STUDY OF THE DISPERSION OF PM10 IN CANADA

Abstract

This study aims to examine the dispersion of atmospheric particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 gm (PM10) emitted from a new oil refinery proposed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Refining Corporation (NLRC) at a proposed location in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada using the CALPUFF modeling system. Penn State/NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5) data for the full year of 2012 was used with CALMET to model the meteorological wind field of the domain. CALPUFF was used to model the dispersion effects of PM10 emitted from the refinery. CALPOST was used to summarize the hourly, daily, and monthly simulation results and produce monthly average contour plots of the plume trajectory of PM10. The highest 2012 average hourly, daily and monthly concentrations occurred respectively on June 21, December 3 and the month of July. On the contrary, the highest average hourly, daily and monthly concentrations were found to be the lowest out of all months at respectively March 29, October 27 and the three months of March, April and October. The maximum 2012 average daily concentration was found to be well below the maximum allowed PM10 concentration as defined by both the Newfoundland and Labrador Air Pollution Control Regulations and Ambient Air Quality Standard.