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2. Monitoring/Direct Measurement of Releases
The purpose of this section is to describe when monitoring is appropriate,
what parameters should be monitored, where they should be monitored and
a suggested frequency of monitoring for both air and water releases.
It also describes Standard Reference Methods that can be applied to the
monitoring.
Monitoring programs should be designed to be representative of the parameters
being considered. The term representative means that the sample resembles
the population of all possible samples.
2.1 Monitoring Air Releases
2.1.1 Release
Sources
The first step in monitoring air releases is to identify the emissions
sources within a facility. The most significant emissions from the BMSS
can generally be grouped into two major categories: stack and fugitive
emissions.
There can be differing definitions of fugitive emissions amongst the
BMSS. For this report, fugitive emissions refer to those air pollutants
that enter the atmosphere without first passing through a stack or duct
designed to direct or control their flow13. This definition
of fugitive emissions is consistent with descriptions of fugitive releases
("such as ventilation fumes and windblown releases from tailings
on your property") found in the Mining Association of Canada's guidance
documents.
There are two broad categories of fugitive emissions: process sources
and open sources. Process sources are those associated with industrial
operations. These emissions normally occur within buildings and, unless
captured, are discharged to the atmosphere through forced- or natural-draft
ventilation systems, such as roof vents or open windows. Open sources
are those where the forces of wind or machinery entrain solid particles
into the atmosphere. Sources include open transport, storage and transfer
of materials and unpaved roads.
Point source and non-point sources are terminology sometimes used to
describe stack and fugitive releases respectively.
Other categories of emissions include combustion, solvent evaporation,
and storage losses from tanks and/or silos. These release points tend
to be more relevant with respect to greenhouse gas emissions and smog-related
pollutants.
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2.1.2 Recommendations for Air Sampling
Stack testing or monitoring should be conducted as required by regulations
or permits. Since a key consideration in developing a monitoring program
is cost, it is therefore, recommended that the major sources at a facility
be monitored once per year, where more frequent stack testing is not
a regulatory requirement. The "major sources" should account
for over 75% of the releases from the facility.
Standard methods should be used for stack testing. These techniques
(i.e., standard methods) should obtain samples that can be analyzed for
CEPA-toxics, particulate matter (PM, PM10 and PM2.5)
as well as sulphur dioxide.
In order to convert emissions concentration to Normal conditions, the
following off-gas parameters should also be measured: volumetric flow
rate, temperature, water vapour content, static pressure in the off-gas
duct, and atmospheric pressure.
Dioxins and furans have recently been detected at BMSS facilities. It
is recommended that each facility sample its major sources of emissions
to determine whether dioxins and furans are present in the releases.
In the intervening years between monitoring programs, the method used
for estimating releases should be as least as accurate as the monitoring
programs.
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2.1.3 Continuous Emission Monitoring
In contrast to the source testing which provides a "snapshot" of
emissions during the period of the test, a continuous emission monitoring
system can be used to measure releases on a continuous basis over an
extended and interrupted period of time. A continuous emission monitoring
(CEM) system means "equipment and programs required to analyze one
or several specific compounds in the gaseous effluent emissions of a
discharge unit, quantify the amount of specific compounds emitted per
unit time, and process the information for reporting these emissions"14.
As such CEM hardware generally consists of the three major subsystems:
sample transport and conditioning; sample gas analysis; and data acquisition,
reporting and system control.
Typical components that can be measured include, but are not limited
to the following:
- sulphur dioxide,
- nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2, N2O),
- carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide,
- oxygen,
- ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), and
other organic compounds,
- particulate matter, and
- opacity.
Where a CEM system is considered, it should be designed and operated
following the recommendations of the document titled Protocols and
Performance Specification for Continuous Monitoring of Gaseous Emissions
from Thermal Power Generation - Report EPS 1/PG/715 published
by Environment Canada in September 1993, or as modified.
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2.1.4 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring
In addition to monitoring emissions, air quality can also be measured
by considering ambient levels. Ambient levels are the actual concentration
of a pollutant in the air. They are usually reported in parts per million
(ppm), parts per billion (ppb), or micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3).
In order to evaluate ambient air quality in Canada, monitoring stations
are maintained in most cities with populations greater than 100,000 where
air pollution can be a problem. In Canada, the Canadian National Air
Pollution Surveillance Network (NAPS) began a comprehensive national
program of tracking common air contaminants in the mid-1970s. By 1995,
the network consisted of 140 monitoring stations using over 400 instruments
in 52 urban centres across the country. In addition, ambient monitoring
is often conducted in areas potentially affected by a large industrial
facility.
