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Alberta Air Zones Report | 2014-2016 2

Alberta: Air Zones Report 2014-2016

Casandra Brown

This publication can be found at: open.alberta.ca/publications/9781460140475

Comments, questions, or suggestions regarding the content of this document may be directed to:

Ministry of Environment and Parks, Environmental Monitoring and Science Division

10th Floor, 9888 Jasper Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 5C6

Tel: 780-229-7200

Toll Free: 1-844-323-6372

Fax: 780-702-0169

Email: [email protected]

Media Inquiries: [email protected]

Website: environmentalmonitoring.alberta.ca

Recommended citation:

Brown, C. 2018. Alberta: Air Zones Report 2014-2016. Government of Alberta, Ministry of Environment and Parks. ISBN 978-1-4601-4047-5.

Available at: open.alberta.ca/publications/9781460140475.

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Alberta, as represented by the Minister of Alberta Environment and Parks, 2018.

This publication is issued under the Open Government Licence – Alberta open.alberta.ca/licence.

Published November 2018

ISBN: 978-1-4601-4047-5

https://open.alberta.ca/publications/9781460140475

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://environmentalmonitoring.alberta.ca/

https://open.alberta.ca/publications/9781460140475

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Alberta’s Environmental Science Program

The Chief Scientist has a legislated responsibility for developing and implementing Alberta’s environmental

science program for monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the condition of the environment in Alberta.

The program seeks to meet the environmental information needs of multiple users in order to inform policy

and decision-making processes. Two independent advisory panels, the Science Advisory Panel and the

Indigenous Wisdom Advisory Panel, periodically review the integrity of the program and provide strategic

advice on the respectful braiding of Indigenous knowledge with conventional scientific knowledge.

Alberta’s environmental science program is grounded in the principles of:

Openness and Transparency. Appropriate standards, procedures, and methodologies are

employed and findings are reported in an open, honest and accountable manner.

Credibility. Quality in the data and information are upheld through a comprehensive Quality

Assurance and Quality Control program that invokes peer review processes when needed.

Scientific Integrity. Standards, professional values, and practices of the scientific community are

adopted to produce objective and reproducible investigations.

Accessible Monitoring Data and Science. Scientifically-informed decision making is enabled

through the public reporting of monitoring data and scientific findings in a timely, accessible,

unaltered and unfettered manner.

Respect. A multiple evidence-based approach is valued to generate an improved understanding of

the condition of the environment, achieved through the braiding of multiple knowledge systems,

including Indigenous knowledge, together with science.

Learn more about the condition of Alberta’s environment at: environmentalmonitoring.alberta.ca.

http://environmentalmonitoring.alberta.ca/


Acknowledgements

The author thanks the following reviewers for their critical review and feedback, which has enhanced this

work: Cristen Adams, Ph.D. (Atmospheric Scientist, Alberta Environment and Parks) and Janine Ross

(Ambient Air Specialist, Alberta Environment and Parks).


Table of Contents Alberta’s Environmental Science Program ................................................................................................... 3

Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 4

Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 5

List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................. 6

List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ 7

Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................ 7

Summary .......................................................................................................................................... 8

The Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards ................................................................................. 9

The CAAQS Management Levels and Thresholds ............................................................. 9

Alberta Air Zones and CAAQS Reporting Stations ........................................................................ 11

Alberta Air Zones .............................................................................................................. 11

CAAQS Reporting Stations ............................................................................................... 11

CAAQS Assessment Methodology ................................................................................................ 13

CAAQS Metrics ................................................................................................................. 13

Transboundary Flow and Exceptional Events .................................................................. 13

TF/EE Influences on the Metric ...................................................................................................... 14

PM2.5 24-hour and Annual Metrics .................................................................................... 14

Ozone Metric ..................................................................................................................... 15

CAAQS Management Levels ......................................................................................................... 16

Management Actions ..................................................................................................................... 18

References ..................................................................................................................................... 19

Appendix A Demonstrating the Influence of TF/EE ................................................................. 20

Appendix B CAAQS Metric Values by Station and Air Zone Prior to the Removal of TF/EE

Influences 33

Appendix C Discussion of TF/EE Influences by Station and Air Zone .................................... 40

Appendix D Location of Air Zones and CAAQS Reporting Stations ....................................... 43

Appendix E Management Level Assignments at Each Station ............................................... 44


LIST OF TABLES Table 1 2014-2016 CAAQS Air Zone Management Levels ............................................................. 8

Table 2 PM2.5 and Ozone CAAQS averaging time, numerical value, and statistical form (metric).. 9

Table 3 Management Levels and Threshold Values for each of the three CAAQS (PM2.5 24-hour,

PM2.5 Annual, and Ozone). The CAAQS correspond to the upper threshold separating the

Orange and Red management levels. .............................................................................. 10

Table 4 PM2.5 24-hour, PM2.5 Annual, and Ozone Metric Values for each Air Zone before Analysis

of TF/EE. ........................................................................................................................... 14

Table A1 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Anzac station ............................... 21

Table A2 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay

station ................................................................................................................................ 22

Table A3 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Cold Lake South station .............. 23

Table A4 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Fort Chipewyan station ................ 24

Table A5 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Fort McKay South station ............ 25

Table A6 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley

station ................................................................................................................................ 26

Table A7 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes

station ................................................................................................................................ 27

Table A8 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Horizon station ........................... 28

Table A9 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 Annual - Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley

station ................................................................................................................................ 29

Table A10 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 Annual - Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes

station ................................................................................................................................ 30

Table A11 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for Ozone - Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley station 31

Table A12 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for Ozone – Edmonton-Woodcroft station .................. 32

Table B1 PM2.5 (µg m-3) 24-hour Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE ...................................... 34

Table B2 PM2.5 (µg m-3) 24-hour Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE ...................................... 35

Table B3 PM2.5 (µg m-3) Annual Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE ........................................ 36

Table B4 PM2.5 (µg m-3) Annual Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE ........................................ 37

Table B5 Ozone Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE ................................................................ 38

Table B6 Ozone Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE ................................................................ 39

Table D1 Latitude, Longitude, and Elevation of CAAQS Reporting Stations ................................... 43

Table E1 PM2.5 and Ozone Management Level Assignments at Each Station ................................ 44


List of Figures Figure 1 Alberta’s six CAAQS air zone boundaries and reporting stations within each air zone. .. 12

Figure 2 PM2.5 Management Levels for all air zones in Alberta. ..................................................... 17

Figure 3 Ozone Management Levels for all air zones in Alberta. ................................................... 18

Acronyms and Abbreviations 98P 98th percentile

AEP Alberta Environment and Parks

AQMS Air Quality Management System

CAAQS Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards

CCME Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment

GDAD Guidance Document on Achievement Determination: Canadian Ambient Air

Quality Standards for Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone

NAPS National Air Pollution Surveillance Program

NO2 nitrogen dioxide

O3 ozone

PM2.5 fine particulate matter, with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less

ppb parts per billion (by volume)

TF/EE Transboundary Flow and Exceptional Events

µg m-3 micrograms per cubic metre


Summary This report, “Alberta: Air Zones Report 2014-2016”, is Alberta’s third annual report on the Canadian Ambient

Air Quality Standards (CAAQS). The report summarizes the CAAQS status for Alberta’s air zones for

ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone measured in the years

2014, 2015 and 2016, the associated management levels, and the management plans in place.

This publication is part of Alberta’s annual air quality reporting against the Canadian Ambient Air Quality

Standards. Previous reports can be accessed at:

aep.alberta.ca/air/management-frameworks/canadian-ambient-air-quality-standards/default.aspx.

The CAAQS for PM2.5 and ozone were achieved in all six air zones for the 2014-2016 assessment period

after the removal of transboundary flow and exceptional events (TF/EE). Table 1 presents the management

levels assigned to each air zone based on the metrics calculated for the ambient air monitoring stations in

each zone, after TF/EE removal. Each management level is colour-coded and associated with a suite of air

management, monitoring, and reporting actions that become progressively more rigorous as air quality

approaches the CAAQS. A description of the management levels and the threshold values separating them

can be found in Section 2.1.

Table 1 2014-2016 CAAQS Air Zone Management Levels

Air Zone PM2.5 Management Level Ozone Management Level

Peace Actions for Preventing CAAQS Exceedances

Actions for Keeping Clean Areas Clean

Lower Athabasca Actions for Preventing Air Quality Deterioration Actions for Preventing Air Quality

Deterioration Upper Athabasca

Actions for Preventing CAAQS Exceedances North

Saskatchewan Actions for Preventing CAAQS Exceedances

Red Deer Actions for Preventing Air Quality Deterioration

Actions for Preventing Air Quality Deterioration South

Saskatchewan

http://aep.alberta.ca/air/management-frameworks/canadian-ambient-air-quality-standards/default.aspx


The Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards

The Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) are national ambient air quality standards intended

to protect human health and the environment. The CAAQS form the driver for the Air Quality Management

System (AQMS), a comprehensive approach to protect and improve ambient air quality.

The CAAQS were developed through a collaborative process with the federal government, provincial

governments, territorial governments and stakeholders under the direction of the Canadian Council of

Ministers of the Environment (CCME).

Table 2 shows the current CAAQS for ozone and PM2.5. In 2020, more stringent standards for ozone and

PM2.5 will be in effect. In addition, CAAQS for sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide will come into effect in

2020.

Provincial and territorial governments establish local air zones and identify air monitoring stations to report

on the achievement status of the CAAQS in air zones; these stations are referred to as CAAQS reporting

stations. Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for:

Monitoring air quality within each air zone;

Evaluating and reporting air quality against the CAAQS metrics;

Assigning management levels to each air zone; and

Planning and implementing air quality management actions where needed.

Table 2 PM2.5 and Ozone CAAQS averaging time, numerical value, and statistical form

(metric).

PM2.5 and Ozone CAAQS

Pollutant Averaging time Standards (concentration)

Metric 2015 2020

PM2.5 24-hour

(calendar day) 28 µg m-3 27 µg m-3

The 3-year average of the annual 98th percentile of the daily 24-hour average concentrations.

PM2.5 Annual

(calendar year) 10.0 µg m-3 8.8 µg m-3

The 3-year average of the annual average concentrations.

Ozone 8-hour 63 ppb 62 ppb The 3-year average of the annual 4th highest daily maximum 8-hour average concentrations.

The CAAQS Management Levels and Thresholds Associated with the CAAQS are management levels (air pollution concentration ranges) separated by

threshold values. A threshold value is a specific air pollution concentration that marks the beginning of a

new management level. The highest threshold value is set at the CAAQS. The middle threshold value is

set halfway between the 2020 CAAQS and the lowest threshold value for each pollutant. The lowest


threshold value corresponds to “baseline” concentration levels (air quality data that is least influenced by

local and regional anthropogenic sources, reflecting natural source emissions and very long range

(intercontinental) anthropogenic emissions). For a detailed description of the approach taken to arrive at

the lowest threshold value for each pollutant, refer to the Guidance Document on Air Zone Management

(Canadian Council for Ministers of the Environment (CCME), 2012b). The management levels and

thresholds for PM2.5 and ozone are shown in Table 3. Management levels are assigned to air zones based

on metrics calculated from the data collected at the ambient air monitoring stations within each zone. The

metric for each standard is introduced in Table 2 and discussed in Section 4.1.

Table 3 Management Levels and Threshold Values for each of the three CAAQS (PM2.5 24-hour, PM2.5 Annual, and Ozone). The CAAQS correspond to the upper threshold separating the Orange and Red management levels.

