been used for many years to study movements of elements through living organisms, such as lichens. They often are used, for instance, to map food web dynamics in ecosystems. An ICPMS was also used in this work. The
Dr. Joseph Graney, Binghamton University, NY, USA, analyses WBEA lichen samples prepared for analysis. WBEA samples using an Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometer. 86 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
ICPMS, which is operated in extremely clean laboratory analyzer at Dr. Maynard’s lab, can tell us what nutrients are conditions to avoid contamination of samples, is designed available for plants and trees. to ensure that all samples are analyzed with equal precision. SOIL MICROBIOLOGY – UNIVERSITY OF At Dr. William Studebaker’s lab at Research Triangle BRITISH COLUMBIA, VANCOUVER, BC Institute (RTI) a third type of lichen analysis was Soil is a rich environment for microorganisms such as undertaken. This time the pollutant being investigated bacteria and soil animals. Dr. Sue Grayston, pictured, was Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, or PAH, which is Professor and Canada Research Chair in Soil Microbial associated with combustion from both industrial and Ecology, Department of Forest Sciences, UBC, analyzed natural sources, such as forest fires. The lichens were soils from our region to determine their microbial diversity. ground, mixed with a solvent and then filtered to extract the PAH content. Several more steps were required to prepare the samples for analysis in a Gas Chromatograph (GC)-Mass Spectrophotometer (MS). As the PAH’s were detected by the GC, the MS simultaneously weighed their constituent molecules. The GC-MS at RTI can identify and quantify less than ten billionths of a gram of an individual PAH in lichen tissue. This analysis will also help WBEA establish whether lichens are reliable for determining concentrations of PAH’s in the region.
This analysis can provide an indication of soil health and can be compared with the microbial diversity of soils in other regions. A healthy soil is essential for nutrient turnover and site productivity. VEGETATION COMPOSITION/ TREE MEASUREMENTS – UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB Observing the type and number of plants on the forest Research Triangle Institute, NC, USA. floor can provide valuable data about regional biodiversity related to forest health. Dr. Ellen Macdonald, Professor To obtain credible data that can be peer reviewed by other Renewable Resources, U of A, and a WBEA Science scientists, the analysis of lichens at each of these labs is Advisor, is analyzing the vegetation composition data accomplished with tremendous accuracy, precision and from the 2011 measurement and sampling at WBEA’s jack quality control, according to strict scientific protocols. pine plots. Dr. Macdonald will also provide analysis of the measurements taken for individual jack pine trees, another At Dr. Joel Blum’s laboratory at the University of Michigan, marker of forest health. Ann Arbour, MI, USA, lichen material was analyzed for mercury concentration, as well as seven stable mercury isotopes. By measuring relative proportions of the isotopes, the sources (natural, industrial, local, long-range) of mercury contribution can be determined. SOILS - NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, VICTORIA, BC At Dr. Doug Maynard’s Natural Resources Canada (NRC) laboratory located at the Pacific Forestry Centre in Victoria, BC, thousands of forest soil samples, collected throughout our region, were sent for analysis of nutrients and trace metal concentrations, including soil sulphate, nitrate and ammonium. The soil samples were collected from pits dug at our forest health monitoring sites. As there is a noticeable difference in soil colour and texture at different depths of a soil pit, care was taken to sample Gathering vegetation composition data at WBEA Forest Health from each layer. The analysis of soils by a segmented flow Plot JP 311. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 87
The surface wax chemistry of jack pine needles collected during the survey was analyzed.
