Investigating Air Quality Impacts of Cruise Ship and Ferry Emissions in James Bay, Victoria, BC, Canada
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Investigating Air Quality Impacts of Cruise Ship and Ferry Emissions in James Bay, Victoria, BC, Canada by Karla Marjorie Lina Poplawski BSc, University of Victoria, 2006 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in the Department of Geography Karla Poplawski, 2009 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ii Supervisory Committee Investigating Air Quality Impacts of Cruise Ship and Ferry Emissions in James Bay, Victoria, BC, Canada by Karla Marjorie Lina Poplawski BSc, University of Victoria, 2006 Supervisory Committee Dr. Peter Keller, (Department of Geography) Supervisor Dr. Maycira Costa, (Department of Geography) Departmental Member Dr. Andrew Kmetic, (Faculty of Human and Social Development) Outside Member iii Abstract Supervisory Committee Dr. Peter Keller (Department of Geography) Supervisor Dr. Maycira Costa (Department of Geography) Departmental Member Dr. Andrew Kmetic (Faculty of Human and Social Development) Outside Member The purpose of this thesis is to investigate air quality in the James Bay neighbourhood of Victoria, BC, Canada, and determine the effects of emissions from cruise ships and ferries on local air quality. A combination of field monitoring and air quality modeling conducted during the 2007 cruise ship season in Victoria is used to achieve this objective. Pollutants examined include nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), sulphur dioxide (SO 2) and particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10 ). Field monitoring provides long-term average concentration levels throughout the area, while the California Puff Model (CALPUFF) is used to predict concentrations from ferry and cruise ship sources at shorter time periods (1-hour and 24-hour). The two methodologies used for this research quantify air quality in James Bay and establish a baseline of concentration levels which can be referred to during any future air quality studies in the area. Results show possible, yet infrequent, exceedences of Capital Regional District and World Health Organization 1-hour NO 2 and 24-hour SO 2 air quality guidelines in the study domain. The potential implications of these exceedences on health of residents will be assessed by the Vancouver Island Health Authority. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Committee ...................................................................................................... ii Abstract..............................................................................................................................iii Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………iv List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures.................................................................................................................... xi Acknowledgements.......................................................................................................... xiv List of Acronyms .............................................................................................................. xv Disclaimer ................................................................................................................. xvi Chapter 1 - Introduction .................................................................................... 1 1.1 James Bay Air Quality Study (JBAQS).............................................................. 3 1.2 James Bay, Victoria, BC, Canada....................................................................... 4 1.3 Ogden Point Cruise Ship Terminal..................................................................... 5 1.4 Marine Emissions................................................................................................ 9 1.5 Pollutants of Interest ......................................................................................... 18 1.5.1 Sulphur Dioxide (SO 2) ........................................................................ 18 1.5.2 Nitrogen Oxides (NO x) ....................................................................... 19 1.5.3 Primary Particulate Matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) ..................................... 20 1.5.4 Summary of Emission Sources in James Bay..................................... 21 1.6 Estimating Air Pollution Exposure................................................................... 22 1.7 Air Quality Guidelines, Standards and Objectives ........................................... 28 1.8 James Bay – is an air quality study warranted?................................................ 30 1.8.1 Dominant Wind Speed and Wind Direction ....................................... 30 1.8.2 CRD Regulatory Air Quality Monitoring Network ............................ 31 1.8.3 Nitric Oxide (NO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2)................................. 34 1.8.4 Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) ................................................................... 37 1.8.4 Sulphur Dioxide (SO 2) ........................................................................ 38 1.8.5 Conclusions of Topaz Emissions Analysis ......................................... 40 1.9 Main Goals and Research Questions ................................................................ 40 Chapter 2 - Overview of the Research Process .................................. 43 v Chapter 3 - Air Quality Monitoring ......................................................... 52 3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................ 52 3.2 Methods.................................................................................................................. 53 3.2.1 Regulatory Monitoring Network Data.................................................... 54 3.2.2 Passive Diffusion Samplers .................................................................... 55 3.2.3 Nephelometers and Partisol Monitors..................................................... 56 3.2.4 Field Monitoring Summary .................................................................... 59 3.3 Results.................................................................................................................... 60 3.3.1 CRD Regulatory Network – Topaz Station ............................................ 60 3.3.2 Passive Sampling: NO, NO 2, SO 2........................................................... 66 3.3.3 Particulate Matter: Mass and Composition............................................. 76 3.3.4 Summary of Results................................................................................ 85 3.4 Discussion.............................................................................................................. 87 3.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 93 Chapter 4 - Air Quality Modeling .............................................................. 95 4.1 Introduction............................................................................................................ 95 4.2 Methodology.......................................................................................................... 96 4.2.1 CALPUFF Modeling System.................................................................. 96 4.2.2 Model Configuration............................................................................. 101 4.2.3 Cruise Ship Emissions .......................................................................... 104 4.2.4 Ferry Emissions (M.V. Coho & Victoria Clipper) ............................... 108 4.2.5 Line and Point Source Configuration ................................................... 109 4.2.6 Meteorological and Emissions Data Validation ................................... 110 4.2.7 Discrete Receptors ................................................................................ 114 4.2.8 Background Concentration Levels........................................................ 115 4.3 Results.................................................................................................................. 117 4.3.1 Uncertainty Related to Model Results.................................................. 117 4.3.2 Maximum Model Predictions ............................................................... 119 4.3.3 Maximum 24-hour SO 2......................................................................... 120 4.3.4 Maximum 1-hour NO 2 .......................................................................... 125 4.3.5 Meteorological Conditions during of Maximum Concentrations......... 129 4.3.6 Model Performance Evaluation ............................................................ 131 4.4 Discussion............................................................................................................ 134 4.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 138 vi Chapter 5 - Final Discussion and Conclusions ................................. 140 References ................................................................................................................ 149 Appendix A - Ogawa Passive Diffusions Samplers: Technical Details ................ 163 Appendix B - Nephelometer Monitoring Dates and Durations ............................. 174 Appendix C - Partisol Monitoring and Metals Analysis........................................