Management Level PM2.5 24-hour

(µg m-3) PM2.5 Annual

(µg m-3) Ozone 8-hour

(ppb)

Red Actions for Achieving CAAQS

Standard (2015) 28 10.0 63

Orange Actions for Preventing CAAQS Exceedances

Threshold 19 6.4 56

Yellow Actions for Preventing Air Quality Deterioration

Threshold 10 4.0 50

Green Actions for Keeping Clean Areas Clean

Each management level is colour-coded and associated with a suite of air management, monitoring, and

reporting actions that become progressively more rigorous as air quality approaches the CAAQS. The

following summarizes the objectives for air quality for each management level:

Green Level – Keeping Clean Areas Clean

Objective: Maintain good air quality through proactive air management measures and keep clean

areas clean. The primary action at this level is ongoing monitoring of ambient air quality levels.

Yellow Level – Preventing Air Quality Deterioration

Objective: Improve air quality using early and ongoing actions for continuous improvement. The

focus at this level is on ensuring that ambient air quality monitoring and information required to

assess the region’s ongoing air quality is in place.

Orange Level – Preventing CAAQS Exceedances

Objective: Improve air quality through active air management and prevent a CAAQS exceedance.

At the orange level, a management plan to improve air quality must be developed and implemented.

Red Level – Actions for Achieving CAAQS

Objective: Achieve air zone CAAQS through advanced air zone management actions. A

management plan containing measures to reduce ambient concentrations to below the CAAQS

must be developed and implemented.

More information on the actions to be taken for each management level can be found in the Alberta

Implementation of the Air Zone Management Framework for Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone (Alberta

Environment and Parks, 2015b).


Alberta Air Zones and CAAQS Reporting Stations

Alberta Air Zones Alberta is divided into six air zones (Figure 1) which are aligned with the Province’s Land Use Framework

regional boundaries (Alberta Environment and Parks, 2015b). Ambient air quality in Alberta is monitored at

continuous air monitoring stations located within these air zones.

CAAQS Reporting Stations Provinces and territories use data from a number of continuous stations to conduct the CAAQS assessment

and report on the achievement status of the standards and management levels in air zones. Alberta has a

network of air quality monitoring stations across the province and has used forty ambient monitoring stations

(Figure 1) located in varying monitoring environments, including large urban centres, to conduct this

assessment (see Appendix D).

Jurisdictions at a minimum are required to use one station for all communities with a population equal to or

greater than 100,000. Alberta has elected to report on populated areas that have a station monitoring PM2.5

and/or ozone. As some of the existing monitoring stations are not located in populated areas, the following

criteria were developed to determine which monitoring stations will not be used for CAAQS reporting: Sites within areas of industrial activity;

Sites which are very near to industrial activities, except those used or accessed by members of the

public and/or near population centres;

Special study sites; and

Background sites with no history of anthropogenic influence.

More information on factors for establishing CAAQS reporting stations can be found in The Guidance

Document on Achievement Determination (GDAD): Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards for Fine

Particulate Matter and Ozone (CCME, 2012a) and in the Alberta Implementation of the Air Zone

Management Framework for Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone (Alberta Environment and Parks, 2015b).


Figure 1 Alberta’s six CAAQS air zone boundaries and reporting stations within each air

zone.


CAAQS Assessment Methodology

CAAQS Metrics The CAAQS are designed to be compared against metrics computed from hourly PM2.5 and ozone

measurements, using procedures specified in the GDAD. The GDAD also specifies the data completeness

requirements that must be satisfied to calculate a valid metric value. An air zone achieves a given standard

if the metric value is equal to or less than the standard and is in non-achievement if the air zone metric

value is above the standard (CCME, 2012a). For example, if the air zone PM2.5 24-hour metric value is less

than or equal to 28 µg m-3 (the standard), the air zone achieves the CAAQS. However, if the air zone metric

value is greater than 28 µg m-3, the air zone does not achieve the CAAQS.

The CAAQS metrics are calculated as follows:

The PM2.5 24-hour metric is the 3-year average of the annual 98th percentile of the daily 24-hour

average concentrations.

The PM2.5 annual metric is the 3-year average of the annual average concentrations.

The ozone metric is the 3-year average of the 4th highest daily maximum 8-hour rolling average

concentrations.

Transboundary Flow and Exceptional Events In order to determine whether the CAAQS have been achieved and to assess the metrics against the

CAAQS management levels, data affected by transboundary flow and exceptional events (TF/EE) are

identified and removed from the CAAQS metric calculations.

Transboundary flows are anthropogenic air pollutants released in one jurisdiction and transported by air

flows into another. It includes:

The transport of anthropogenic air pollutants from one Canadian province or territory into another;

and

The transport of anthropogenic air pollutants into Canada from another country.

Exceptional events are events that contribute to air pollution levels in an air zone and satisfy at least one

of the following criteria:

The event is not reasonably controllable or preventable;

The event is caused by human activities which are unlikely to reoccur; or

The event is a natural source; “natural” means an event in which human activities play little or no

direct causal role to the event in question.

The following is a list of examples of exceptional events:

Forest and grass fires caused by lightning, arson or other non-controllable or accidental causes

from within North America.

Structural fires, which include any accidental (including arson) fire involving a human-made

structure.

Prescribed forest and grass fires from within North America conducted for security reasons or for

enhancement of forests and wildlife purposes.

High wind dust events within North America, excluding the re-suspension of road dust.


Downward transport to the surface of ozone present in the free troposphere (i.e. above the mixing

layer/boundary layer), or from the stratosphere (e.g. stratospheric intrusion).

Chemical spills, industrial accidents, and the releases of air pollutants for safety reasons, and which

are not recurring events.

Volcanic, seismic events and other natural disasters.

In order to identify TF/EE, a weight of evidence approach is used. This method is outlined in the GDAD

(CCME, 2012a). A description of the weight of evidence approach as was applied to this assessment is

given in Appendix A.

TF/EE Influences on the Metric Before the removal of TF/EE, the PM2.5 24-hour and annual CAAQS were exceeded in the Lower Athabasca

air zone and the ozone CAAQS was exceeded in the Lower Athabasca and North Saskatchewan air zones

(Table 4). After the removal of TF/EE all air zones achieved the CAAQS.

Demonstration of the influence of TF/EE on CAAQS metrics is shown in Table A1 to Table A12 in Appendix

A. Appendix B shows the CAAQS metric values by station and air zone prior to the removal of these TF/EE

influences, while Appendix C provides a discussion of observations prior to the removal of TF/EE

influences.

Table 4 PM2.5 24-hour, PM2.5 Annual, and Ozone Metric Values for each Air Zone before

Analysis of TF/EE.

Air Zone PM2.5 24-hour Metric

(µg m-3) PM2.5 Annual Metric

(µg m-3) Ozone Metric

(ppb)

CAAQS 28 10.0 63

Peace 25 6.8 58

Lower Athabasca 113* 12.5* 73*

Upper Athabasca 24 9.0 62

North Saskatchewan 28 9.6 66*

Red Deer 20 6.8 58a

South Saskatchewan 26 7.0 60 * Air zone achieves the CAAQS after removing the influence of transboundary flow and exceptional events. a One of the three years of the assessment period did not meet completeness criteria. Metric value is based on two years.

PM2.5 24-hour and Annual Metrics Before analysis of TF/EE:

All stations in the Peace, Upper Athabasca, North Saskatchewan, Red Deer, and South

Saskatchewan air zones achieved the PM2.5 24-hour and annual standards;

All stations in the Lower Athabasca air zone exceeded the PM2.5 24-hour standard; and

Two stations in the Lower Athabasca air zone exceeded the PM2.5 annual standard (Fort McMurray-

Athabasca Valley and Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes).


Forest fire smoke was the largest contributor to PM2.5 TF/EE events. In 2015 and 2016, all PM2.5 TF/EE

events with concentration greater than the PM2.5 24-hour standard (28 µg m-3) were identified as influenced

by forest fire smoke. In 2014, only one station (Edmonton-Woodcroft) had a PM2.5 TF/EE event with

concentration greater than 28 µg m-3 that was not identified as influenced by forest fire smoke. PM2.5 levels

during this event were affected when roofing work was being conducted on the building housing the

Edmonton-Woodcroft air monitoring station.

In the Lower Athabasca air zone, a number of forest fire events were identified in each of the three years

of the assessment period. In 2014, the fires occurred during the months of July and August. In 2015, the

fires occurred from the end of May to mid-July, as well as at the end of August. In 2016, the fires occurred

throughout the months of May and June and in mid-July. The recalculated metric value with the TF/EE data

removed achieved the PM2.5 24-hour and annual standards at all stations in the air zone. Therefore, the

PM2.5 24-hour and annual standards were achieved in the Lower Athabasca air zone after the removal of

exceptional events.

Elevated PM2.5 concentrations that are not considered to be affected by TF/EE are most often observed in

the winter when wind speeds are low and frequent temperature inversions lead to conditions that are not

conducive to dispersion. This allows for the accumulation of precursor gases, such as nitrogen oxides,

sulphur dioxide and organic compounds, and can lead to the production of secondary particulate matter.

Ozone Metric Before the analysis of TF/EE:

All stations in the Peace, Upper Athabasca, Red Deer, and South Saskatchewan air zones

achieved the ozone standard; and

One station in the Lower Athabasca air zone (Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley) and one station in

the North Saskatchewan air zone (Edmonton-Woodcroft) exceeded the ozone standard.

The ozone metrics are primarily affected by elevated ozone concentrations observed in the spring. These

events, observed annually and almost simultaneously throughout the province, most likely do not have

significant contribution from local or regional anthropogenic activities. Some studies have attributed

elevated spring-time ozone to long range transport of precursors (Monks 2000, Cooper et al. 2010,

Christensen et al. 2015). To a lesser degree, elevated ozone is also observed when ozone precursors are

transported along with forest fire smoke.

At the Edmonton-Woodcroft station in 2014, two of the four highest ozone values occurred during the spring

peak and in 2015, the four highest ozone values were identified as influenced by forest fire smoke. In 2016,

three of the four highest ozone values were identified as influenced by forest fire smoke and the other

occurred during the spring peak. At the Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley station, the four highest ozone

values each year from 2014-2016 were identified as influenced by forest fire smoke. These events are

identified as TF/EE and removed from the calculations.

After the removal of these events, the recalculated metric values for both the Fort McMurray-Athabasca

Valley and Edmonton-Woodcroft stations achieved the ozone standard. Therefore, the ozone standard was

achieved in the Lower Athabasca and North Saskatchewan air zones after the removal of exceptional

events.


Ozone events that are not considered TF/EE are typically observed in the summer-time and are associated

with photochemistry in the presence of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Around large cities,

ozone was observed to be lowest within the most dense population centers, while highest ozone levels

were observed in areas immediately surrounding these urban cores. This “donut” around the urban centers

occurs because higher levels of nitrogen oxides in the city temporarily sequester (reduce) ozone.

CAAQS Management Levels In this section, ozone and PM2.5 management levels are determined by comparing ozone and PM2.5 metrics

to the CAAQS and associated thresholds, after the removal of identified transboundary flow and exceptional

events (TF/EE).

The following steps were taken to determine the management level for the air zone:

Metric values are calculated for each station within an air zone for each pollutant.

TF/EE are identified and removed from the data.

Metric values are recalculated after TF/EE influenced events are removed.

Management levels for each air zone are determined for both ozone and PM2.5 by comparing the station

with the highest metric value after TF/EE events are removed against the threshold values in the CAAQS

management levels (see Section 2). Since there are two CAAQS averaging-times for PM2.5, the air zone

management level is first determined for both the PM2.5 24-hour and PM2.5 annual metrics. The final PM2.5

management level for the air zone is the more stringent of the two (e.g., if the 24-hour PM2.5 is orange and

the annual PM2.5 is yellow, the PM2.5 management level for the air zone is orange).

Figure 2 and Figure 3 show air zone management levels for the 2011-2013, 2012-2014, 2013-2015, and

2014-2016 assessment periods for PM2.5 and ozone, respectively. Table E1 in Appendix E shows the

management level assignments for each station in these air zones after TF/EE analysis for the 2014-2016

assessment period.