TREE NEEDLES –DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF THE FOREST REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AT THE Once all the analysis of lichens, soils, jack pine trees UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI, FINLAND and vegetation communities is complete researchers Jack pine needles are covered by a microscopic waxy layer from Canada, the USA and Finland will forward the final of cells called the cuticle. This waxy coating is interspersed data to WBEA. A “State of the Forest” report will be with pores or stomata. The cuticle regulates the tree’s commissioned for our region. This report will relate and water balance and can be affected by air pollution. Dr. compare the findings of the 2011 TEEM Forest Health Sirkku Manninen and her colleagues at the University of Survey to those completed in 1998 and 2004. In this way Finland preformed chemical analyses of jack pine needle WBEA will be able to identify changes over time related cuticles for WBEA. They removed, weighed and analyzed to factors such as air emissions, climate change, insects the cuticle layer to determine wax composition. All of and disease or other influences. The “State of the Forest” these data and observations will provide WBEA with a report is expected in 2014. better understanding of the health of jack pine trees in our region. Jane Percy, WBEA Communications 88 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Human Exposure Monitoring Program WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 89
7.1 Message from the HEMP Program Manager The WBEA Human Exposure Monitoring Program (HEMP) conducts projects focused on odour detection and chemical characterization. HEMP’s current program, refocused on odours in 2009, was designed to bridge knowledge gaps in regional odour measurement. The projects are integrated to assess and communicate air-related environmental human exposure concerns to stakeholders in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB).
In the Wood Buffalo region, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and reduced sulphur compounds (RSCs) are often associated with odour episodes. HEMP’s first community of focus for odour measurement was Fort McKay, some sixty km. north of Fort McMurray. At this air monitoring station, HEMP operates two specialized odour detection, evaluation and quantification instruments alongside other WBEA air analyzers.
The dual detector Pneumatically Focused Gas Chromatograph (PFGC) provides hourly measurements of VOCs and RSCs. The second analyzer, an Electronic Nose (eNose), uses an array of sixteen sensors that are intended to act like a human nose. The signal from the eNose can be used as an indicator of the possible frequency and intensity of odours, but must be calibrated to human noses.
AMS 1 Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay, located in Fort McKay, houses HEMP’s two specialized odour detection, evaluation and quantification instruments alongside other WBEA air analyzers. 90 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
HEMP operates a Pneumatically Focused Gas Chromatograph at AMS 1 Bertha Ganter- Fort McKay to detect, evaluate and quantify odours.
Discussions among HEMP committee members in 2012 led to the endorsement of a second PFGC to be installed at another air monitoring station. This will allow HEMP to continue to characterize air quality, in relation to odours, over a wider area, in the RMWB.
As the next step in assessing odours in the region, the HEMP committee approved a Community Odour Monitoring Project (COMP). WBEA will work with specialists in the measurement and monitoring of odours, to facilitate this endeavour in 2013. Having community individuals participate in the classification of odours will lead to additional knowledge of odour compounds already being monitored by WBEA. Fort McMurray is to be the The HEMP Committee operates an Electronic Nose at AMS 1 community of focus for this project characterizing odour Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay to measure odour units. influence upon local residents.
The goal for HEMP is to integrate aspects of each project methodology, and the data collected, into a review that will present a message on the state of regional odours. Stakeholders and community individuals can use this data to better understand the kinds and amounts of sulphur compounds and VOCs present in the air. This odour information can also be used by others to report on key ambient air quality concerns.
Abena Twumasi-Smith HEMP Program Manager
Fort McMurray will be the focus of the HEMP Program’s Community Odour Monitoring Project in 2013. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 91
Data Management Program 92 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
In 2012, WBEA’s Data Management System underwent new development and hardware changes. These changes improved reliability of the entire system, and increased the overall data collection capabilities. The changes made to the Data Management System in 2012 are summarized below.
WBEA Members view integrated samplers at AMS 1 Bertha NEW DATA COLLECTION SERVER Ganter-Fort McKay. A new server was purchased and installed in Q9’s Calgary location. The new server was a replacement for a server located in Edmonton. This server was the last piece of the Data Management System that was not being managed / maintained internally by WBEA. By moving this last piece of the Data Management System into WBEA’s collocation facility, the reliability of the Data Management System was significantly increased. The following diagram depicts the original configuration of the data management system:
With this configuration, there are two distinct points of failure (the internet connection into the Edmonton collocation facility). The following diagram depicts the new configuration of the Data Management System: WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 93
With the new configuration, the Data Management System was streamlined, and the extra point of failure was removed.
DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT A new portal was developed for the Data Management System that now allows WBEA to store integrated sampler results. Since 1998, WBEA
has maintained integrated sampling for PM2.5, PM10, VOC and PAH. The sampling for PM monitoring has evolved with better understanding of the technology, analytical laboratory methods and sample deployment and collection methods. The intermittent measurements at WBEA’s network include:
(1) PM2.5 samplers to collect PM2.5 for mass, ionic and metal species analysis
(2) Partisol PM10 samplers to collect PM10 for mass, ionic and metal species analysis (3) VOC (volatile organic compounds) canisters for VOC and RSC (reduced sulphur compounds) analysis (4) A sampling medium consisting of a PUF (poly-urethane foam) plug A Particulate Matter Sampler and a glass fibre filter to collect semi-volatile organic compounds for PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) analysis (5) A wet precipitation sampler for wet precipitation chemistry
(6) Passive samplers for NO2, O3, and SO2 concentrations
(7) An annular denuder sampling system (ADSS) for acid gases (HNO2, and HNO3), and a base gas (NH3).
Previously, the sample results were sent back from the lab and stored in a secure location as Excel files. This made data retrieval and Quality Assurance (QA) a difficult process. With the new software, the data stored in the Excel files was normalized, and stored in a database to make retrieval and processing of the data easier. The intermittent data is currently available for Members to view on WBEA’s website. Once the data undergoes a QA process, it will be made available to the general public.
Eric Nosal Data Management Specialist 94 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Communications WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 95
Guided by the strategic goals of the Association, WBEA Communications delivered on a comprehensive program of activities and projects throughout 2012. WBEA Communications informed and educated stakeholders and the public about the Association’s science-based monitoring programs through local, regional and national stakeholder engagement, comprehensive reporting of data and results, and numerous outreach activities.
• A Communications Advisory Committee was set • WBEA Communications attended both spring and up in 2012 to strategically guide WBEA fall Fort McMurray Tourism Trade Shows. At the Communications activities. spring trade show a WBEA gift basket incentive encouraged WBEA Facebook page followers. • In May 2012, WBEA held a ceremony, pictured on the previous page, to rename AMS 1 as “Bertha Ganter- • Three new WBEA display units were commissioned Fort McKay”, in honour of the late environmental for use at trade show and exhibitions. advocate, Bertha Ganter. Communications • WBEA Communications coordinated the placement coordinated the event, which included a ceremony, of a portable monitoring unit in the community of sign unveiling and station tours at the AMS, as well Conklin in 2012. At the spring Conklin Open House, as a community feast at Bertha‘s former camp. WBEA had an opportunity to discuss the six month • WBEA was a sponsor of the 2012 Wood Buffalo community-based monitoring initiative with Science Fair (WBRSF) and presented four Crystal local residents. Clean Environment Awards to students whose • WBEA launched an Air projects were focused on the environment. WBEA Quality Health Index app foror Communications hosted an Air Quality Health Index iPhone and iPad users, as information booth at the fair. well as a mobile version of the website. The AQHI wass also shared with residents through a daily spot in Fort McMurray Today newspaper, as well as via live hourly streams to message centres at several locations in Fort McMurray (WBEA Thickwood Blvd. Office, airport, YMCA, MacDonald Island, etc). • WBEA hosted Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, and Alberta’s Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Minister, the Honourable Diana McQueen, on July 16th in Fort McMurray, pictured at AMS 1. WBEA Communications coordinated media relations, site logistics, key messages and photography for the event. Other notable visitors in 2012 included the Honourable Bob Rae, Interim Liberal Leader, and several members of the Atlantic Liberal Caucus.
