The Ambient Air Monitoring (AAM) program activities and Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring (TEEM) program activities – including Deposition, Forest Health, and Meteorological Monitoring – function to address multiple objectives, scientific questions, and requirements as identified below:
Global
The WHO Air Quality Guidelines offer guidance on threshold limits for key air pollutants that pose health risk and provide a reference for setting air pollution targets at regional and national levels to improve air quality.
| Parameter | Averaging Period | Objective or Guideline Value (2021) | |
| (μg/m3) | ppb | ||
| Particulate Matter (PM2.5) | 24-hour 99th percentile | 15 | N/A |
| Annual | 5 | N/A | |
| Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) | Annual | 10 | 5.2 |
| 24-hour 99th percentile | 25 | 13.1 | |
| Ozone (O3) | 8-hour daily maximum | 100 | 50 |
| Peak season | 60 | 30 | |
| Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) | 24-hour 99th percentile | 40 | 15 |
The AAM and TEEM programs’ meteorological network meets or exceeds the World
Meteorological Organization’s standards, considered to be the highest quality meteorological monitoring criteria and best management practice. Since the meteorological network data is essential for dispersion modelling, it is imperative the meteorological network operates according to the highest quality standards.
National
The Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) are national air quality standards that are designed to protect human health and the environment. The federal government established CAAQS as non-binding ambient air quality objectives under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The CAAQS inform the development of management plans and appropriate management actions required to improve air quality. The CAAQS are mainly based on three years of data and therefore, they target long-term air quality issues and not short-term air quality episodes.
The CAAQS are targeted to assess air quality issues that can be controlled locally through management actions (such as emissions reductions). Therefore, when determining whether an air zone exceeds the CAAQS, events that are outside of the control of the jurisdiction are not included in the calculations. The methodology used to calculate the CAAQS metrics is explained in detail in the Guidance Documents on Achievement Determination for the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) developed CAAQS for PM2.5, O3, SO2, and NO2. CAAQS consist of three parts: averaging time period, numerical value, and statistical form of the numerical standard, as outlined in the table below. There are four air quality management levels associated with CAAQS. The management levels are determined by the pollutant amount in a specific air zones. These management levels are used to recommend air quality management actions. For more information about CAAQS and the management levels, visit the CCME website.
| Pollutant | Average Time | Numerical Value 2015 | Numerical Value 2020 | Numerical Value 2025 | Statistical Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) | 24-hour | 28μg/m3 | 27μg/m3 | The 3-year average of the annual 98th percentile of the daily 24-hour average concentrations | |
| Annual | 10.0μg/m3 | 8.8μg/m3 | The 3-year average of the annual 98th percentile of the daily 24-hour average concentrations | ||
| Ozone (O3) | 8-hour | 63 ppb | 62 ppb | 60 ppb | The 3-year average of the annual 4th highest of the daily maximum 8-hour average ozone concentrations |
| Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) | 1-hour | – | 70 ppb | 65 ppb | The 3-year average of the annual 99th percentile of the SO2 daily maximum 1-hour average concentrations |
| Annual | – | 5.0 ppb | 4.0 ppb | The average over a single calendar year of all 1-hour average SO2 concentrations | |
| Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) | 1-hour | – | 60 ppb | 42 ppb | The 3-year average of the annual 98th percentile of the daily maximum 1-hour average concentrations |
| Annual | – | 17.0 ppb | 12.0 ppb | The average over a single calendar year of all 1-hour average concentrations |
Provincial
Alberta’s Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy provides the foundation for any comprehensive air quality monitoring program and describes how air-related deposition monitoring is a key component of the comprehensive provincial ambient air quality management plan. The AAM and TEEM program activities are aligned with the vision, principles, goals, and objectives of Alberta’s strategy.
TEEM program activities address the 2019-2024 Alberta’s Science Strategy “Priority Area of Environmental Monitoring for Chemical Contaminants and Biological Stressors in the Environment” by producing timely, credible monitoring and reporting of chemical contaminants and/or biological stressors of concern entering the environment in order to assess whether, through exposure, there are potential or observed impacts on human and/or ecosystem health.