The National Air Pollution Surveillance Network Annual Summary for 1998
states "The methods used to measure pollutants for which national
ambient air quality standards exist (sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide,
nitrogen dioxide, ozone and total suspended particulates) have been designated
as "reference methods" or "equivalent methods" by
the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Methods are strictly
governed by operations or instruction manuals and applicable quality
assurance procedures."
An ambient air quality monitoring program should be developed and implemented
in consultation with the appropriate regulatory authorities. This program
should include monitoring of metals, particulate matter (total, PM10 and
PM2.5) and sulphur dioxide taking into account:
- the location of the emission sources under the control of
the facility operator; and
- local meteorological conditions and probable maximum deposition
areas.
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2.2 Monitoring Water Releases
2.2.1 Release
Sources
There are three main categories of water releases from a typical industrial
facility:
- process effluent;
- cooling water effluent, and
- storm water effluent.
Process effluent can be defined16 as
- effluent that, by design, has come into contact with process materials,
- blowdown water (i.e., water that is discharged from a recirculating
cooling water system or a boiler system for the purpose of controlling
the level of water in the system or for the purpose of discharging
from the system materials contained in the system the further build-
up of which would impair the operation of the system)
- effluent that results from cleaning or maintenance operations
at a plant during a period when all or part of the plant is shut down,
and
- any effluent described in clauses (a) to (c) combined with cooling
water effluent or storm water effluent.
Cooling water effluent means "water and associated material that
is used in an industrial process for the purpose of removing heat and
that has not, by design, come into contract with process materials, but
does not include blowdown water".
Storm water effluent means "run-off from a storm event or that
is not used in any industrial process.
This section focuses on process effluents.
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2.2.2 Recommendations for Water Sampling
Water discharge should be sampled at the final discharge point for the
purposes of calculating releases. Releases from each final discharge
point should be sampled.
Federal and provincial regulations require sampling of water releases
on a regular and frequent basis. Sampling should be conducted as required
by regulations or permits. It is, recommended that the final discharge
points at a facility be monitored monthly, where more frequent testing
is not a regulatory requirement.
The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) recommends where water discharges
do not occur evenly/continuously over a year, quarterly sampling (i.e.,
every three months) should be replaced with a sampling regime of four
representative samples taken over the discharge period.
Appropriate techniques (i.e., standard methods) should be used to obtain
samples that can be analyzed for CEPA-toxics and other parameters of
interest.
The following effluent parameters should also be measured: volumetric
flow rate and temperature.
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2.3 Standard Reference Methods
There are several sources of standard reference methods that may be
applicable to the Base Metals Smelting Sector including Canadian federal
and provincial methods and methods from the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (US EPA). This section provides a brief description
of these methods.
2.3.1 Air
The following methods may be applicable to the measurement of air releases
from the Base Metals Smelting Sector.
- Environment Canada - Standard Reference Methods for Source
Testing: Measurement of Emissions of Particulate from Stationary Sources17
- Six test methods are presented in this report. They may
be used either independently to determine certain characteristics of
a gas stream, or in various combinations to determine particulate emissions.
Principle, apparatus, procedures, and calculations are described for
the determination of sampling site and traverse points (Method A) and
of various characteristics of stack gases: velocity and volumetric
flow rate (Method B), molecular weight (Method C), moisture content
(Method D), and releases of particulate (Method E). Method F is used
for calibrating the apparatus required for the tests.
- Environment Canada - Standard Reference Method for Source
Testing: Measurement of Releases of Lead in Particulate from Stationary
Sources18
- Methods for measuring the concentration and rate of emission
of lead in particulate to the ambient air from stationary sources
are discussed in this report. This reference method is to be used
in conjunction with the procedures described in "Reference Methods for Source Testing:
Measurement of Releases of Particulate from Stationary Sources",
which describes procedures for sampling of stack gases, analysis
of samples, and calculation of lead concentrations in particulate.
- Environment Canada - Standard Reference Methods for Source
Testing: Measurement of Emissions of Particulate Matter and Lead from
Secondary Lead Smelters19
- This Standard Reference Method referred to in the Secondary
Lead Smelter Release Regulation has been replaced by the Standard Reference
Method for Source Testing: Measurement of Releases of Lead in Particulate
from Stationary Sources as described above.
- Environment Canada - Standard Reference Methods for Source
Testing: Measurement of Releases of Selected Semi-volatile Organic
Compounds from Stationary Sources20
- The Environment Canada Reference Method described in this report
measures the releases of polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins,
polychlorinated dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyls, and other
semi-volatile organic compounds from stationary sources. The method
is to be used in conjunction with the testing procedures described
in "Reference Methods for
Source Testing: Measurement of Releases of Particulate from Stationary
Sources" (EPS 1/RM/8). This report describes the principle
of the method, the apparatus and reagents required, the procedures
to be followed, and the method for calculating concentrations of
semi-volatile organic compounds.