Executive Director, Dr. Kevin Percy, and WBEA President, Ann Dort MacLean, present 2012 WBRSF participant, Catherina Venter, Westwood School, with a WBEA Crystal Clean Award. 96 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
• Six issues of • WBEA Communications produced five new WOOD BUFFALO ENVIRONMENTAL Community ASSOCIATION Report to the SUMMER 2012 WBEA@Work,W our electronic factsheets featuring details of the Association as
8 8 stakeholderst newsletter, well as Ambient Air Quality Monitoring, Terrestrial 9 2 Particulate Matter Survey ...... 10 3 Community AQHI Reporting...... Oil Sands Information Portal...... 11 WBEA Membership ...... 4 WBEA Staff Profile - Zach Eastman...... 12 INSIDE... 2011 AQHI Summary for the RMWB 5 Out and About with WBEA WBEA Supports Regional Science Fair...... 5 Environmental Effects Monitoring, the Human WBEA’s Data Management Program...... werew distributed. Our winter Dr. Allan Legge, WBEA Science Advisor...... 7 WBEA’s Annual General Meeting ...... oup Begins Field Trips...... Berry Focus Gr anter anda summer Community Exposure Monitoring Program and the Data ommunications cy, WBEA C WBEA Honours theJane Per Memory of Berthation, G and an y First Na o her passing ed member of theor Fort five McKa years prior t er was a respect . F ReportsR were mailed Management Program. Bertha Gant orked with ocate for her communityoordinator of Environmental Affairs for the environmental adv as the C ojects. orporation (IRC). In this position she w on May 22, 2004, Berthaelations w C y Industry R sues associated with industrial pr Fort McKa sessment is tot 26,500 addresses onmental Impact As Envir ed to as dedicat • Photography for a Forest Health Survey Vignette es Inc., w , onsulting Servic , traditions, language ed y, BG TEK C e, heritage e impact Bertha’s compan e cultur ommunities that ar ays to preserv ystems and c developing w ed three books: “Some erm sustainability of eco-s onomy of Fort ini the RMWB. long-t elopment. She also co-authorraditional Ec ay Medicinal by industrial dev velopment on the T ort McK here”, and the “F Effects of Oil Sands De here is Still Survival Out T was completed at five laboratories in Canada and ay”, “T McK 3”. eport 200 aditional Plant R alo Environmental ous in sharing her understandingood of Buff Tr Bertha was gener est in the wledge. Her work with the W y years she Environmental Kno vetailed with her lifelong inter eciated during the man Association (WBEA)as do much appr environment, and w ommittees. • As a national outreach the United States where WBEA samples are participated on WBEA c or Lisa Schaldemose said at the time ecutive Direct as to document theo culturaldevelopment and and o rename Former WBEA Ex ely lost t eclaim y, in May, t s passing, “Bertha’s vision w o r ort McKa of Bertha’ y would not be entir er. ays so that the hat was Bertha ommunity of F e Bertha Gant traditional w velopment. T y was held in the c y be helpful in healingect theed bearthy de when it was time t A ceremon tation in honour of the lat maybe someda ve been aff oring s .” WBEA’s air monit traditional lands thate ha all miss her dearly ort initiative, WBEA hosted a being analyzed. . W enaming our F - a true visionary anter by r ort McKay” during a ed the memory of Bertha anterG - F WBEA honour oring Station “Bertha G ated an air quality monitoring ay Air Monit McK y 22, 2012. WBEA hasay oper since 1998. eremony on Ma ort McK c ommunity of F y the wishes of emony. station in the c WBEA was guided b the cer amily in planning ocus booth at the 90th Royal Bertha’s f ort McKay Berry F Members of the F ere also