Alberta Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (AAAQG) were developed by the province for airshed planning and management, and as a general performance indicator. The table below shows the guidelines for 1-hour averaging periods for the parameters which have established AAAQGs within the WBEA monitoring network.
| Parameter | 30-Minute Average | 1Hour Average | 30-Day Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) |
80 μg/m3 |
||
| Total Reduced Sulphur (TRS) | 5 ppb |
| Parameter | 1-hour Average | 30-Day Average |
|---|---|---|
| Dustfall | 53 mg 100cm -2 In residential and recreational areas | |
| 158 mg 100cm -2 In commercial and industrial areas |
Alberta’s Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQO) define the desired environmental quality that will protect public health and ecosystems. Alberta Environment establishes AAAQOs under section 14(1) of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA). AAAQOs are generally established for 1-hour, 24-hour, 30-day, and annual averaging periods, depending on the characteristics of the pollutant.
The table below shows the objectives for 1-hour, 24-hour, 30-day, and annual averaging periods for the parameters which have established AAAQOs within the WBEA monitoring network. Where there is a dash (-) in the table below AAAQOs do not currently exist.
| Parameter | 1-Hour Average | 8-Hour Average | 24-Hour Average | 30-Day Average | Annual Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) |
172 ppb | – | 48 ppb | 11 ppb | 8 ppb |
|
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) |
159 ppb | – | – | – | 8 ppb |
|
Ozone (O3) |
76 ppb | – | – | – | – |
|
Total Reduced Sulphurs (TRS) / Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)* |
10 ppb | – | 3 ppb | – | – |
|
Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) |
– | – |
29 μg/m3 |
– | – |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) | 13 ppb | 5 ppb | – | – | – |
|
Ammonia (NH3) |
2 ppb | – | – | – | – |
| Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) | – | – |
100 μg/m3 |
– | – |
|
*In the WBEA network TRS concentrations are reported using the H2S AAAQOs. |
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Data collected through the AAM network and long-term Forest Health Monitoring program are used in the calculation of Potential Acid Input (PAI) which is evaluated against critical loads as defined in both the regional and provincial Acid Deposition Management Framework, wherein both are designed to evaluate deposition levels and effects to inform mitigation actions and management change.
The EPEA operating approvals for some oil sand facilities require the approval holder to monitor ambient air quality; the AAM program activities fulfill this requirement for WBEA members. Some EPEA approvals require a deposition monitoring plan for wet and dry deposition; the TEEM program could fulfill this requirement on a regional scale.
Regional
When ambient concentrations of any air pollutant the WBEA measures exceed the AAAQOs and AAAQGs, the WBEA has an immediate Reporting Protocol that is put into action. WBEA analyzers continuously monitor ambient air, and in the event of an exceedance, the following steps are taken:
- The data collection system automatically sends out alarm notifications to WBEA personnel and an independent third-party alarm monitoring company.
- If an AAAQO is exceeded, the alarm company acknowledges the incoming alarm and reports the data and supporting information such as wind conditions, locations, time, etc. to Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) in real time, or as soon as becoming aware of it. AEP uses the data and information from the WBEA to follow up appropriately.
- If an AAAQG is exceeded, the WBEA reports the data and supporting information such as wind conditions, locations, time, etc. to AEP during business hours. AEP uses the data and information from the WBEA to follow up appropriately.
- If the exceedance occurs at an industry station, the owner is informed that they have exceeded an AAAQO or AAAQG, and they are provided with the same information that was given to AEP. They follow up with AEP and/or the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), as required.
Fort McKay Response Triggers (FMKRT)
Fort McKay Response Triggers (FMKRT) were developed collaboratively between the community of Fort McKay, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, the Alberta Energy Regulator, and Alberta Health. They were selected to reflect the needs of Fort McKay to have an immediate notification process in place to have an early opportunity to evaluate, confirm and advise both individuals and community on what health protective steps to undertake should an acute air quality emergency event occur.
The table below shows the various trigger levels and averaging periods. A description for each trigger level, from 1 to 4, are listed below. The averaging periods (10-minute, 15-minute, and 1-hour) were chosen to have an early and strong emergency response to air quality events.
- Trigger 1 = initial trigger level that starts a tracking process of a potential acute air quality event.
- Trigger 2 = community notification to advise the community of a potential air quality issue or that an event is occurring.