For the 2014-2016 assessment period (the most recent reporting period), the Peace, Upper Athabasca,

and North Saskatchewan air zones were at the orange management level (indicating that actions for

preventing CAAQS exceedances are implemented) for PM2.5. The other three air zones (Lower Athabasca,

Red Deer, and South Saskatchewan) were at the yellow management level (actions for preventing air

quality deterioration).

In all previous reporting periods (i.e., 2011-2013, 2012-2014, 2013-2015), the Peace air zone was at the

yellow management level for PM2.5, and therefore the 2014-2016 assessment period is the first period at

the more stringent orange management level (Figure 2). The Upper Athabasca and North Saskatchewan

air zones have remained in the orange management level for each reporting period. The Lower Athabasca,

Red Deer, and South Saskatchewan air zones have improved from the orange management level assigned

in previous reporting periods (2012-2014 and 2013-2015) to the yellow management level in the current

reporting period. Therefore, with the exception of the Peace air zone, PM2.5 management levels have either

remained consistent or have improved in the 2014-2016 assessment.


Figure 2 PM2.5 Management Levels for all air zones in Alberta.

Ozone management levels were unchanged between the 2014-2016 reporting period and the previous

assessments for all air zones (Figure 3). The North Saskatchewan air zone was at the orange management

level, four air zones (Lower Athabasca, Upper Athabasca, Red Deer, and South Saskatchewan) were at

the yellow management level, and the Peace air zone was at the green management level (actions for

keeping clean areas clean).

Actions for Achieving CAAQS

Actions for Preventing CAAQS Exceedances

Actions for Preventing Air Quality Deterioration



Figure 3 Ozone Management Levels for all air zones in Alberta.

*Red Deer Air Zone Management Level based on two years

Management Actions

Alberta Environment and Parks developed management plans to improve air quality in air zones assigned

to the red and orange management levels for PM2.5 and ozone, as outlined in the 2011-2013 assessment

report (AEP, 2015a). These management response reports were released in September 2017 and are the

most up to date management plans developed for the air zones. Alberta Environment and Parks will

undertake actions in the following areas to reduce air emissions: regional planning actions, policy actions,

regulatory process actions, knowledge improvement, and engagement actions. Management actions will

vary from zone to zone based on the emission sources within each zone, and the management level to

which the zone has been assigned. For a comprehensive list of the management actions to be undertaken

in each air zone, please refer to the individual management response reports for each zone, available at

the Alberta Environment and Parks air management frameworks website:

http://aep.alberta.ca/air/management-frameworks/canadian-ambient-air-quality-standards/management-

plans.aspx.

Actions for Achieving CAAQS

Actions for Preventing CAAQS Exceedances

Actions for Preventing Air Quality Deterioration


http://aep.alberta.ca/air/management-frameworks/canadian-ambient-air-quality-standards/management-plans.aspx

http://aep.alberta.ca/air/management-frameworks/canadian-ambient-air-quality-standards/management-plans.aspx


References Alberta Environment and Parks (2015a), Alberta: Air Zones Report 2011-2013, ISBN

No. 978-1-4601-2313-3 (PDF), available at: http://aep.alberta.ca/air/management-

frameworks/canadian-ambient-air-quality-standards/documents/AlbertaAirZonesReport-2011-13-

Sep2015.pdf

Alberta Environment and Parks (2015b), Alberta Implementation of the Air Zone

Management Framework for Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone, Air Policy, 2015, No. 2, ISBN

No.978-1-4601-2058-3 (PDF), available at:

http://aep.alberta.ca/air/management-frameworks/canadian-ambient-air-quality-

standards/documents/ImplementationFramework-PM-Ozone-Sep2015.pdf

Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (2012a), Guidance Document on

Achievement Determination Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards for Fine Particulate Matter

and Ozone, ISBN: 978-1-896997-91-9 PDF, available at:

http://www.ccme.ca/files/Resources/air/aqms/pn_1483_gdad_eng.pdf

Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (2012b), Guidance Document on Air Zone

Management, ISBN: 978-1-896997-89-6 PDF, available at:

https://www.ccme.ca/files/Resources/air/aqms/pn_1481_gdazm_e.pdf

Christensen, J. N., Weiss-Penzias, P., Fine, R., McDade, C. E., Trzepla, K., Brown, S. T., & Gustin, M. S.

(2015). Unraveling the sources of ground level ozone in the Intermountain Western United States

using Pb isotopes. Science of the Total Environment, 530, 519-525.

Cooper, O. R., Parrish, D. D., Stohl, A., Trainer, M., Nédélec, P., Thouret, V., … & Avery, M. A. (2010).

Increasing springtime ozone mixing ratios in the free troposphere over western North America.

Nature, 463(7279), 344-348.

Monks, P. S. (2000). A review of the observations and origins of the spring ozone maximum. Atmospheric

Environment, 34(21), 3545-3561.

http://aep.alberta.ca/air/management-frameworks/canadian-ambient-air-quality-standards/documents/AlbertaAirZonesReport-2011-13-Sep2015.pdf



http://aep.alberta.ca/air/management-frameworks/canadian-ambient-air-quality-standards/documents/ImplementationFramework-PM-Ozone-Sep2015.pdf

http://aep.alberta.ca/air/management-frameworks/canadian-ambient-air-quality-standards/documents/ImplementationFramework-PM-Ozone-Sep2015.pdf

http://www.ccme.ca/files/Resources/air/aqms/pn_1483_gdad_eng.pdf

https://www.ccme.ca/files/Resources/air/aqms/pn_1481_gdazm_e.pdf


Appendix A Demonstrating the Influence of TF/EE A weight of evidence approach is outlined in the GDAD (CCME, 2012a). This section describes

transboundary flow and exceptional event (TF/EE) influences that were removed in order to demonstrate

achievement of the CAAQS.

In Alberta, the most frequent TF/EE influencing ozone concentration is elevated ozone concentrations

observed in the spring-time that most likely do not have significant contribution from local or regional

anthropogenic activities. In order to identify these events, the odd oxygen concentration (O3 + NO2) in the

early morning and late evening hours are compared to the daytime maximum. Locally-produced ozone

events are expected to occur under sunlit conditions and to have ozone values that increase over the course

of the day. In some cases, forest fires produce ozone precursors resulting in elevated ozone concentrations

in an air mass that has undergone atmospheric processing prior to arriving at a monitoring site.

Forest fire smoke is the largest contributor to PM2.5 TF/EE events in this assessment period. These smoke-

related TF/EE influences are identified using back trajectories provided by Environment and Climate

Change Canada, maps of forest fire hot spots, air quality health advisories, and satellite maps of forest fire

smoke.

Occasionally other types of TF/EE influences are identified. For example, on two days in 2014 at the

Edmonton-Woodcroft station, levels of PM2.5 were affected when roofing work was being conducted on the

building housing the air monitoring station. On one day in 2016, PM2.5 concentration measurements made

at the Edmonton East station were influenced by a wood fire at a waste management site in the east of

Edmonton.

PM2.5 24-Hour Metric 2014-2016 Assessment

Before the analysis of TF/EE, all eight stations in the Lower Athabasca air zone exceeded the PM2.5 24-

hour standard for the 2014-2016 assessment: Anzac, Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay, Horizon, Cold Lake

South, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay South, Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley, and Fort McMurray-Patricia

McInnes. After removing TF/EE influences associated with forest fire smoke, all eight stations achieved the

CAAQS.

Tables A1 through A8 list the dates and the 20 largest 24-hour average PM2.5 values for each year for the

2014-2016 assessment, ranked from highest to lowest at these stations.

Note that additional TF/EE influences (not listed in this appendix) were removed at most stations prior to

assessment of management levels.


Table A1 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Anzac station

Lower Athabasca Air Zone: Anzac

Rank

Daily 24-hr-PM2.5 (µg m-3) Before Removing TF/EE (Identified with *)

Daily 24-hr-PM2.5 (µg m-3) After Removing TF/EE

2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016

Highest 5-Aug 66.1* 11-Jul 145.3* 14-May 267.3* 6-Apr 12.0 23-May 10.4 18-Dec 24.1

2nd Highest 12-Jul 54.8* 3-Jul 107.8* 15-May 266.9* 20-Nov 11.6 6-Jul 9.9 10-Jan 18.8

3rd Highest 7-Jul 40.7* 4-Jul 87.7* 5-May 222.4* 13-Dec 11.5 14-Jul 9.3 23-Jan 17.9

4th Highest 20-Jul 40.6* 30-Jun 80.6* 26-May 84.0* 12-Dec 11.2 21-Jul 9.1 17-Dec 16.8

5th Highest 21-Jul 34.1* 29-Jun 78.4* 25-May 73.2* 8-Mar 10.7 14-May 8.9 19-Dec 12.5

6th Highest 22-Jul 31.9* 1-Jul 57.3* 18-May 67.0* 9-Jan 10.6 10-Jan 8.5 2-Dec 11.1

7th Highest 1-Aug 30.9* 2-Jul 38.2* 24-May 60.3* 5-Nov 10.5 6-Jun 8.5 1-Dec 9.9

8th Highest 29-Jun 27.5* 28-Jun 29.3* 17-May 52.4* 22-Jun 10.3 26-Aug 8.4 22-Jan 9.8

9th Highest 18-Aug 25.3* 30-May 27.3* 19-May 49.5* 19-Dec 9.8 9-Jan 8.3 2-May 9.7

10th Highest 8-Jul 24.5* 8-Jul 25.6* 21-May 46.2* 26-Nov 9.6 12-Jan 8.3 29-Jun 9.7

11th Highest 30-Jun 24.4* 24-May 21.7 16-May 41.9* 23-Jun 9.5 11-Feb 7.8 7-Jun 9.3

12th Highest 2-Aug 24.0* 4-Nov 20.8* 20-May 39.7* 16-Sep 9.4 17-Jul 7.8 3-Jan 9.2

13th Highest 4-Aug 23.0* 7-Jun 19.5* 8-Jun 31.2* 19-May 9.0 14-Sep 7.8 20-Jul 9.0

14th Highest 11-Jul 21.8* 31-May 17.5* 23-May 26.3* 2-Jun 8.8 10-Aug 7.6 22-Jun 8.8

15th Highest 2-Jul 20.5* 25-May 16.1* 18-Dec 24.1 13-Sep 8.8 25-Aug 7.6 15-Jul 8.6

16th Highest 31-Jul 20.4* 27-May 14.7 10-Jan 18.8 25-Aug 8.4 6-Nov 7.6 21-Jan 8.5

17th Highest 3-Jul 19.6* 3-Nov 14.4* 23-Jan 17.9 19-Jan 8.3 7-Nov 7.6 15-Aug 8.5

18th Highest 14-Aug 18.4* 9-Jun 13.4* 17-Dec 16.8 14-Sep 8.1 19-Feb 7.5 23-Oct 8.5

19th Highest 16-Aug 17.7* 15-Jul 13.1* 18-Jul 15.8* 18-Dec 8.0 2-Oct 7.5 25-Jun 8.4

20th Highest 1-Jul 17.1* 9-Jul 12.8* 27-May 14.1* 16-Feb 7.9 5-Nov 7.5 9-Jan 8.2

# valid days: 362 362 354 328 339 327

98P Rank: 8 8 8 7 7 7

3-Year Average:

(27.5+29.3+52.4) / 3 = 36.4 36 – Exceeds CAAQS

(10.5+8.5+9.9) / 3 = 9.8 10 – Achieves CAAQS

Note: Bold indicates the value of the 98th percentile; CAAQS for PM2.5 24-Hour is 28 µg m-3. All TF/EE events for this site in 2014, 2015, and 2016 were due to forest fire smoke. *: Influenced by TF/EE


Table A2 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay station

Lower Athabasca Air Zone: Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay

Rank



2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016

Highest 4-Aug 135.8* 3-Jul 162.1* 7-May 1158.1* 13-Dec 23.0 20-May 17.4 6-Aug 17.9