- Ontario Source Testing Code21
- This code was formulated to specify methods for the measurement
of emissions of air pollutants from stationary sources. The methods
described are reported by the Ontario Ministry of Environment to be
the most reliable technical procedures available at the date of issue
(November 1980). The code was reprinted, but not revised, in January
1998. Methods provided include location of sampling site and sampling
points, determination of stack gas velocity and volumetric flow rate,
determination of molecular weight of dry stack gas, determination of
moisture content in stack gases, determination of particulate matter
from stationary sources. For each method, the apparatus, procedure,
equations, and sample calculations are provided.
- British Columbia Field Sampling Manual - for Continuous
Monitoring Plus the Collection of Air, Air-Emission, Water, Wastewater,
Soil, Sediment, and Biological Samples22
- Field Sampling Manual defining general sampling procedures,
protocols and equipment which permittees are normally expected to employ
when carrying out monitoring required by the Ministry of Environment.
There are five main parts to the manual: (A) Quality Control and Quality
Assurance, (B) Air and Air Emissions Testing, (C) Biological Testing,
(D) Soil and Sediment Sampling, plus (E) Water and Wastewater Sampling.
Part B, Air and Air Emissions Testing, includes Stationary Air Emissions
Testing.
- US EPA Test Methods: Method 5D - Determination of Particulate
Matter Emissions from Positive Pressure Fabric Filters23.
- US EPA Test Methods: Method 6 - Determination of Sulphur
Dioxide Emissions from Stationary Sources24.
- US EPA Test Methods: Method 6C - Determination of Sulphur
Dioxide Emissions from Stationary Sources (Instrumental Analyzer Procedure)25.
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2.3.2 Water
There are Guidance Documents to support implementation of the proposed
Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER) under the Fisheries Act by Environment
Canada. These are also applicable to smelter and refinery effluents.
- Environment Canada's Guidance Document for the Sampling
and Analysis of Metal Mining Effluents26
- This document discusses sampling and chemical analysis considerations
and procedures for use with metal mining effluents. The document stresses
performance- based methods and how such methods should be applied to
the mining industry. Data quality measures and objectives and overall
quality control procedures are outlined for effluent sampling and analysis.
References to suitable analytical methods are also provided.
- Environment Canada's Guidance Document for Flow Measurement
of Metal Mining Effluents27
- This document discusses flow monitoring considerations,
equipment and procedures for use with metal mining effluents. The document
stresses performance-based methods and how such methods should be applied
to the mining industry. Topics addressed include the selection, design
and installation of flow measurement systems, the development of operation
and maintenance procedures, and the development of reporting protocols.
Guidelines are also presented for system accuracy and calibration and
the selection of monitoring equipment.
The following methods may also be applicable to the sampling and measurement
of water releases from the Base Metals Smelting Sector:
- Ontario Ministry of Environment's Protocol for the Sampling
and Analysis of Industrial/Municipal Wastewater28
- The purpose of this protocol is to provide guidelines with
respect to sampling, analysis and QA/QC procedures to be followed for
Ministry of Environment programs. It includes direction on techniques
for sampling of industrial/municipal wastewater, preservation of samples
and their storage requirements, maximum storage times allowed prior
to analysis, the most appropriate and where applicable alternate preparation
and instrumental analysis protocols and the type and frequency of field
and laboratory QC samples.
- British Columbia Field Sampling Manual - for Continuous
Monitoring Plus the Collection of Air, Air-Emission, Water, Wastewater,
Soil, Sediment, and Biological Samples29
- The Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks has published
a 312 page Field Sampling Manual to define general sampling procedures,
protocols and equipment which permittees are normally expected
to employ when carrying out monitoring required by the Ministry
of Environment. This manual has been officially approved by the
Executive Director, Environmental Protection Department, Ministry
of Environment, Lands and Parks. It may be cited in Waste Management
Permits, approvals and orders. There are five main parts to the
manual including:
- (E) Water and Wastewater Sampling. Part E,
Water and Wastewater Sampling, includes Effluent Sampling.
- Environment Canada's The Inspector's Field Sampling Manual:
A Sampling Manual and Reference Guide for Environment Canada Inspectors30
- This manual was developed with the objective of setting
and implementing national standards and uniformity for field sampling
practices. It also serves as a training manual and a reference guide
for inspectors in the field. The manual covers planning, sampling in
the field, sampling for specific media, protocols and descriptions
and includes a number of appendices.
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