- Trigger 3 = community notification that involves clear instructions/recommendations on the precautionary actions that should be taken and what actions will be taken if levels increase.
- Trigger 4 = direct intervention of the community’s emergency response team with assistance/guidance from health authorities and the AER.
|
Parameter H2S |
10 min Average | 15 min Average | 1-hour Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trigger 1 | – | >25 ppb** | >10 ppb |
| Trigger 2 | >50 ppb* | – | – |
| Trigger 3 | >150 ppb* | – | – |
| Trigger 4 | >1000 ppb* | – | – |
|
Parameter SO2 |
10 min Average | 15 min Average | 1-hour Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trigger 1 | >75 ppb* | – | – |
| Trigger 2 | >150 ppb* | – | >172 ppb |
| Trigger 3 | >250 ppb* | – | – |
| Trigger 4 | >750 ppb* | – | – |
|
* for two consecutive 5 min average intervals ** for three consecutive 5 min average intervals |
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Fort McKay’s Ambient Air Quality Permissible Levels
| Substance |
Averaging Period |
Permissible Level* | Basis | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) |
1 hour | 1301,2 (50 ppb) |
Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) for SO2 (2017) |
The level is based on a 50 ppb concentration which is the concentration level separating the “yellow” and “orange” management levels. The permissible level is not to be exceeded on more than 3 days per year. |
| 24 hour | 203 (7.6 ppb) | WHO (2005) | Not to be exceeded more than 6 times per year. | |
| Annual | 6.51 (2.5 ppb) |
The Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) for SO2 (2017) |
The level is a based on 2.5 ppb which is the middle of the “yellow” management levels. The permissible level is a never to be exceeded level and is well below annual SO2 levels measured in Fort McKay since 1998. | |
|
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) |
1 hour | 584,5 (31 ppb) |
Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) for NO2 (2017) |
The level is based on a 31 ppb concentration which is the concentration level separating the “yellow” and “orange” management levels. The permissible level is not to be exceeded on more than 3 days per year. |
| Annual | 134,5 (7 ppb) |
The Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) for NO2 (2017) |
The level is a based on 7 ppb which is the concentration level separating the “yellow” and “orange” management levels. The permissible level is a never to be exceeded level. | |
| Ozone (O3) |
8 hr daily maximum mean (May – September period) |
1106 (56 ppb) |
Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) for Ozone |
The level is based on 56 ppb which is the proposed concentration level separating the “yellow” and “orange” management levels. The permissible level should not be exceeded on more than 3 days per year excluding influences from forest fires |
|
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) |
24 hr | 197 (N/A) |
Canada Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) for PM2.5 |
The level is based on 19 µg/m3 which is the concentration level separating the “yellow” and “orange” management levels and is a level that should not be exceeded on more than 7 days per year excluding influences from forest fires |
| Annual | 6.47 (N/A) |
Canada Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 |
The level is based on the concentration level separating the “yellow” and “orange” management levels which is 6.4 µg/m3. The permissible level is a never to be exceeded level excluding periods when there are forest fire influences | |
|
Particulate Matter (PM10) |
99th% 24 hr | 333 (N/A) | WHO (2005) | The level is two-thirds of the Guideline value which reflects the approach used in setting CAAQS management levels. A never to be exceeded level excluding influences from forest fires. |
| Annual | 133 (N/A) | WHO (2005) | The level is two-thirds of the Guideline value which reflects the approach used in setting CAAQS management levels. A never to be exceeded level excluding influences from forest fires. | |
|
Carbon Monoxide (CO) |
1 hour | 15,0002 (13,000) | AAAQO (2013) | A never to be exceeded level. |
| 8 hour | 6,0006 (5,000) | AAAQO (2013) | A never to be exceeded level. | |
| Benzene | 1 hour | 306 (9.0) | AAAQO (2013) | A never to be exceeded level. |
| Annual | 36 (0.9) | AAAQO (2013) | A never to be exceeded level. | |