2nd Highest 5-Aug 104.4* 4-Jul 159.8* 16-May 170.8* 27-Dec 18.9 4-Jun 16.3 27-Jul 17.3

3rd Highest 31-Jul 43.3* 12-Jul 149.5* 6-May 119.5* 9-Jan 16.9 10-Apr 14.0 22-Jun 16.6

4th Highest 12-Jul 42.9* 30-Jun 137.8* 25-May 94.2* 30-Mar 15.9 23-May 13.9 2-Dec 16.1

5th Highest 1-Aug 37.6* 11-Jul 98.7* 17-May 90.3* 9-Dec 15.6 9-Aug 13.3 21-Jun 15.7

6th Highest 22-Jul 35.7* 29-Jun 81.5* 15-May 89.0* 19-Dec 15.3 20-Jun 13.1 4-Jan 15.3

7th Highest 20-Jul 34.5* 31-May 37.5* 24-May 38.3* 14-Feb 14.0 3-Jun 12.9 5-Aug 14.4

8th Highest 21-Jul 32.3* 8-Jul 33.8* 17-Jul 27.5* 18-Dec 14.0 1-Dec 12.9 23-Jan 13.8

9th Highest 7-Jul 28.9* 1-Jul 33.4* 4-May 24.0* 5-Feb 13.3 13-Jul 12.7 28-Jul 13.5

10th Highest 2-Jul 25.6* 28-Jun 32.8* 3-May 22.0* 19-Jan 13.1 29-Sep 12.7 1-Dec 13.0

11th Highest 29-Jun 23.3* 2-Jul 32.3* 8-May 20.9* 3-Aug 12.8 4-Oct 12.5 10-Mar 12.9

12th Highest 13-Dec 23.0 25-Jun 29.0* 18-Jul 20.8* 30-Jul 12.7 19-May 12.0 2-May 12.8

13th Highest 19-Jul 21.7* 25-May 26.5* 6-Aug 17.9 20-Nov 12.7 21-Jul 12.0 14-Jun 12.7

14th Highest 8-Jul 21.6* 7-Jun 24.3* 27-Jul 17.3 19-May 12.2 14-May 11.9 26-Nov 12.7

15th Highest 7-Aug 19.9* 24-May 23.8* 29-Jun 17.0* 15-Jul 12.2 9-Jun 11.8 20-Jul 12.5

16th Highest 11-Jul 19.8* 4-Nov 21.9 22-Jun 16.6 13-Nov 12.2 9-Apr 11.5 1-Jul 12.2

17th Highest 2-Aug 19.6* 21-May 17.6* 8-Jun 16.2* 16-Feb 12.0 13-May 11.5 16-Jan 12.1

18th Highest 16-Aug 19.5* 22-May 17.5* 2-Dec 16.1 26-Aug 12.0 5-Jun 11.5 5-Feb 12.1

19th Highest 14-Aug 19.3* 20-May 17.4* 30-Jun 15.9* 30-Apr 11.9 21-Dec 11.5 9-Feb 11.9

20th Highest 17-Jul 19.1* 21-Jun 17.4* 18-May 15.8* 24-Aug 11.9 21-Mar 11.4 6-Jun 11.5

# valid days: 357 364 366 330 340 349

98P Rank: 8 8 8 7 7 7

3-Year Average:

(32.3+33.8+27.5) / 3 = 31.2 31 – Exceeds CAAQS

(14.0+12.9+14.4) / 3 =13.8 14 – Achieves CAAQS



Table A3 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Cold Lake South station


Lower Athabasca Air Zone: Cold Lake South

Rank



2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016

Highest 12-Jul 55.3* 10-Jul 155.2* 19-May 87.3* 21-Nov 24.4 12-Jan 20.1 24-Jan 20.4

2nd Highest 8-Jul 44.1* 11-Jul 128.1* 22-May 35.4* 20-Nov 21.7 1-Dec 19.5 5-Mar 18.4

3rd Highest 11-Jul 40.6* 4-Jul 113.5* 5-May 34.6* 23-Jun 21.4 22-Dec 19.2 7-May 17.6

4th Highest 16-Aug 36.3* 25-May 78.8* 21-May 30.7* 19-Jun 20.3 13-Jan 17.6 15-Apr 16.8

5th Highest 1-Aug 35.3* 26-May 67.4* 16-May 30.3* 24-Jun 15.8 30-Nov 16.9 13-Jan 16.6

6th Highest 7-Jul 35.2* 29-Jun 51.4* 14-May 21.8* 8-Mar 15.5 6-Nov 16.1 24-Feb 15.3

7th Highest 13-Jul 31.8* 1-Jul 50.9* 17-May 20.5* 17-Feb 15.3 7-Nov 14.8 18-Apr 15.1

8th Highest 2-Aug 29.5* 9-Jul 47.3* 24-Jan 20.4 24-Sep 15.0 12-Feb 14.5 1-Mar 15.0

9th Highest 2-Jul 28.9* 12-Jul 41.3* 5-Mar 18.4 15-Jul 13.8 14-May 14.5 5-Feb 14.8

10th Highest 30-Jun 27.3* 13-Jul 33.1* 15-May 18.0* 12-Aug 13.8 30-Aug 14.3 26-Feb 14.5

11th Highest 22-Jul 26.5* 2-Jul 21.1* 7-May 17.6 9-Dec 13.5 15-Dec 14.2 17-Apr 14.5

12th Highest 21-Nov 24.4 6-Jun 20.9 28-May 17.2* 9-Jan 13.1 2-Dec 14.1 17-Jan 14.4

13th Highest 21-Jul 21.7* 10-Jun 20.8* 27-May 17.0* 9-Jun 13.0 14-Nov 14.0 25-Jan 14.1

14th Highest 20-Nov 21.7 9-Jun 20.6 18-May 16.9* 26-Aug 12.8 8-Jul 13.9 26-Jan 14.0

15th Highest 23-Jun 21.4 3-Jul 20.2* 15-Apr 16.8 5-Dec 12.7 23-Dec 13.7 17-Jul 14.0

16th Highest 19-Jun 20.3 12-Jan 20.1 13-Jan 16.6 6-Nov 12.6 23-May 13.6 2-Apr 13.9

17th Highest 15-Aug 20.3* 7-Jun 19.9 13-May 16.3* 22-Nov 12.6 27-May 13.6 30-May 13.8

18th Highest 20-Jul 18.6* 28-Aug 19.6* 24-Feb 15.3 25-Jun 12.5 14-Jul 13.3 5-Jan 13.7

19th Highest 17-Aug 17.9* 1-Dec 19.5 18-Apr 15.1 13-Aug 12.0 11-Nov 13.3 25-May 13.7

20th Highest 28-Jun 17.3* 22-Dec 19.2 1-Mar 15.0 20-Aug 12.0 26-Nov 13.3 14-Apr 13.6

# valid days: 345 348 348 325 324 336

98P Rank: 7 7 7 7 7 7

3-Year Average:

(31.8+50.9+20.5) / 3 = 34.4 34 – Exceeds CAAQS

(15.3+14.8+15.1) / 3 = 15.1 15 – Achieves CAAQS


Table A4 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Fort Chipewyan station


Lower Athabasca Air Zone: Fort Chipewyan

Rank



2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016

Highest 4-Aug 206.4* 29-Jun 397.3* 24-May 114.4* 18-Dec 13.6 22-Sep 15.4 26-Nov 10.5

2nd Highest 14-Aug 89.5* 1-Jul 309.2* 17-May 98.5* 22-Dec 12.1 9-Sep 12.5 22-Jun 8.9

3rd Highest 5-Aug 86.3* 28-Jun 196.0* 7-May 74.8* 19-Dec 11.1 18-Sep 11.8 2-Dec 8.5

4th Highest 1-Aug 60.2* 2-Jul 166.9* 16-May 60.8* 9-Dec 10.9 7-Feb 11.0 13-Nov 8.2

5th Highest 31-Jul 51.9* 3-Jul 112.3* 25-May 46.5* 20-Dec 10.4 8-Sep 10.5 3-Dec 8.2

6th Highest 15-Aug 49.2* 11-Jul 97.0* 17-Jul 27.3* 9-Jul 10.3 10-Sep 9.8 27-Jul 8.0

7th Highest 17-Aug 44.6* 30-Jun 71.6* 16-Jul 20.2* 19-Aug 10.2 12-Sep 9.8 7-Nov 7.9

8th Highest 7-Aug 39.7* 27-Jun 69.4* 18-Jul 20.2* 2-Jul 10.0 30-May 9.6 20-Oct 7.8

9th Highest 16-Aug 39.7* 6-Jun 59.9* 8-May 18.4* 10-Jul 9.8 20-Jun 9.6 21-Jan 7.6

10th Highest 11-Jul 39.1* 12-Jul 51.6* 19-Jul 13.8* 25-Aug 9.6 17-Jul 9.6 22-Jan 7.5

11th Highest 18-Aug 36.3* 14-Jul 43.4* 12-Aug 13.5* 18-Sep 9.6 11-Sep 9.4 3-Jan 7.3

12th Highest 22-Jul 31.0* 4-Jul 40.0* 18-May 13.1* 28-Jul 9.5 25-May 9.3 24-Jan 7.3

13th Highest 29-Jun 28.8* 13-Jul 35.4* 1-Jul 12.7* 30-Jul 9.3 5-Nov 9.1 1-Dec 7.3

14th Highest 7-Jul 28.8* 24-Jun 28.9* 30-Jun 11.8* 9-Aug 9.1 19-Jun 8.8 24-Nov 7.2

15th Highest 17-Jul 28.5* 31-May 28.8* 26-Nov 10.5 30-Jun 9.0 4-Jun 8.4 29-Jun 7.0

16th Highest 19-Jul 24.0* 23-Jun 27.5* 22-Jun 8.9 1-Nov 8.5 3-Oct 8.4 27-Dec 6.7

17th Highest 16-Jul 20.7* 21-Jun 26.3* 2-Dec 8.5 3-Aug 8.4 30-Oct 8.3 5-Nov 6.6

18th Highest 23-Jul 19.2* 4-Nov 25.6* 13-Nov 8.2 22-Jun 8.2 26-Dec 8.3 23-Jun 6.5

19th Highest 8-Jul 18.6* 5-Jul 22.5* 3-Dec 8.2 18-Jul 8.1 14-May 8.2 29-May 6.3

20th Highest 2-Aug 18.2* 26-Jun 21.8* 27-Jul 8.0 24-Jul 7.9 11-Feb 7.8 6-Aug 6.3

# valid days: 359 360 351 327 332 337

98P Rank: 8 8 8 7 7 7

3-Year Average:

(39.7+69.4+20.2) / 3 = 43.1 43 – Exceeds CAAQS

(10.2+9.8+7.9) / 3 = 9.3 9 – Achieves CAAQS


Table A5 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Fort McKay South station


Lower Athabasca Air Zone: Fort McKay South

Rank



2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016

Highest 4-Aug 137.4* 4-Jul 158.3* 7-May 1140.6* 13-Dec 23.5 23-Jan 16.6 10-Mar 14.7

2nd Highest 5-Aug 99.3* 3-Jul 154.9* 6-May 175.6* 9-Jan 13.4 23-May 13.4 2-Dec 13.8

3rd Highest 12-Jul 45.2* 12-Jul 148.8* 16-May 155.8* 18-Dec 13.1 24-May 13.3 6-Aug 13.0

4th Highest 31-Jul 41.4* 30-Jun 123.7* 15-May 104.3* 19-Dec 12.9 22-May 12.5 23-Jan 12.7

5th Highest 1-Aug 36.4* 29-Jun 71.7* 25-May 73.1* 26-Aug 12.2 19-Jun 12.3 22-Jun 11.8

6th Highest 20-Jul 35.1* 11-Jul 67.4* 17-May 66.6* 20-Nov 11.8 10-Apr 11.6 26-Nov 10.9