gram e the ony Pro er Cerem Group - friends of Bertha - w n :00 am g Statio 10 nitorin Air Mo rrive at rved uests A ents Se trumental in planning, as w m G efresh uted ins R b s Distri Program tainability Department am ay Sus 0:15 1 emony ing Cer ort McK enam jambe F R d ra Gran ies yer -Flo remon , Little Seed g Pra r of Ce er penin aste O ipley, M ue - Ken Sh d Plaq eech - Sign an Sp f New ent eiling o Presid ansportation Unv BEA and Janelle Bak h and Lean, W hene - w Tr peec rt Mac Courc ee o ne t D ay Ann s and W ent Stuckles Departm - Dan nability ector o the peech Sustai ive Dir McKay Execut Fort WBEA onsulting. Sakas ercy, nter C P a Kevin ertha G k you - ily of B ansportation t an h rds - Fam Winter Agricultural Fair o osing W ovided tr ts ter - kindly pr rtha Gan ion - . Special gues “Be tat y of S our nitoring Air Mo emon ” BEA er cKay W ort M Prasad, er Sanjay e of the c tha Gant sit s Camp te to Ber Bertha’ amily included Darrell fts t for rs ribu the gi r Drumme , too, nce of Cree y the f loved Kay forma David rth. She ort Mc er mony - hier d., Jim a f F ere uc t er E le o Z d C n Bo vited b oth peop SHU[ er an ely in loved M th the [OL W ray ed by Ev Bertha red wi [OL ÄZO y repar rth sha HSZ irelessl east – P ther Ea [OL HUPT rked t Mo LSHUK She wo nour is KPUN [O es life. his h o UJS\ hat giv . Thus t e air t us gifts tha.” andth precio ne, Ber Martindale, Shell Canaday. L se do tect the . Well to pro deserved greatly Tanner and Alice Rigne , en Shipley oring Station. K eremonies. in Toronto in November. y at the Air Monit ter of C eremon or, was Mas y began with a c e Direct esident, Ann Dort The da ay IRC Executiv er. WBEA Pr wn McClure, and a former Fort McK ve an opening pray ed by Sha s aft ort McKay Elder’ Flora Grandjambe ga w station sign, cr , for the F veiled a ne MacLean un , by Rick Grandjambe . ourchene spoke on behalf of the heresa Grandjambe commemorative plaque ayne C ayer. Centre. Dan Stuckless anday . W ed in Top Left: Darrell Martindale and T WBEA Communications ort McK volv e an opening pr emonies community of F cy, thanked all those in andjambe gav ter of Cer or, Kevin Per ay Sustainability Department Top Right: Flora Gr ecutive Direct ort McK eremony with a WBEA Ex y, including the F esident Ann Dort MacLean and Mas or the da er, Brenda, closed the c Bottom: WBEA Pr planning f . Bertha’s daught y address the gathering. taff . Ken Shiple and WBEA s e to her mother moving tribut 1 used this opportunity PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON
ommunity Summer 2012 Report to the C WBEA to inform a broader audience about our monitoring programs. • The 2011 WBEA Annual Report was published. The 2011 report include new sections that highlighted TEEM’s real world emissions monitoring work, improvements to the WBEA Data Management System and a summary of the 2011 Air Quality Health Index Values for the RMWB. • In 2012, WBEA Communications engaged with the media through several media releases about important WBEA initiatives, projects and updates, as well as through interview and information requests. Dr. Bernadette Proemse, University of Calgary, analyzes WBEA samples for isotopes. • WBEA Communications coordinated a classroom visit to the Grade 5 and 8 science classes at Fort • Signage for the Field Operations Centre and wraps McMurray Islamic School. The school visits also for two Air Monitoring Stations were designed. included tours of the Mobile Monitoring Unit. • A media training session was held for Governance • WBEA Communications, along with WBEA staff, Committee members. participated in joint WBEA - Fort McKay Berry Focus • New letterhead, fax template and media kit/ Group outreach activities including meetings, field information folders were designed to compliment trips and an extended trip to Moose Lake. WBEA’s corporate identity. • WBEA’s website was consistently updated with Association minutes, documents and reports throughout 2012. • WBEA Communications presented our work and future initiatives to the Governance Committee and the General Membership throughout the year.
With the support of the Communications Advisory Committee, the Governance Committee and the General Membership, and in collaboration with WBEA staff and contractors, WBEA Communications will continue to educate and inform stakeholders and the public about the environmental monitoring work being done by the Association throughout 2013.