|
Total Reduced Sulphur (TRS) and Odour Events |
1hour | 1 ppb8 |
Fort McKay’s Experience with Odours and TRS Levels |
Level is based on experience in Fort McKay that odours are generally present when TRS levels are above 1 ppb and are often present at lower TRS levels. |
|
*(µg/m3 at 25°C and 101.325 kPa unless noted) (ppb values in brackets) |
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The Moose Lake Ambient Air Quality Targets
| Parameter | Metric/averaging period | Ambient Air Quality Target |
|---|---|---|
| SO2 | Hourly CAAQS SO2 metric is the three-year average of the annual 99th percentile of the SO2 daily maximum one-hour average concentrations | ≤ 50 ppb ≤ 131 μg/m3 |
| Annual CAAQS SO2 metric is the arithmetic average over a single calendar year of all one-hour average concentrations | ≤ 3 ppb ≤ 7.9 μg/m3 | |
| NO2 | Hourly CAAQS NO2 metric is the three-year average of the annual 98th percentile of the NO2 daily maximum one-hour average concentrations | ≤ 31 ppb ≤ 58.3 μg/m3 |
| Annual CAAQS NO2 metric is the arithmetic average over a single calendar year of all one-hour average concentrations. | ≤ 7 ppb ≤ 13.2 μg/m3 | |
| PM2.5 | Daily CAAQS PM2.5 metric is the three-year average of the annual 98th percentile of the PM2.5 daily 24-hour average concentrations. | ≤ 19 μg/m3 |
| Annual CAAQS PM2.5 metric is the three-year average of the annual average concentrations. | ≤ 6.4 μg/m3 | |
| O3 | Eight-hour CAAQS O3 metric is the three-year average of the annual fourth highest daily maximum eight-hour average concentrations. | ≤ 56 ppb ≤ 110 μg/m3 |
| H2S | There are no CAAQS for H2S. H2S is consistent with the Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAQOs). This target should mitigate substantial odour complaints from the public and health effects. | < 10ppb (hourly) < 3 ppb (24-hour) |
| TRS | There are no CAAQS TRS. TRS is consistent with the Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (AAQGs). This target should mitigate substantial odour complaints from the public. | < 5 ppb (30-minute) |
The Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP) came into effect in September 2012 and was the first regional plan developed under the Alberta Land-Use Framework.
The LARP air quality objective is to manage releases from multiple sources so they do not collectively result in unacceptable air quality. The LARP sets out trigger levels and limits for NO2 and SO2 as described in the tables below. When a trigger is exceeded, AEP is required to create a regional management response. The WBEA provides AEP with the air quality data that is used to calculate the annual LARP triggers and limits.
| Description | Management Intent |
|---|---|
|
Level 4 Ambient air quality exceeding air quality limits |
Improve ambient air quality to below limits |
|
Limit |
|
|
Level 3 Ambient air quality below air quality limits |
Proactively maintain air quality below limits |
| Limit | |
|
Level 2 Ambient air quality below air quality limits |
Improve knowledge and understanding, and plan |
| Limit | |
|
Level 1 Ambient air quality well below air quality limits |
Apply standard regulatory and non-regulatory approaches |
| Limit | |
|
Note: The ambient air quality values based on the 99th percentile of hourly data are all established as triggers in the management framework. |
|
|
NO2 |
|
| Annual Average | ppb |
| Limit* | 24 |
| Level 3 Trigger | 16 |
| Level 2 Trigger | 8 |
| Below Trigger | |
| Annual 99th Percentile | ppb |
| Limit* | 92 |
| Level 3 Trigger | 62 |
| Level 2 Trigger | 30 |
| Below Trigger |
|
SO2 |
|
| Annual Average | ppb |
| Limit* | 8 |
| Level 3 Trigger | 5 |
| Level 2 Trigger | 3 |
| Below Trigger | |
| Annual 99th Percentile | ppb |
| Limit* | 36 |
| Level 3 Trigger | 24 |
| Level 2 Trigger | 12 |
| Below Trigger |
Through the 2018 Oil Sands Monitoring (OSM) Program Operational Framework Agreement, the OSM Program outlines the vision, principles, objectives, programs, outcomes, action, and performance measures. There are nine objectives that monitoring programs in the oil sands region are expected to achieve. The WBEA’s AAM and TEEM program activities align with the OSM objectives to track impacts from oil sands development through comprehensive and inclusive monitoring that is informative, relevant, rigorous, transparent, and cost-effective.