7th Highest 21-Jul 34.6* 1-Jul 36.4* 24-May 33.3* 20-May 11.1 20-May 11.6 1-Dec 10.3

8th Highest 22-Jul 31.8* 31-May 32.6* 4-May 33.1* 22-Dec 11.1 14-May 11.0 21-Jun 10.2

9th Highest 7-Jul 29.8* 25-Jun 29.0* 8-May 28.8* 27-Jul 10.8 4-Jun 10.8 20-Jul 10.1

10th Highest 2-Jul 23.8* 8-Jul 26.4* 17-Jul 23.5* 6-Aug 10.8 6-Jun 10.6 14-Feb 10.0

11th Highest 13-Dec 23.5 28-Jun 26.2* 18-Jul 17.1* 14-Feb 10.6 8-Jun 10.5 19-Jul 10.0

12th Highest 29-Jun 21.8* 2-Jul 25* 10-Mar 14.7 24-Aug 10.4 11-Jun 10.5 8-Aug 10.0

13th Highest 16-Jul 21.7* 25-May 17.7* 18-May 14.5* 24-Jul 10.3 21-May 10.4 19-Dec 10.0

14th Highest 7-Aug 20.8* 13-Jul 17.6* 2-Dec 13.8 2-Mar 10.2 13-May 10.1 29-Jun 9.4

15th Highest 8-Jul 19.9* 21-Jun 17.5* 6-Aug 13.0 10-Jul 10.2 1-Dec 10.1 30-Jun 9.4

16th Highest 11-Jul 19.2* 4-Nov 17.0* 23-Jan 12.7 22-Sep 10.2 20-Jun 10.0 10-Jan 9.0

17th Highest 19-Jul 19.0* 23-Jan 16.6 2-May 12.7* 8-Dec 10.2 4-Oct 9.3 21-Jan 9.0

18th Highest 2-Aug 18.7* 7-Jun 15.8* 3-May 12.7* 19-Jan 9.9 22-Jun 9.1 22-Oct 9.0

19th Highest 16-Aug 18.5* 14-Jul 15.8* 22-Jun 11.8 15-Jun 9.8 3-Aug 9.1 29-Apr 8.8

20th Highest 17-Jul 17.3* 23-May 13.4 5-Jul 11.0* 27-Dec 9.8 18-Jun 9.0 29-Sep 8.8

# valid days: 363 358 363 330 338 348

98P Rank: 8 8 8 7 7 7

3-Year Average:

(31.8+32.6+33.1) / 3 = 32.5 33 – Exceeds CAAQS

(11.1+11.6+10.3) / 3 = 11 11 – Achieves CAAQS


Table A6 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley station


Lower Athabasca Air Zone: Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley

Rank



2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016

Highest 5-Aug 62.1* 12-Jul 145.2* 7-May 1034.8* 13-Dec 41.1 24-May 20.7 23-Jan 17.8

2nd Highest 12-Jul 58.8* 3-Jul 136.5* 15-May 724.6* 14-Feb 21.7 27-May 17.8 2-Dec 16.7

3rd Highest 4-Aug 45.9* 4-Jul 132* 14-May 561.4* 26-Aug 16.7 23-May 17.1 20-Jul 16.3

4th Highest 31-Jul 41.58 29-Jun 130.8* 6-May 385.2* 1-Mar 16.4 10-Apr 16.9 23-Oct 15.8

5th Highest 13-Dec 41.1 11-Jul 130.2* 16-May 357.9* 12-Dec 16.3 20-Jun 14.0 1-Dec 13.7

6th Highest 20-Jul 36.5* 30-Jun 118.4* 13-May 342.3* 15-Feb 15.7 14-May 13.7 20-Oct 12.7

7th Highest 7-Jul 36.2* 1-Jul 52.8* 4-May 292.4* 2-Mar 15.3 14-Mar 13.3 23-Jun 12.2

8th Highest 1-Aug 33.7* 8-Jul 46.2* 17-May 257.6* 23-Jan 14.7 21-Jun 13.3 11-Jul 12.0

9th Highest 22-Jul 33.0* 25-May 38.7* 18-May 195.7* 27-Jan 14.6 9-Jul 13.1 14-Feb 11.7

10th Highest 21-Jul 32.7* 31-May 35.2* 3-May 105.1* 4-Mar 14.2 8-Jun 12.9 24-Jun 11.6

11th Highest 16-Jul 26* 2-Jul 28.4* 5-May 103.0* 6-Jan 13.9 12-May 12.4 26-Jun 11.5

12th Highest 29-Jun 24.2* 28-Jun 28.2* 8-May 101.2* 20-Nov 13.9 11-May 12.3 22-Jan 11.3

13th Highest 14-Aug 22.8* 22-May 25.8* 20-May 83.1* 9-Jan 13.7 21-May 12.0 15-Jul 11.3

14th Highest 16-Aug 21.8* 30-May 25.1* 25-May 79.7* 20-Aug 13.7 10-Jul 12.0 6-Aug 11.3

15th Highest 14-Feb 21.7 4-Nov 23.3* 24-May 65.8* 5-Nov 13.7 20-May 11.9 20-Dec 11.1

16th Highest 30-Jun 21.0* 7-Jun 22.8* 2-May 64.0* 10-Jul 13.5 14-Jul 11.6 28-Nov 11.0

17th Highest 19-Jul 20.1* 24-May 20.7 10-May 51.7* 13-Aug 13.5 9-Oct 11.4 27-Jul 10.9

18th Highest 8-Jul 19.9* 13-Jul 20.2* 23-May 49.2* 3-Mar 13.4 10-Dec 11.3 18-Dec 10.9

19th Highest 2-Jul 19.3* 25-Jun 19.2* 8-Jun 29.2* 2-Jan 13.2 29-Dec 11.3 8-Mar 10.8

20th Highest 2-Aug 19.3* 27-May 17.8 21-May 26.6* 8-Mar 13.0 10-Jun 11.2 10-Jul 10.8

# valid days: 364 361 357 339 331 327

98P Rank: 8 8 8 7 7 7

3-Year Average:

(33.7+46.2+257.6) / 3 = 112.6 113 – Exceeds CAAQS

(15.3+13.3+12.2) / 3 = 13.6 14 – Achieves CAAQS


Table A7 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes station


Lower Athabasca Air Zone: Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes

Rank



2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016

Highest 5-Aug 76.3* 29-Jun 221.2* 4-May 1131* 13-Dec 38.8 24-May 23.2 23-Jan 15.8

2nd Highest 12-Jul 60.5* 12-Jul 128.4* 7-May 1080* 14-Feb 16.5 23-May 19.6 23-Oct 15.5

3rd Highest 31-Jul 50.0* 4-Jul 125.3* 6-May 568.4* 18-Dec 13.8 20-May 14.5 2-Dec 14.7

4th Highest 4-Aug 43.5* 3-Jul 123.5* 15-May 425.2* 12-Dec 13.6 21-May 13.7 22-Jan 12.0

5th Highest 13-Dec 38.8 30-Jun 115.1* 18-May 342.4* 20-Nov 13.1 27-May 13.6 20-Jul 11.4

6th Highest 1-Aug 37.8* 11-Jul 111.9* 3-May 282.3* 8-Mar 13.0 20-Jun 13.3 1-Dec 11.3

7th Highest 20-Jul 36.5* 1-Jul 37.2* 17-May 212.5* 19-Dec 12.8 1-Dec 13.0 6-Jan 10.8

8th Highest 7-Jul 36.4* 8-Jul 35.6* 14-May 159.1* 9-Jan 12.6 13-Jul 12.9 23-Jun 10.5

9th Highest 22-Jul 30.5* 31-May 31.7* 16-May 151.5* 26-Jul 12.5 4-Oct 12.9 27-Feb 10.4

10th Highest 29-Jun 29.2* 4-Nov 29.8* 8-May 121.3* 7-Aug 12.5 14-Mar 12.7 16-Jul 10.2

11th Highest 21-Jul 26.8* 30-May 24.3* 13-May 72.5* 28-Jun 12.2 9-Oct 12.6 27-Jul 10.1

12th Highest 30-Jun 24.1* 28-Jun 23.7* 5-May 63.7* 15-Aug 12.2 23-Jan 12.3 2-Jan 10.0

13th Highest 14-Aug 22.0* 24-May 23.2 25-May 55.4* 17-Jul 12.1 22-May 12.3 3-Jan 9.8

14th Highest 2-Aug 21.9* 2-Jul 23.2* 20-May 51.5* 5-Nov 11.4 21-Jun 12.3 26-Mar 9.7

15th Highest 16-Jul 20.0* 7-Jun 23.0* 19-May 49.4* 12-Aug 11.2 10-Jun 11.2 10-Jan 9.6

16th Highest 19-Jul 20.0* 25-May 22.8* 2-May 42.6* 3-Aug 11.1 17-Jul 11.2 14-Jul 9.6

17th Highest 6-Aug 19.7* 3-Nov 20.7* 23-May 33.0* 8-Dec 11.0 5-Jun 10.9 28-Nov 9.6

18th Highest 11-Jul 19.3* 23-May 19.6 10-May 28.3* 19-Aug 10.8 9-Jun 10.9 9-Mar 9.4

19th Highest 2-Jul 18.5* 25-Jun 16.3* 21-May 27.8* 9-Dec 10.6 19-Jan 10.7 6-Aug 9.4

20th Highest 8-Jul 17.7* 20-May 14.5 8-Jun 27.7* 10-Jul 10.5 21-Feb 10.6 26-Jun 9.3

# valid days: 356 364 361 331 347 331

98P Rank: 8 8 8 7 7 7

3-Year Average:

(36.4+35.6+159.1) / 3 = 77.0 77 – Exceeds CAAQS

(12.8+13.0+10.8) / 3 = 12.2 12 – Achieves CAAQS


Table A8 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 24-Hour - Horizon station


Lower Athabasca Air Zone: Horizon

Rank



2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016

Highest 4-Aug 160.8* 3-Jul 175.6* 7-May 438.7* 9-Feb 23.5 18-Aug 22.3 6-Aug 22.6

2nd Highest 5-Aug 134.7* 30-Jun 163.7* 16-May 117.2* 14-Feb 22.5 20-Jun 16.8 21-Jan 18.1

3rd Highest 31-Jul 55.2* 29-Jun 149.6* 17-May 108.9* 9-Jan 21.5 27-May 16.3 23-Jun 16.8

4th Highest 7-Jul 42.1* 12-Jul 140.3* 15-May 48.0* 16-Feb 21.4 9-Aug 16.0 28-Jul 15.6

5th Highest 12-Jul 40.8* 4-Jul 132.3* 17-Jul 39.5* 22-Jan 20.0 29-May 15.8 2-Dec 15.5

6th Highest 1-Aug 40.2* 11-Jul 88.0* 6-May 33.5* 15-Feb 19.9 9-Jun 15.6 5-Aug 14.1

7th Highest 20-Jul 37.7* 28-Jun 48.4* 24-May 33.1* 27-Dec 19.8 19-Jun 15.6 12-Aug 13.1

8th Highest 22-Jul 34.1* 1-Jul 39.0* 18-Jul 24.5* 27-Mar 18.1 3-Nov 15.5 19-Dec 13.1

9th Highest 21-Jul 33.9* 31-May 36.9* 5-Jul 23.8* 6-Aug 18.1 14-Jul 15.1 8-May 13.0

10th Highest 12-Aug 32.5* 7-Jun 35.3* 6-Aug 22.6 17-Jul 17.0 22-Jun 14.8 20-Jul 12.9

11th Highest 7-Aug 31.8* 25-Jun 35.3* 29-Jun 21.3* 4-Mar 16.8 18-Feb 14.7 19-Jul 12.8

12th Highest 19-Jul 28.7* 2-Jul 28.9* 3-May 18.3* 24-Aug 16.8 11-Jun 14.3 8-Aug 12.8

