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2.3 Air

2.3.2 Suspended particulates

Relates to the following UN World Goals

11. Sjálfbærar borgir og samfélög

Relates to the following subgoals

11.6

By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

12. Ábyrgð neysla og framleiðsla

Relates to the following subgoals

12.4

By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

Progress

Airborne dust

Sjálfbærni.is

Figure 1. The capacity of airborne dust at selected monitoring sites in Reyðarfjörður. 

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Figure 2. Results in measurements of each month of the year 2021 on dust in the air at selected monitoring sites in Reyðarfjörður.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

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Figure 3. Sulphur dioxide in air at selected monitoring stations. Impact of eruption in Holuhraun in 2014 and 2015 in measurements. Measures station 4 due to volcanic eruption, and the value in this case only applies to parts of the year. 

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Figure 4. Results in each month 2021 measurements of sulfur dioxide in the air.

PAH emission

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Figure 5. PAH in air pollution filter in selected monitoring stations.

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Figure 6. Results in the measurements of each month 2021 on PAH in particulate matter filters. Gaps in the image are months that did not measure PAH in particulate matter filters

Fluoride (F) in air

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Figure 7. Fluoride in the air in selected monitoring stations.

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Figure 8. Results in measurements of each month 2020 on fluoride in the air.

Figure 9. Location of meteorological and air monitoring stations. Black triangles show meteorological stations for weather and air quality, while yellow automatic meteorological stations of the Icelandic Meteorological Office.

Figure 9. Location of meteorological and air monitoring stations. Black triangles show meteorological stations for weather and air quality, while yellow automatic meteorological stations of the Icelandic Meteorological Office.

Summary of measurements 2005-2021

Raw data in Excel sheet

Updated: May 5, 2022
Source: Alcoa Fjarðaál (2022).

Metrics, Targets and Monitoring Protocol

What is measured?

Concentrations of particulate matter, SO2, F, and PAH at established monitoring stations in Reydarfjordur (µg/m3). (Project effect: indirect).

Monitoring Protocol

Ambient air monitors, and precipitation monitor for both rain and snow.

  • Information will be collected with an annual "significant measurement" (EOL)
  • Measurements of SO2 and gaseous fluoride performed continuously, weekly for dust.
Target
  • Dust: < 50mg/Nm3 (EOP)
  • SO2: Yearly average concentration < 20 µg/m3 (EOP)
  • Gaseous F: average 0.3 mg/m3 from 1 April to 30 September each year. Possibly 0.2 mg/m3 after 48 months of operation (EOP).
Possible countermeasures

Alcoa Fjarðaál and Landsvirkjun have enviromental policies that are set to respect the environment.

See more:
Alcoa Environment

Landsvirkjun Environment

Updated: September 1, 2017

Changes of indicator

This indicator was originally number 17.2. It was then named Air Emissions and can be found under that number in documents of the project from 2005 and 2006.

The indicator number has been changed twice.

Table 1. Changes to name and number of indicator
Year Nr. Indicator name
2020 2.3.2 Suspended particulates
2007 2.14b Air Quality

Baseline

Concentration of airborne dust, SO2, F and PAHs at selected monitoring stations in Reyðarfjörður (μg/m3):

In the tables below you can see the results of measurements of the concentration of dust particles, SO2 and fluorine at selected monitoring sites in Reyðarfjörður in the years 2005 - 2008. Newer results will be included in the section on results as soon as they are ready.

Table 2. Annual and monthly averages airborne dust (μg/m3)
Year Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4
2005 13,3 10,5 10,5 -
2006 13,7 8,6 8,0 -
2007 17,8 8,2 8,3 11,8
2008 9,4 8,8 11,9 8,8
Table 3. Annual and monthly averages  SO2 in air (μg/m3)
Year Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4
2005 0,32 0,23 0,33 -
2006 0,55 0,29 0,21 -
2007 0,89 2,49 1,32 0,31
2008 2,06 2,99 2,22 0,91
Table 4. Annual and monthly averages fluoride in air (μg/m3)
Year Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4
2005 ≤ 0,09 ≤ 0,09 ≤ 0,09 -
2006 ≤ 0,09 ≤ 0,09 ≤ 0,09 -
2007 ≤ 0,09 ≤ 0,09 ≤ 0,09 ≤ 0,09
2008 0,10 0,13 0,09 ≤ 0,09
Table 5. Annual and monthly averages PAH in air (ng/m3)
Year Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4
2006 0,09 0,04 0,09 (0,12)
2007 0,36 0,17 0,14 0,33
2008 0,09 0,05 0,04 0,04

Rationale for Indicator Selection

Air quality is an important human health issue. Local residents are concerned that the smelter will adversely affect the local air quality and detract from the quality of life in Reydarfjordur. The sustainability of the local communities is, in part, dependent on desirable living conditions and the quality of the local environment. Emissions from the smelter will have a direct effect on the air quality in East Iceland.

From phase I/II report on indicators and baseline from April 2005

Further reading

2.3.2 - Svifagnir - Hrágögn 2022

2.3.2 - Svifagnir - Hrágögn 2022

2022

Hrágögn

View older reports

You can view more material related to the indicator by clicking on the link above.