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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 1Hour Average 30-Day Average
Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5)
80 μg/m3
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.

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

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)

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.