13th Highest 14-Aug 28.1* 8-Jul 26.8* 21-Jan 18.1 13-Jan 16.7 3-Jun 14.2 10-Aug 12.6

14th Highest 29-Jun 27.9* 22-May 25.9 23-Jun 16.8 14-Jul 16.4 13-Jul 14.1 23-Sep 12.6

15th Highest 2-Jul 27.8* 8-Jun 24.3* 28-Jul 15.6 28-Jun 15.6 18-Jun 13.8 3-Jul 12.5

16th Highest 16-Aug 27.8* 18-Aug 22.3 30-Jun 15.5* 16-Jan 15.3 23-May 13.7 22-Jun 11.8

17th Highest 11-Jul 27.3* 25-May 21.3* 2-Dec 15.5 16-Jun 15.2 17-May 13.5 14-Aug 11.8

18th Highest 16-Jul 26.3* 24-May 21.2 18-May 14.8* 1-Jan 14.5 15-May 13.3 8-Jun 11.7

19th Highest 9-Feb 23.5 26-Jun 19.8* 16-Jul 14.6* 12-Feb 14.5 4-Jun 12.8 16-Aug 11.5

20th Highest 8-Jul 23.2* 21-Jun 19.3* 5-Aug 14.1 13-Aug 14.5 24-Jun 12.0 27-Mar 11.3

# valid days: 364 364 361 338 342 346

98P Rank: 8 8 8 7 7 7

3-Year Average:

(34.1+39.0+24.5) / 3 = 32.5 33 - Exceeds CAAQS

(19.8+15.6+13.1) / 3 = 16.2 16 - Achieves CAAQS


PM2.5 Annual Metric 2014-2016 Assessment Before the analysis for TF/EE, two stations exceeded the PM2.5 annual standard: Fort McMurray-Athabasca

Valley and Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes stations in the Lower Athabasca air zone for the 2014-2016

assessment period. After removing TF/EE influences, these stations achieved the CAAQS.

Note that additional TF/EE influences (not listed in this appendix) were removed prior to assessment of

management levels.

Table A9 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 Annual - Fort McMurray-Athabasca

Valley station

Note: CAAQS for PM2.5 Annual is 10.0 µg m-3.


Year 2014 2015 2016

Number of valid Days 364 361 357

Average 9.0 9.1 19.5

3-Year average: (9.0 + 9.1 + 19.5)/3 = 12.5 – Exceeds CAAQS

Dates identified as TF/EE impacted and thus removed.

5-Aug 62.1 12-Jul 145.2 7-May 1034.8

12-Jul 58.8 3-Jul 136.5 15-May 724.6

4-Aug 45.9 4-Jul 132.0 14-May 561.4

31-Jul 41.5 29-Jun 130.8 6-May 385.2

20-Jul 36.5 11-Jul 130.2 16-May 357.9

7-Jul 36.2 30-Jun 118.4 13-May 342.3

1-Aug 33.7 1-Jul 52.8 4-May 292.4

22-Jul 33.0 8-Jul 46.2 17-May 257.6

21-Jul 32.7 25-May 38.7 18-May 195.7

16-Jul 26.0 31-May 35.2 3-May 105.1

29-Jun 24.2 2-Jul 28.4 5-May 103.0

14-Aug 22.8 28-Jun 28.2 8-May 101.2

16-Aug 21.8 22-May 25.8 20-May 83.1

30-Jun 21.0 30-May 25.1 25-May 79.7

19-Jul 19.9 4-Nov 23.3 24-May 65.8

Adjusted Number of days 310 327 320

Sum of PM2.5 Concentrations (µg m-3)

2268.9 1945.4 1808.9

Average 7.3 5.9 5.7

3-Year average: (7.3 + 5.9 + 5.7)/3 = 6.3 – Achieves CAAQS


Table A10 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for PM2.5 Annual - Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes station

Note: CAAQS for PM2.5 Annual is 10.0 µg m-3.

Lower Athabasca Air Zone: Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes

Year 2014 2015 2016

Number of valid Days 356 364 361

Average 7.0 7.9 18.4

3-Year average: (7.0 + 7.9 + 18.4)/3 = 11.1 – Exceeds CAAQS

Dates identified as TF/EE impacted and thus removed.

5-Aug 76.3 29-Jun 221.2 4-May 1131.0

12-Jul 60.5 12-Jul 128.4 7-May 1080.0

31-Jul 50.0 4-Jul 125.3 6-May 568.4

4-Aug 43.5 3-Jul 123.5 15-May 425.2

1-Aug 37.8 30-Jun 115.1 18-May 342.4

20-Jul 36.5 11-Jul 111.9 3-May 282.3

7-Jul 36.4 1-Jul 37.2 17-May 212.5

22-Jul 30.5 8-Jul 35.6 14-May 159.1

29-Jun 29.2 31-May 31.7 16-May 151.5

21-Jul 26.8 4-Nov 29.8 8-May 121.3

30-Jun 24.1 30-May 24.3 13-May 72.5

14-Aug 22.0 28-Jun 23.7 5-May 63.7

2-Aug 21.9 2-Jul 23.2 25-May 55.4

16-Jul 20.0 7-Jun 23.0 20-May 51.5

19-Jul 20.0 25-May 22.8 19-May 49.4

Adjusted Number of days 307 337 324

Sum of PM2.5 Concentrations (µg m-3)

1569.7 1652.0 1489.6

Average 5.1 4.9 4.6

3-Year average: (5.1 + 4.9 + 4.6)/3 = 4.9 – Achieves CAAQS


Ozone Metric 2014-2016 Assessment Before the analysis for TF/EE, two stations exceeded the ozone standard: Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley

in the Lower Athabasca air zone and Edmonton-Woodcroft in the North Saskatchewan air zone for the

2014-2016 assessment period. After removing TF/EE influences, these stations achieved the CAAQS.

Tables A11 and A12 list the dates and the 10 largest daily maximum 8-hour rolling average ozone values

for each year of the 2014-2016 assessment, ranked from highest to lowest at these stations.

Note that additional TF/EE influences (not listed in this appendix) were removed prior to assessment of

management levels.

Table A11 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for Ozone - Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley

station


Rank

Daily 8-hr-O3-Max (ppb) Before Removing TF/EE (Identified with *)

Daily 8-hr-O3-Max (ppb) After Removing TF/EE

2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016

Highest 4-Aug 62.5* 21-May 57.0* 4-May 233.6* 19-May 49.9 11-May 55.4 22-Jun 51.9

2nd Highest 28-Jun 53.6* 20-May 55.5* 3-May 197.3* 9-Apr 49.7 19-May 53.6 21-Jun 50.4

3rd Highest 12-Jul 53.5* 11-May 55.4 7-May 152.1* 30-Apr 49.4 24-May 53.1 2-May 50.3

4th Highest 17-May 52.9* 13-May 54.5* 6-May 113.0* 22-Apr 48.8 18-May 51.3 23-Jun 49.8

5th Highest 16-May 52.4* 14-May 54.5* 6-Jun 61.5* 13-May 47.8 20-Jun 51.1 18-Apr 48.4

6th Highest 19-May 49.9 19-May 53.6 5-May 58.9* 23-May 47.8 10-May 51.0 14-Jun 48.3

7th Highest 9-Apr 49.7 24-May 53.1 19-Apr 58.8* 23-Apr 47.6 3-Jul 50.9 20-Jun 48.1

8th Highest 30-Apr 49.4 12-May 52.8* 7-Jun 56.8* 8-Apr 47.4 29-Jun 50.5 15-Jun 47.6

9th Highest 22-Apr 48.8 22-May 51.4* 8-May 55.8* 14-May 47.1 1-May 50.4 28-Apr 47.4

10th Highest 13-May 47.8 18-May 51.3 22-Jun 51.9 21-Jul 46.8 23-May 49.5 29-Apr 47.4

3-Year Average:

(52.9 + 54.5 + 113.0) / 3 = 73.4 73 – Exceeds CAAQS

(48.8 + 51.3 + 49.8) / 3 = 50.0 50 – Achieves CAAQS

Note: Bold indicates the value of the annual 4th highest daily 8-hr-O3-Max; CAAQS for ozone is 63 ppb. *: Influenced by TF/EE


Table A12 Demonstration of TF/EE Analysis for Ozone – Edmonton-Woodcroft station

North Saskatchewan Air Zone: Edmonton-Woodcroft

Rank

Daily 8-hr-O3-Max (ppb) Before Removing TF/EE (Identified with *)

Daily 8-hr-O3-Max (ppb) After Removing TF/EE

2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016

Highest 30-Apr 60.7 11-Jul 86.3* 14-May 69.1* 30-Apr 60.7 27-Jun 65.0 17-Apr 61.9

2nd Highest 30-Jul 60.3 25-May 80.3* 15-May 66.3* 30-Jul 60.3 20-May 63.4 7-May 59.4

3rd Highest 5-Apr 58.9* 24-May 79.0* 18-Apr 62.1* 4-Jul 58.1 25-Jun 61.3 1-Jul 59.0

4th Highest 22-Apr 58.4* 23-May 78.1* 3-May 62.1* 3-Jun 55.6 10-Jun 61.0 20-Jun 58.0

5th Highest 4-Jul 58.1 22-May 74.1* 17-Apr 61.9 20-Apr 55.3 2-Jul 60.9 16-May 58.0

6th Highest 6-Aug 57.1* 21-May 66.9* 6-Jun 61.9* 29-Apr 55.3 11-May 60.6 2-May 57.7

7th Highest 12-Jul 57.0* 27-Jun 65.0 5-Jun 60.3* 8-May 55.1 9-May 60.1 16-Apr 57.1

8th Highest 21-Apr 56.6* 3-Jun 64.8* 7-May 59.4 3-Apr 54.4 9-Jul 60.1 19-Apr 54.8

9th Highest 17-May 56.1* 14-May 64.3* 1-Jul 59.0 21-May 53.9 10-May 59.9 21-Jun 54.8

10th Highest 3-Jul 56.0* 20-May 63.4 4-May 58.7* 11-Jul 53.3 11-Jun 59.6 28-Jun 54.1

3-Year Average:

(58.4 + 78.1 + 62.1) / 3 = 66.2 66 – Exceeds CAAQS

(55.6 + 61.0 + 58.0) / 3 = 58.2 58 – Achieves CAAQS

Note: Bold indicates the value of the annual 4th highest daily 8-hr-O3-Max; CAAQS for ozone is 63 ppb. *: Influenced by TF/EE


Appendix B CAAQS Metric Values by Station and Air Zone Prior to the Removal of TF/EE Influences The CAAQS metric values for each station in the six air zones are shown in Sections B.1, B.2 and B.3 for

the PM2.5 24-hour, PM2.5 annual, and ozone metric values, respectively. The air zone metric value is the

maximum station metric value which meets data completeness criteria. Information on data completeness

is included in the footnotes of Tables B1 to B6. TF/EE influences have not been removed from these metric

values and therefore the values are not compared to CAAQS or the associated thresholds.

B.1 PM2.5 24-hour Metric Values The PM2.5 24-hour metric values and the annual 98th percentiles for the 2014-2016 assessment period are

shown in Tables B1 and B2. These values are listed by air zone and ambient monitoring station without the

removal of TF/EE. The metric values for the 2014-2016 period ranged from 20 µg m-3 in the Red Deer air

zone to 113 µg m-3 in the Lower Athabasca air zone. PM2.5 readings in the Lower Athabasca are frequently

influenced by forest fire smoke.