Jane Percy and Melissa Pennell WBEA Communications Consultants
James Grandjambe is a member of the joint WBEA - Fort McKay Berry Focus Group. WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 97
Appendices 98 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Appendix I – WBEA Governance Appendix II – Committee Members ABORIGINAL MEMBERS Ann Dort-MacLean, President Fort McKay First Nation Fort McMurray Environmental Association Fort McKay Métis (January - June) Diane Phillips, President ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERS Syncrude Canada Ltd. (June - December) Fort McMurray Environmental Association Kevin Scoble, Vice President Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (January - June) GOVERNMENT MEMBERS Nick Veriotes, Vice President Total E&P Canada Ltd. (June - December) Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Doug Johnson, Secretary - Treasurer Suncor Energy Inc. (January - March) Alberta Health Services Marc Huot, Secretary - Treasurer Alberta Health and Wellness Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development Energy Resources Conservation Board (June - September) Environment Canada Peter Fortna, Secretary - Treasurer Health Canada Fort McKay Métis (December) Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Michael Aiton, Director Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Saskatchewan Environment Development (January - December) Lance Miller, Director INDUSTRY MEMBERS Devon Canada Corp. (January - December) Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. Angel Pohl, Director Cenovus Energy Inc. Suncor Energy Inc. (June - December) Conoco Phillips Canada Diane Phillips, Director Devon Canada Corp. Syncrude Canada Ltd. (January - June) Finning Canada Ltd. Daniel Stuckless, Director Fort McKay First Nation (January - December) Hammerstone Corp. Husky Energy Inc. Imperial Oil Ltd. MEG Energy Nexen Inc. Shell Canada Ltd. Statoil Canada Ltd. Suncor Energy Inc. Sunshine Oilsands Ltd. Syncrude Canada Ltd. Total E&P Canada Ltd. Williams Energy WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012 99
Appendix III – Glossary of Terms ABBREVIATIONS BTEX – Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene are volatile aromatic compounds. When found in sufficient quantities they can affect human health. Benzene is a known carcinogen.
CASA - Clean Air Strategic Alliance is a multi-stakeholder society sponsored by the Alberta Health and Wellness, Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. CASA provides a forum to discuss and address issues related to air monitoring and quality in the province of Alberta. (http://www.casahome.org/)
Chlorosis -Yellowing of leaf tissue due to a lack of chlorophyll.
CH4 - Methane is a colourless, odourless gas, which is the most common hydrocarbon in the earth’s atmosphere. It is of significance as a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. About 20% of the total greenhouse effect is attributable to methane.
NH3 - Ammonia is a naturally occurring, colourless acrid-smelling gas. It is volatile and highly water-soluble. On a global scale, more than 99% of the ammonia present in the atmosphere is the result of natural processes, mainly biological degradation of organic matter, such as plants and animals, and chemical and microbial degradation of animal wastes, in particular urine. The major sources for atmospheric emissions of ammonia in Alberta are agricultural activities (animal feedlot operations and other activities), followed by biomass burning (including forest fires), fertilizer plants, and to a lesser extent fossil fuel combustion, and accidental releases.
Gaseous ammonia is a very important basic compound in the atmosphere. It reacts readily with acidic substances or
sulphur dioxide to form ammonium salts that occur predominantly in the fine particle () PM2.5 μm) fraction. A small amount of gaseous ammonia is converted to nitric oxide.
NOx - Oxides of nitrogen are formed when nitrogen combines with oxygen during the combustion of fossil fuels. Other sources are the natural degradation of vegetation and the use of chemical fertilizers. Oxides of nitrogen affect visibility and lead to ozone formation. For monitoring purposes nitrogen oxides are considered the sum of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide.
NO - Nitric oxide is the major oxide of nitrogen produced by combustion. It is rapidly oxidized to nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere.
NO2 - Nitrogen dioxide is the most abundant of the oxides of nitrogen in the atmosphere. It is a reddish-brown gas. The Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (April 2011) for a 1-hour average concentration of 159 ppb, and an annual average concentration of 24 ppb, are based on the prevention of human effects.
