190 likes | 205 Views
The project aims to consolidate all air quality data gathered in Scotland into one accessible website. Over a 3-year contract, data from national networks and local authority sites will be quality assured and made available for trend analysis and mapping. The project includes newsletters, annual reports, and seminars. Quality assurance involves daily data collection and checks, site audits, and 6-monthly ratification. The assistance provided to local authorities includes intercalibration, corrective actions, and data feedback. The database capacity is growing rapidly to encompass various monitoring sites.
E N D
QA/QC of Scottish Air Quality Data Ken Stevenson
Project Overview Aim : • To have all of the air quality data collected in Scotland in one accessible website Duration: • 3-year contract Key elements: • Data from National Network and LA sites in Scotland • All quality assured to same standard • Data available via open access website • Long-term trend analysis • Mapping of pollutants throughout Scotland • Newsletter and Annual Report • Annual Seminar
QA/QC of Scottish sites • Current Situation – • Total 60 Sites on Scottish website (up from 44 in 2007) • 32 sites operated under this project • 15 AURN • 13 funded by LAs or Scottish Grant Scheme
Additional sites to be added • 5 sites temporily closed for relocation or roadworks • Fife Cupar • Edinburgh Haymarket • Aberdeen Market St • N. Lanarkshire, Harthill • N Lanarkshire, Ellis Road • 4 sites still to join the database • East Lothian, Mussleburgh North High St – In progress • East Renfrewshire, Clarkston – In progress • Shetland Stanley Hill – telemetry issues • North Ayrshire, Irvine – New site recently installed This will bring the total to 69 sites on the Scottish Database.
QA/QC • Daily collection of data from each site • Scaling of data from last calibration results • Daily checking of data • On-going data update as new information becomes available • Site audits • Collection and storage of all calibrations and service records etc • 6-monthly data ratification • “Quality Circle” data review • Update of ratified data to the website • Assistance to LAs where-ever possible
6-monthly site intercalibration and audit • AEA visits every site every 6-months to undertake the intercalibration and site audit • Check Analysers • Check Calibration Gases • Site Infrastructure • Local Operator 0401
Problems found at 2008/9 audits • Cylinders:- 4 NO cylinders • 1 SO2 Cylinder • PM Analysers:- 2 Ko out by more than 2.5% (2.8 – 4.8%) • 5 Main flows out (12 – 20%) • 6 Leak test failed • 1 Aux flow out (26%) • Gas Analysers 1 CO analyser fail leak test
Measuring PM PM10 “Equivalent Analysers” • Partisol (with emfab filters) • Beta (Met One) unheated, with correction factor • Beta (Opsis SM200) with correction factor • TEOM FDMS (not with C drier) • (TEOM with Volatile Correction Model)
Partisol • Automated sampling device - size-selected particulate matter on filters for later analysis. • Unattended operation for up to two weeks between site visits. • Filters are equilibrated, at 20° C and 50% R.H., for 48 hours - before and again after sampling. • Filters are carefully weighed using precision microbalances. • Concentration is a function of air volume sampled and weight PM of material on filter.
Scottish Government Partisol Monitoring Programme 2007 • PM10 and PM2.5 at 5 sites for 1 year • Data problems common to all UK Partisol measurements • High field blank due to moisture • Worst with Quartz filters – even though these are specified in EU PM10 standard • Data now corrected and reported • Data used for PM Mapping in Scotland • Changed to Emfab filters in AURN
BAM (Beta Attenuation Monitor) • Size-selected particulate matter on filter tape • Analysed by attenuation of Beta rays from Carbon-14 source • Zero from clean filter compared to soiled filter • Algorithm to calculate mass from attenuation • Correction factor may be required for equivalence
FDMS Operation Issues • Filter Changing • Possible long-term problems with FDMS C system • Use B or CB type drier
PM10 Monitoring in the Scottish Database • 45 monitors in total • FDMS 12 • BAM 4 • TEOM 29
Conclusions • QA/QC work is key to everything • Audits and Ratification are a major part of the project work • PM - Partisol issues resolved • FDMS and BAM Equivalent PM analysers being deployed • We strive to support and work closely with LAs – • respond to requests and enquiries • offer advice • feedback if we see problems with the data • chase for calibrations • The database is building rapidly 2006 – ~20 sites 2007 – 44 sites 2008 – 60 sites