Table B1 PM2.5 (µg m-3) 24-hour Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE (Peace, Lower Athabasca and Upper Athabasca Air Zones)

Station and Air Zone Annual 98th Percentile

Metric Value

3-year Average

2014 2015 2016 2014-2016

Beaverlodge 32.0a 18.1 17.6 23

Evergreen Park 29.1 14.5 16.1 20

Grande Prairie (Henry Pirker) 35.9 20.6 19.1 25

Smoky Heights 31.0 18.4 17.2 22

Peace Air Zone Metric Value 25

Anzac 27.5 29.3 52.4 36

Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay 32.3 33.8 27.5 31

Cold Lake South 31.8 50.9 20.5 34

Fort Chipewyan 39.7 69.4 20.2 43

Fort McKay South 31.8 32.6 33.1 33

Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley 33.7 46.2 257.6 113

Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes 36.4 35.6 159.1 77

Horizon 34.1 39.0 24.5 33

Lower Athabasca Air Zone Metric Value 113*

Edson 17.0 14.0 11.0 14

Hinton 28.4 26.3 18.4 24

Power 15.0 17.4 18.2 17

Steeper 21.6 15.8 7.8 15

Upper Athabasca Air Zone Metric Value 24

a: The year did not meet the data completeness criteria, but is included because the standard was exceeded. * Air zone achieves the CAAQS after removing the influence of transboundary flow or exceptional events.


Table B2 PM2.5 (µg m-3) 24-hour Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE (North Saskatchewan, Red Deer and South Saskatchewan Air Zones)

a: The year is not available as it did not meet the completeness criteria. b: One of the three years of the assessment period did not meet completeness criteria. The 3-year average is based on two years. c: The station was not in operation for this year. d: The 3-year average cannot be calculated because only one year is available.

Station and Air Zone Annual 98th Percentile

Metric Value

3-year Average

2014 2015 2016 2014-2016

Bruderheim 26.6 26.1 20.6 24

Caroline 18.5 21.6 14.1 18

Drayton Valley 19.1 21.4 20.0 20

Edmonton Central 24.6 21.5 24.2 23

Edmonton East 31.3 n/aa 20.2 26b

Edmonton-Woodcroft 39.9 22.0 22.5 28

Edmonton South 22.1 25.9 23.8 24

Elk Island 20.6 22.7 15.6 20

Fort Saskatchewan 25.5 27.3 25.5 26

Genesee 14.5 16.3 16.0 16

Lamont County 26.4 32.8 25.9 28

St. Lina n/aa 26.6 14.6 21b

Tomahawk 13.4 17.5 15.7 16

North Saskatchewan Air Zone Metric Value 28

Red Deer-Riverside 20.4 23.1 17.0 20

Lancaster n/ac 25.9 15.9 21b

Red Deer Air Zone Metric Value 20

Calgary Central 21.9 n/aa n/ac n/ad

Calgary Central-Inglewood n/ac n/aa 15.5 n/ad

Calgary Southeast n/aa 30.1 15.8 23b

Calgary Northwest 20.4 26.1 12.7 20

Medicine Hat-Crescent Heights 16.0 45.5 10.7 24

Lethbridge 20.9 42.0 14.1 26

South Saskatchewan Air Zone Metric Value 26


B.2 PM2.5 Annual Metric Values The PM2.5 annual metric values and the annual averages for 2014-2016 prior to the removal of TF/EE are

shown in Tables B3 and B4. Prior to the removal of TF/EE, the PM2.5 annual metric values for the 2014-

2016 period ranged from 6.8 µg m-3 in the Peace and Red Deer air zones to 12.5 µg m-3 in the Lower

Athabasca air zone. Forest fire smoke is the greatest contributor to elevated annual PM2.5 ambient

concentrations.

Table B3 PM2.5 (µg m-3) Annual Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE (Peace, Lower Athabasca and Upper Athabasca Air Zones)

Station and Air Zone Annual Average (µg m-3)

Metric Value

3-year Average

2014 2015 2016 2014-2016

Beaverlodge n/aa 4.9 4.8 4.9b

Evergreen Park 5.6 4.1 3.7 4.5

Grande Prairie (Henry Pirker) 8.2 6.3 5.9 6.8

Smoky Heights 5.6 4.9 5.3 5.3

Peace Air Zone Metric Value 6.8

Anzac 6.3 6.0 7.6 6.6

Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay 8.0 8.4 10.7 9.0

Cold Lake South 7.5 9.4 6.7 7.9

Fort Chipewyan 6.3 9.2 4.5 6.7

Fort McKay South 7.1 7.4 9.5 8.0

Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley 9.0 9.1 19.5 12.5

Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes 7.0 7.9 18.4 11.1

Horizon 9.6 8.5 7.6 8.6

Lower Athabasca Air Zone Metric Value 12.5*

Edson 4.6 4.0 3.5 4.0

Hinton 9.7 9.3 8.1 9.0

Power 4.1 4.1 4.4 4.2

Steeper 2.8 2.9 1.8 2.5

Upper Athabasca Air Zone Metric Value 9.0

a: The year is not available as it did not meet the completeness criteria. b: One of the three years of the assessment period did not meet completeness criteria. The 3-year average is based on two years. * Air zone achieves the CAAQS after removing the influence of transboundary flow or exceptional events.


Table B4 PM2.5 (µg m-3) Annual Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE (North Saskatchewan, Red Deer and South Saskatchewan Air Zones)

Station and Air Zone Annual Average (µg m-3)

Metric Value

3-year Average

2014 2015 2016 2014-2016

Bruderheim 8.7 7.2 6.2 7.4

Caroline 4.7 5.2 4.8 4.9

Drayton Valley 7.7 7.1 5.9 6.9

Edmonton Central 9.0 7.6 8.2 8.3

Edmonton East 11.2 n/aa 7.1 9.2b

Edmonton-Woodcroft 11.6 8.5 8.6 9.6

Edmonton South 9.1 10.3 6.5 8.6

Elk Island 5.7 5.8 5.2 5.6

Fort Saskatchewan 7.4 7.1 7.4 7.3

Genesee 3.9 3.9 3.8 3.9

Lamont County 7.7 8.3 7.6 7.9

St. Lina n/aa 7.1 4.4 5.8b

Tomahawk 4.1 5.2 4.5 4.6

North Saskatchewan Air Zone Metric Value 9.6

Red Deer - Riverside 7.1 7.0 6.2 6.8

Lancaster n/ac 10.5 5.2 7.9b

Red Deer Air Zone Metric Value 6.8

Calgary Central 8.6 n/aa n/ac n/ad

Calgary Central-Inglewood n/ac n/aa 5.8 n/ad

Calgary Southeast n/aa 7.6 5.3 6.5b

Calgary Northwest 7.8 8.5 4.6 7.0

Medicine Hat-Crescent Heights 4.8 6.6 4.0 5.1

Lethbridge 7.1 8.2 4.8 6.7

South Saskatchewan Air Zone Metric Value 7.0

a: The year is not available as it did not meet the completeness criteria. b: One of the three years of the assessment period did not meet completeness criteria. The 3-year average is based on two years. c: Station was not in operation for this year. d: The 3-year average cannot be calculated because only one year is available.


B.3 Ozone Metric Values Ozone metric values before removing TF/EE for 2014-2016 are indicated in Tables B5 and B6. The 2014-

2016 ozone metric ranged from 58 ppb in the Peace and Red Deer air zones to 73 ppb in the Lower

Athabasca air zone.

Table B5 Ozone Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE (Peace, Lower Athabasca and Lower Athabasca Air Zones)

Station and Air Zone Annual 4th Highest (ppb)

Metric Value

3-year Average

2014 2015 2016 2014-2016

Beaverlodge 53.1 62.5 58.5 58

Grande Prairie (Henry Pirker) 50.6 63.7 55.6 57

Peace Air Zone Metric Value 58

Anzac 52.8 58.5 61.5 58

Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay 58.9 60.3 59.1 59

Cold Lake South 52.7 57.3 53.8 55

Fort Chipewyan 49.9 56.5 51.9 53

Fort McKay South 49.9 49.4 57.4 52

Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley 52.9 54.5 113.0 73

Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes 52.6 52.6 71.8 59

Lower Athabasca Air Zone Metric Value 73*

Carrot Creek 58.5 65.1 58.0 61

Edson 55.0 65.4 64.3 62

Hinton 54.9 71.1 53.5 60

Steeper 60.1 63.4 54.4 59

Upper Athabasca Air Zone Metric Value 62

* Air zone achieves the CAAQS after removing the influence of transboundary flow or exceptional events.


Table B6 Ozone Metric Values before Analysis of TF/EE (North Saskatchewan, Red Deer and South Saskatchewan Air Zones)

Station and Air Zone Annual 4th Highest (ppb)

Metric Value

3-year Average

2014 2015 2016 2014-2016

Breton 59.6 63.0 54.8 59

Bruderheim 54.0 67.6 52.9 58

Caroline 57.4 62.9 57.1 59

Edmonton Central 49.6 54.0 53.5 52

Edmonton East 47.0 57.6 58.1 54

Edmonton-Woodcroft 58.4 78.1 62.1 66

Edmonton South 54.6 60.3 61.6 59

Elk Island 55.3 64.6 60.9 60

Fort Saskatchewan 53.3 66.4 58.3 59

Genesee 54.0 56.9 55.0 55

Lamont County 56.6 66.6 58.2 60

St. Lina 55.1 61.0 58.1 58

Tomahawk 59.1 65.0 58.0 61

Violet Grove 58.3 67.5 53.9 60

North Saskatchewan Air Zone Metric Value 66*

Red Deer-Riverside 49.6 n/aa n/aa n/ab

Lancaster n/ac 63.3 53.5 58d

Red Deer Air Zone Metric Value 58d

Calgary Central 47.3 n/ac n/ae n/ab

Calgary Central-Inglewood n/ae 60.9 61.1 61d

Calgary Southeast 55.6 59.9 57.1 58

Calgary Northwest 57.6 64.4 58.4 60

Medicine Hat-Crescent Heights 55.6 62.9 56.4 58

Lethbridge 56.0 61.3 56.6 58

South Saskatchewan Air Zone Metric Value 60

a: Data did not meet data quality objectives b: The 3-year average cannot be calculated because only one year is available. c: The year is not available as it did not meet the completeness criteria. d: One of the three years of the assessment period did not meet completeness criteria. The 3-year average is based on two years. e: Station was not in operation for this year. * Air zone achieves the CAAQS after removing the influence of transboundary flow or exceptional events.


Appendix C Discussion of TF/EE Influences by Station and Air Zone Most stations, even those with metric values below the standards, were influenced by TF/EE. The following

sections make note of any unusual events that may have influenced the metrics in the air zone and focus

primarily on the events of 2016. The values provided in the sections below are stated before removal of

TF/EE events.

C.1 Peace Air Zone Before analysis of TF/EE, the Peace air zone achieved the CAAQS for PM2.5 and ozone.

The Peace air zone was impacted by forest fire smoke in May 2016 from wildfires in British Columbia and

northeastern Alberta. Forest fire smoke from the Northwest Territories also influenced the air zone in July

2016.

The Beaverlodge station did not meet data completeness criteria for PM2.5 in 2014 (at least 60% valid daily-

24hr-PM2.5 was not available in the second quarter of the year). In the month of May, the PM2.5 analyzer at

the station experienced equipment failure and was replaced on June 25th. However, the 98th percentile for

2014 exceeded the standard and was included in calculating the PM2.5 24-hour metric, in accordance with

the GDAD. Therefore, the PM2.5 24-hour metric at Beaverlodge was calculated using three years of data.

C.2 Lower Athabasca Air Zone Before the analysis of TF/EE, the Lower Athabasca air zone exceeded the CAAQS for the PM2.5 24-hour

and annual metrics and the ozone metric. All stations exceeded the PM2.5 24-hour metric. Two stations

exceeded the PM2.5 annual metric: Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley and Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes.

One station exceeded the ozone metric: Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley.

