Atmosphere
Management Plan Goals
- Monitor air quality by participating in a weekly air quality monitoring program run by ANSTO and by liaising with local industries who conduct their own air quality monitoring.
- Participate in Upper Hunter Cumulative Impact Study.
Indicators
| Indicator | 08/09 | 09/10 | 10/11 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average PM2.5 total weight nanograms per cubic metre | 5393 | 6572 | 4939 |  |
| Number of PM2.5 sampling days above NEPM 24 hour reporting threshold | 0 | 2 - 3 | 0 | |
| Key for trends: |  Towards sustainability |
 Away from sustainability |
 No trend |
 No data |
Discussion
Air Sampling
Council participates in a PM2.5 air quality monitoring program with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). The data from this monitoring is available at the ANSTO website.
The program analyses particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter for a 24 hour period twice weekly. The air sampling unit is located at the Water Treatment Plant in Scott St, Muswellbrook.
The data has been compared with previous results and the National Environmental Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure PM2.5 Equivalence Program Advisory Reporting Standards.
The results indicate that the fine particulate matter concentrations are below the NEPM Advisory Reporting Standards. Ambient air quality in the 2010/2011 reporting period has improved when compared to the previous reporting period which was affected by statewide dust storms.
Figure nine shows the monthly average total weight of PM2.5 samples for each month July 2010 to June 2011. The data shows the average of samples for each month, except those in July and May, were below 7,000 ng/m3. The maximum daily reading was 16,600 ng/m3 on 22 May 2011.
All twelve months of the reporting period were close to or below the long term PM2.5 average for each month.
The National Environmental Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure includes a PM2.5 Equivalence Program to determine appropriate monitoring protocols for measuring PM2.5 concentrations. Included in the measure are Advisory Reporting Standards. These standards do not provide any particular health guideline value but rather are a reference for the State Government to report to the National Environmental Protection Council.
Further information on the NEPM is available at www.ephc.gov.au
The Advisory Reporting Standards for PM2.5 are 25,000 ng/m3 for 1 day and 8000 ng/m3for the annual average.
During the twelve months to June 2011 the monthly average PM2.5 concentrations for Muswellbrook has been below the annual average reporting Standards.
Figure 12: Average monthly results for 10/11 reporting periods by parameters
Figure 13: Average Annual results for 2005 to 2011 reporting periods by parameters:
| Average Ng/m3 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 6870 | 5608 | 5393 | 6572 | 5327 |
| NHSO4 | 1982 | 1803 | 1523 | 1504 | 1298 |
| Organ | 1342 | 860 | 911 | 1357 | 1056 |
| Soil | 640 | 436 | 503 | 1268 | 567 |
| Elt C | 796 | 676 | 731 | 705 | 754 |
| Salt | 687 | 471 | 516 | 225 | 321 |
Table 12 shows the annual average value for total weight, ammonium sulphate, organics, soil, elemental carbon and sea salt. When compared to the previous reporting period there has been an increase in the annual average values for salt and elemental carbon. When compared to the previous reporting period there has been a decrease in total weight, ammonium sulfate, organics and soil.
Muswellbrook Council has limited resources to analyse and assess the data collected through this monitoring program; however, this data has been a useful resource for identifying changes in ambient air quality for fine particulates.
Overall it is considered that the data indicates that the 2010/2011 reporting period had reduced levels for fine particulates in comparison to the 2009/2010 reporting period which was affected by statewide dust storms.
This data is made available to a range of research facilities studying the effects of fine dust in mining related regions.
Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network
In response to extensive community concerns about air quality, the Office of Environment and Heritage has developed the Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network. The Network will ultimate include 14 sites across the Upper Hunter with 3 sites in the Muswellbrook Shire area.
More information on the Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network can be found at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/aqms/upperhunterQnA.htm
Current air quality data can be found at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/aqms/hourlydata.htm
The network has only been established during the 2010/2011 reporting period and therefore comparative data is not available.
The Office of Environment and Heritage are continuing to develop data on air quality in the region to allow for a range of health and other studies to be conducted. As more data become available, they will be provided in the State of Environment Report.
Future Projects
Council will continue to support this air quality monitoring program and make the data available to a range of research facilities studying the effects of fine dust in mining related regions.
Council is endeavoring to see a network of real time monitoring stations established in the shire to provide more data to the community
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This page last updated 20 October, 2011 11:37 AM