O3 - Ozone at ground level is formed by the chemical reaction of hydrocarbons and NOX in the presence of sunlight. At high concentrations, it may contribute to vegetation damage and cause respiratory problems. The Alberta objective for ozone is 82 ppb for a 1-hour average. In the stratosphere, ozone protects the earth from excessive ultraviolet radiation.
pH - The measurement of the degree of acidity on a scale of 1 to 14. One is very acidic, 7 is neutral and 14 is very alkaline. The natural pH of precipitation in the absence of pollution is 5.6.
PM2.5 - Particles less than or equal to 2.5 micrometres ( μm) in diameter, small enough to be inhaled and may reach the lungs. Concentrations greater than 30 μg/m3 are thought to adversely affect pulmonary function.
PM10 - Particles less than 10 micrometres ( μm) in diameter, small enough to be inhaled but do not reach the lungs.
SO2 - Sulphur dioxide is formed during the processing and combustion of fossil fuels containing sulphur. It is a colourless gas with a pungent odour, and can be detected by taste and odour at concentrations as low as 300 ppb. Once emitted,
SO2 is oxidized in the plume, or, after dilution with the surrounding air to form H2SO4 (acid rain) and sulphates. TRS - Total reduced sulphur compounds are composed mainly of hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptans, dimethyl sulphide, and dimethyl disulphide. TRS is increasingly referred to as reduced sulphur compounds, RSC.
VOCs - Volatile organic compounds can be emitted naturally or as by-products of industrial processes. Examples are terpenes produced by forests, ethylene from industrial and natural sources, and chloroform from industry. 100 WBEA ANNUAL REPORT 2012
UNITS OF MEASURE ppb - parts per billion by volume
ppm - parts per million by volume
μg/m3 - micrograms per cubic metre
keq ha-1 yr-1 - kilo equivalents per hectare per year
kg ha-1 yr-1 - kilograms per hectare per year
DEFINITION OF TERMS Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQO) - Concentration values adopted by the Province of Alberta with the
intention to protect Alberta’s air quality. AAAQO’s for SO2, NO2, O3 and other pollutants are based on an evaluation of scientific, social, technical and economic factors. AAAQO’s may be set for 1 hour, 24 hours, 30 days, or 1-year average concentrations.
Ambient Air Quality - The concentration of pollutants in the ambient air. Generally, the concentrations of gases or particles to which the general population would be exposed, as opposed to the concentration of pollutants emitted by a specific source.
Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) - The Air Quality Health Index, developed by Environment Canada and Health Canada, relates ambient air quality to potential short-term health and provides guidance to people on activity levels based on AQHI levels. The AQHI reports air quality in terms of Low, Moderate, High and Very High Health Risks. It should be noted that the AQHI does not cover all the potential air quality contaminants that can impact health but it addresses three very important ones, i.e. ozone, nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter.
Average Annual Concentration - The sum of the 1-hour average concentration measurements for the year divided by the number of hours that valid measurements were made within that year. It can be compared against the recommended guideline for the same period to assess absolute air quality or against other year’s data to assess improvement or degradation of air quality in the same air.
Critical Load - A measure of how much pollution an ecosystem can tolerate; in other words, the threshold above which the pollutant load harms the environment. Different regions have different critical loads. Ecosystems that can tolerate acidic pollution have high critical loads, while sensitive ecosystems have low critical loads.
Target Load - The maximum level of acidic atmospheric deposition that affords long-term protection from adverse ecological consequences and that is practically and politically achievable.
Volume-weighted pH - The average pH of precipitation throughout the year when the volume of rainfall and the H+ concentration of each precipitation sample is considered.
For more information on the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association please contact:
Wood Buffalo Environmental Association #100-330 Thickwood Blvd., Fort McMurray, AB T9K 1Y1 Phone: (780) 799-4420 Fax: (780) 715-2016 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.wbea.org
For more information on the Clean Air Strategic Alliance please contact:
Clean Air Strategic Alliance 10th floor, 10035 – 108 St., Edmonton, AB T5J 3E1 Phone: (780) 427-9793 Fax: (780) 422-3127 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.casahome.org