The air zone was largely impacted by forest fire smoke in 2016. The highest 98th percentile value in the

Lower Athabasca air zone for PM2.5 in 2016 was 257.6 µg m-3, measured at the Fort McMurray-Athabasca

Valley station. The highest 24-hour average PM2.5 at this station was 1034.8 µg m-3, measured on May 7,

2016. Forest fires were evident throughout northeastern Alberta in 2016, with air quality advisories issued

by Alberta Health Services for the months of May and June. The Lower Athabasca air zone was also

influenced by forest fire smoke from Saskatchewan in June and July 2016 and the Northwest Territories in

July 2016. Demonstration of TF/EE analysis for the PM2.5 24-hour and annual metrics for stations in the

Lower Athabasca air zone can be found in Tables A1-A10 in Appendix A.

The ozone metric for 2014-2016 in the Lower Athabasca air zone was highest at the Fort McMurray-

Athabasca Valley station, with a value of 73 ppb. Demonstration of TF/EE analysis for the ozone metric for

this station can be found in Table A11 in Appendix A.


C.3 Upper Athabasca Air Zone Before analysis of TF/EE, the Upper Athabasca air zone achieved the CAAQS for PM2.5 and ozone.

Forest fire smoke from wildfires in northeastern Alberta in May 2016 and in the Northwest Territories in July

2016 influenced the air quality of the Upper Athabasca air zone.

The Hinton station observed the highest PM2.5 concentrations in the air zone with a 24-hour metric of 24 µg

m-3 and an annual metric of 9.0 µg m-3. In addition to forest fire smoke, wind-blown dust from a nearby road

and parking lot are likely the source of much of the elevated PM2.5 concentrations at this station. The

resuspension of road dust is not a TF/EE episode and therefore is not removed from the analysis. Focused

air monitoring is being conducted for the Hinton area to determine whether these dust events are localized

around the current station or are reflective of air quality throughout Hinton.

C.4 North Saskatchewan Air Zone Before analysis of TF/EE, the North Saskatchewan air zone achieved the CAAQS for PM2.5, but exceeded

the CAAQS for ozone.

Most stations in the North Saskatchewan air zone were influenced by the transport of forest fire smoke from

the fires burning in northeastern Alberta, British Columbia, and northwestern United States in May 2016,

and from the Northwest Territories in July 2016. In addition, the Edmonton East station measured elevated

PM2.5 concentrations on August 31, 2016 due to a wood fire at a waste management site in the east area

of Edmonton. Wind transported smoke from prescribed tree burning at Elk Island Park to Lamont County

station resulting in the elevated PM2.5 concentrations measured on November 30, 2016. For two days in

2014, the levels of PM2.5 at Edmonton-Woodcroft station were affected when roofing work was being

conducted on the building housing the air monitoring station.

Two stations in the North Saskatchewan air zone had PM2.5 metrics based on only two years of data due

to the stations not meeting data completeness criteria. The St. Lina station did not meet data completeness

criteria in 2014 and the Edmonton East station did not meet data completeness criteria in 2015.

The highest ozone metric in the North Saskatchewan air zone was 66 ppb, at the Edmonton-Woodcroft

station. Demonstration of TF/EE analysis for this station can be found in Table A12 in Appendix A.

C.5 Red Deer Air Zone Before TF/EE analysis, the Red Deer air zone achieved the CAAQS for PM2.5 and ozone.

The Red Deer air zone was impacted by the TF/EE influence of forest fire smoke in May 2016 from wildfires

in northeastern Alberta.

The Lancaster station had the highest PM2.5 24-hour and PM2.5 annual metric values of 21 µg m-3 and 7.9

µg m-3, respectively. However, the Lancaster station was not in operation in 2014 and therefore these metric

values are based on two years of data. As a result, this station was not considered for the assignment of a

PM2.5 management level for the air zone. The Red Deer air zone PM2.5 24-hour metric of 20 µg m-3 and

annual metric of 6.8 µg m-3 were based on the Red Deer Riverside station.


During an audit of the Red Deer Riverside station on October 11, 2016, a manifold inlet blockage was

discovered. This was followed by a detailed data quality assessment for the station. Comparison of the

ozone data from the Red Deer Riverside station with data from the Lancaster station showed a marked

divergence between the two stations, with the Riverside station measuring lower peak ozone concentrations

than the Lancaster station starting in early 2015 and persisting until the time of the October 2016 audit. As

such, data from 2015 and 2016 are not included in the assessment. A similar comparison between the two

stations could not be carried out for 2014 as the Lancaster station was only in operation for three months

in 2014. Therefore, there was not enough evidence to remove the Riverside data from the CAAQS reporting

for 2014. However, the Riverside ozone data in 2014 exhibited similar characteristics to the data in 2015

and 2016. Therefore, peak ozone concentrations may be biased low in 2014 compared with other reporting

years. With only one year of ozone data available, the Red Deer Riverside station was not considered for

the air zone metric. As the Lancaster station is the only other station in the air zone, this station was used

to determine the metric value for the air zone, even though only two years of data met the data

completeness requirements. The ozone metric in the Red Deer air zone was 58 ppb at the Lancaster station

and did not exceed the standard.

C.6 South Saskatchewan Air Zone Before the analysis of TF/EE, the South Saskatchewan air zone achieved the CAAQS for PM2.5 and ozone.

The South Saskatchewan air zone was impacted by forest fire smoke in August 2016 from wildfires in

northwestern United States. Forest fire smoke from northeastern Alberta, British Columbia and

northwestern United States also influenced air quality in May 2016.

The Calgary Central station did not meet data completeness criteria for PM2.5 in 2015 and was not in

operation in 2016. The Calgary Central-Inglewood station was not in operation in 2014 and did not meet

data completeness criteria for PM2.5 in 2015. The Calgary Southeast station did not meet data completeness

criteria for PM2.5 in 2014. For these reasons, these three stations were not considered for the air zone PM2.5

metric.

The highest ozone metric in the South Saskatchewan air zone was 61 ppb, at the Calgary Central-

Inglewood station. The Calgary Central-Inglewood station was not in operation in 2014 and therefore the

metric was based on two years and not considered for the air zone ozone metric. The Calgary Central

station did not meet data completeness criteria in 2015 for ozone and was not in operation in 2016. With

only one year of ozone data available, this station was not considered for the air zone metric. The ozone

metric for 2014-2016 in the South Saskatchewan air zone was 60 ppb and was observed at the Calgary

Northwest station.


Appendix D Location of Air Zones and CAAQS Reporting Stations Table D1 Latitude, Longitude, and Elevation of CAAQS Reporting Stations

Air Zone Station NAPS ID

Elevation Latitude Longitude

Meters above sea level

Decimal Degrees

Peace

Beaverlodge 91501 762 55.19634 -119.39682

Evergreen Park 93001 645 55.1172 -118.7647

Grande Prairie (Henry Pirker) 92001 658 55.1766 -118.8078

Smoky Heights 94001 638 55.402658 -118.280945

Lower Athabasca

Anzac none 495 56.449283 -111.037217

Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay 90801 268 57.18941 -111.6405

Cold Lake South 94301 556 54.4139 -110.2331

Fort Chipewyan 91801 238 58.70879 -111.17683

Fort McKay South 90806 342 57.1492 -111.6424

Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley 90701 260 56.7328 -111.3902

Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes 90702 355 56.75222 -111.47611

Horizon none 302 57.303717 -111.739617

Upper Athabasca

Carrot Creek 91601 800 53.621062 -115.869155

Edson 92901 894 53.593771 -116.395822

Hinton 93202 1215 53.427301 -117.544067

Power 93901 774 53.633 -114.4199

Steeper 91701 1400 53.1325 -117.09111

North Saskatchewan

Breton 95601 900 53.0903 -114.46061

Bruderheim 90606 632 53.799988 -112.92781

Caroline 91901 1140 51.94687 -114.69744

Drayton Valley 92801 858 53.220024 -114.984207

Edmonton Central 90130 663 53.54445 -113.49884

Edmonton East 90121 670 53.54823 -113.36811

Edmonton-Woodcroft 90133 670 53.564411 -113.562583

Edmonton South 90120 675 53.50022 -113.526

Elk Island 91101 714 53.68238 -112.86812

Fort Saskatchewan 90601 628 53.69887 -113.22328

Genesee 93101 772 53.3016 -114.2211

Lamont County 92201 767 53.76036 -112.88017

St. Lina 94401 679 54.2165 -111.5026

Tomahawk 91301 789 53.37255 -114.76835

Violet Grove 91401 1000 53.14222 -115.13806

Red Deer Red Deer Riverside 90302 858 52.29881 -113.79411

Lancaster 90304 907 52.24095 -113.765439

South Saskatchewan

Calgary Central 90228 1050 51.04761 -114.07517

Calgary Central-Inglewood 90230 1034 51.0382 -114.008821

Calgary Southeast 90229 1032 50.955122 -113.969742

Calgary Northwest 90222 1120 51.079222 -114.141828

Medicine Hat-Crescent Heights 90402 709 50.04893 -110.68116

Lethbridge 90502 918 49.71621 -112.8006


Appendix E Management Level Assignments at Each Station Table E1 detail the management level assignments for each station for both PM2.5 and ozone after TF/EE

analysis for the 2014-2016 assessment period.

TF/EE analysis was completed for all stations in the red and orange management levels. Management

planning must be implemented if the red or orange level has been assigned to an air zone. The 2014-2016

assessment identifies stations in the yellow management level as “Yellow or lower” if TF/EE analysis may

have brought the station to the green management level.

Table E1 PM2.5 and Ozone Management Level Assignments at Each Station

Station and Air Zone PM2.5 24-hour PM2.5 Annual Ozone 8-hour

Beaverlodge Yellowa Yellow or lowera Green

Evergreen Park Yellow Green -b

Grande Prairie (Henry Pirker) Orange Yellow Green

Smoky Heights Yellow Yellow or lower -b

Peace Air Zone Orange Green

Anzac Green Yellow Yellow

Bertha Ganter-Fort McKay Yellow Yellow Yellow

Cold Lake South Yellow Yellow Yellow or lower

Fort Chipewyan Green Green Yellow or lower

Fort McKay South Yellow Yellow Yellow or lower

Fort McMurray-Athabasca Valley Yellow Yellow Green

Fort McMurray-Patricia McInnes Yellow Yellow Green

Horizon Yellow Yellow -b

Lower Athabasca Air Zone Yellow Yellow

Carrot Creek -b -b Yellow

Edson Yellow or lower Green Yellow

Hinton Orange Orange Yellow

Power Yellow or lower Green -b

Steeper Yellow or lower Green Green

Upper Athabasca Air Zone Orange Yellow

Breton -b -b Yellow

Bruderheim Orange Yellow Orange

Caroline Yellow or lower Yellow or lower Yellow

Drayton Valley Yellow Yellow -b

Edmonton Central Orange Orange Yellow or lower

Edmonton East Orangea Orangea Yellow or lower

Edmonton-Woodcroft Orange Orange Orange

Edmonton South Orange Orange Yellow

Elk Island Yellow Yellow or lower Yellow


a One of the three years of the assessment period did not meet completeness criteria. The 3 -year average is based on two years b No assessment is possible as this substance is not monitored at this station c No assessment is possible because only one year is available.

Fort Saskatchewan Orange Orange Yellow

Genesee Yellow or lower Green Yellow or lower

Lamont County Orange Orange Yellow

St. Lina Yellowa Yellow or lowera Yellow

Tomahawk Yellow or lower Yellow or lower Yellow

Violet Grove -b -b Yellow

North Saskatchewan Air Zone Orange Orange

Red Deer-Riverside Yellow Yellow -c

Lancaster Yellowa Orangea Yellowa

Red Deer Air Zone Yellow Yellowa

Calgary Central -c -c -c

Calgary Central-Inglewood -c -c Orangea

Calgary Northwest Yellow Yellow Yellow

Calgary Southeast Yellowa Yellowa Yellow

Medicine Hat-Crescent Heights Yellow Yellow or lower Yellow

Lethbridge Yellow Yellow Yellow

South Saskatchewan Air Zone Yellow Yellow

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