AIR QUALITY
Indicators
- SO2 / NOx quantities
- Ground level ozone
- Total suspended particulates
- Industrial developments
- Air temperature
- Plant cover
- Forest fires
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Current Knowledge
Uninhabited areas of the NWT are considered to have pristine air. Air quality in developed regions such as Yellowknife, is compared to "natural" levels found within these regions.
Community emission sources include power generation, residential and commercial heating, transportation and incineration of waste. Peak pollution concentrations occur in the springtime due to dust from roads and on cold winter days when pollutants are trapped near the surface.
Mining emission sources include power generation, mine fleet and ore processing. Air quality modelling completed during Environmental Assessments indicates that there is potential for local air quality impacts during development. Dust appears to be the main concern. Most mines have, or are developing, an air quality monitoring program. Ongoing modelling studies are investigating cumulative impacts from mine emissions to regional air quality.
Oil and gas emission sources include flares, power generation, compressors, line heaters, pump jacks and dehydrators. The potential for air quality impacts depends on the size and location of the facility, the composition of the gas or oil being extracted and the type of fuel used at the facility.
Smoke from forest fires can greatly affect local and regional air quality. Forest fires can cause high concentration levels of particulate matter and ground-level ozone and can significantly impact visibility. Most exceedances of air quality standards in the NWT are linked to forest fires.
Current Monitoring
- Air quality monitoring stations (6) - Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)
- Upper air monitoring program - Environment Canada
- Air quality monitoring program - BHP Diamonds Inc.
- Dust Monitoring - Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
- Air quality monitoring program - Snap Lake - DeBeers Inc.
Gaps and Recommendations
Air quality under natural conditions has not been determined in areas where gas development and pipelines are being proposed.
Monitoring sites are needed in Fort Liard, Norman Wells and Inuvik. These sites would measure cumulative amounts - those amounts from all activity and development combined.
There is a lack of cumulative regional air quality monitoring. Measurements at Daring Lake should begin again and continue in order to assess changes in air quality from diamond mining activities. A new air quality station should be established downwind of the diamond mines to help determine cumulative impacts from mine activities.
This summary is based on: A Preliminary State of Knowledge of Valued Compnents for the NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program (NWT CIMP) and Audit. February 2002; updated February 2005.
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