Ambient nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide concentrations over a region of natural gas production, Northeastern British Columbia, Canada

摘要: The Peace River district of Northeastern British Columbia, Canada is a region natural gas production that has undergone rapid expansion since 2005. In order to assess air quality implications, Willems badge passive diffusive samplers were deployed for six two-week exposure periods between August and November 2013, at 24 sites across the ambient concentration nitrogen dioxide (NO2) sulfur (SO2). highest concentrations both species (NO2: 9.1 ppb, SO2: 1.91 ppb) during whole study period (except 1st period), observed in Taylor (Site 14), which consistent with its location near major industrial sources. Emissions from activities, their interaction meteorology topography, result variations atmospheric dispersion can increase pollution Taylor. However, relatively high NO2 also center Chetwynd (site F20), indicating importance urban emissions sources as well. Observations other document spatial variability show Fort St. John Dawson Creek, where unconventional oil development activities are quite high. Although few Columbia recorded elevated SO2 this investigation, over three-month well below provincial annual objectives. Nonetheless, given limited observations region, accelerated extraction meeting energy demands, it imperative monitoring networks established further potential associated region.