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  • Monitoring Stations
    • Bertha Ganter Fort McKay (AMS 1)
    • Mildred Lake (AMS 2)
    • L.C. Met Tower (AMS 3)
    • Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4)
    • Mannix (AMS 5)
    • Patricia McInnes (AMS 6)
    • Athabasca Valley (AMS 7)
    • Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8)
    • Barge Landing (AMS 9)
    • Albian Mine Site (AMS 10)
    • Lower Camp (AMS 11)
    • Millennium (AMS 12)
    • Fort McKay South (AMS 13)
    • Anzac (AMS 14)
    • CNRL Horizon (AMS 15)
    • Shell Muskeg River (AMS 16)
    • Wapasu (AMS 17)
    • Conklin (AMS 18)
    • Portable Air Monitoring Station (PAMS)
    • Mobile Air Monitoring Station (MAMS) Gregoire Lake Estates
  • Data Management & Processing
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• Bertha Ganter – Fort McKay (AMS 1)
• Mildred Lake (AMS 2)
• Lower Camp Met Tower (AMS 3)
• Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4)
• Mannix (AMS 5)
• Patricia McInnes (AMS 6)
• Athabasca Valley (AMS 7)
• Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8)
• Barge Landing (AMS 9)
• Lower Camp (AMS 11)
• Millennium (AMS 12)
• Fort McKay South(AMS 13)
• Anzac (AMS 14)
• CNRL Horizon (AMS 15)
• Shell Muskeg River (AMS 16)
• Wapasu (AMS 17)
• Conklin (AMS 18)
• Mobile Air Monitoring Station
• Portable Air Monitoring Station

The Buffalo Viewpoint station is located at the south end of Syncrude's South Mine and was originally part of Syncrude's air monitoring network. There are no telephone lines available in the South mine, so two pairs of radio's transmit data from station 4 to station 2.

The Buffalo Viewpoint station contains analyzers that continuously measure SO₂, H₂S, THC, wind speed and direction, and temperature.

Our H₂S analyzers are based on a scientific measurement principle (fluorescence after thermal oxidation) specified by AENV in the Air Monitoring Directive (AMD). The H₂S analyzers also oxidize other sulphur compounds that are fluoresced and read as H₂S. The analyzer can, therefore, over report actual H₂S concentrations.

Within the WBEA network, H₂S is measured at some stations and Total Reduced Sulphur (TRS) is measured at other stations. TRS analyzers use the same measurement principle (fluorescence after thermal oxidation) as H₂S analyzers, but operate at a different oxidizing temperature. The choice of analyzer for each station is mandated by AENV Reporting Requirements in the Approvals to Operate a Facility and by the AMD.

The Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objective (AAAQO) for H₂S is based on odour perception.

Current Data

Historical Monitoring Data

PLEASE NOTE: When ambient concentrations of any pollutant WBEA measures exceeds the Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objective, WBEA has an immediate Reporting Protocol that is put into action. WBEA analyzers continuously monitor ambient air, and in the event of an exceedence the following steps are taken:

1 - The data collection system automatically sends out alarm notifications to WBEA personnel and an independent third party alarm monitoring company. 

2 - The alarm company acknowledges the incoming alarm and reports the data and supporting information such as wind conditions, locations, time, etc, to Alberta Environment in real time, or as soon as becoming aware of it.

3 - As the provincial regulator, Alberta Environment uses the data and information from WBEA to follow up as appropriate.