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Network Plan Part 15 - NCore, Acid Deposition, Proposed Changes, New Sites

6. NCore Sites

The National Core Monitoring Program (NCore) is an EPA initiative to redesign a portion of the National air monitoring network. The existing compliance oriented network is set up with a parameter specific design that is targeted at the relatively high concentrations near the NAAQS. The data from this network is not as accurate at the low levels needed for trends analysis and model validation. The single parameter design is also not well suited to multi-pollutant health studies, integrated model assessment or the analysis of source attribution through comparisons of co-pollutants from sources to receptors.

The NCore program has been designed around approximately 75 sites Nationwide that are sited to represent large urban areas away from significant individual sources. A smaller subset of these sites will be located in rural areas. The NYSDEC in conjunction with EPA Region 2 office has suggested 3 of the NYSDEC monitoring sites for inclusion in this new network. The sites are:

Pinnacle is the only rural site of the three and it was also selected as one of ten pilot NCore sites. This site has hosted monitoring appropriate for the objectives of the NCore program due to its involvement with several research programs so it was well suited to take on the more difficult monitoring parameters required from the NCore monitoring program. SUNY Albany ASRC researchers have been making low level trace gas measurements at this site for the past ten years. Home built analyzers for low level CO and NO_y were employed. These prototype instruments required extensive post sampling data processing. They measured "true" NO₂ using direct photolysis method. Commercially available instruments are used for monitoring low level SO₂, continuous particulate sulfate, and OC/EC particulate carbon. In addition, realtime ammonia data are collected using two different methods-NO chemiluminescence with catalytic conversion, and ion mobility spectrometer. The Queens site which was recently established is preparing to monitor for some of the NCore parameters.

The NCore program is not yet funded and the sites are not expected to be fully operational until January 1, 2011

NCore Monitoring Objectives

a.) Timely Reporting of Data to the Public
b.) Support for Development of Emission Strategies
c.) Accountability of Emission Strategy Progress
d.) Support for Long-Term Health Assessments
e.) Compliance
f.) Support to Scientific Studies
g.) Support to Ecosystem Assessments

NCore Primary Monitoring Parameters

The NCore sites are required to be sited in conjunction with the PM_2.5 FRM network, the PM_2.5 speciation network and the PMcoarse network. These parameters will be supplemented with the NCore specific parameters that currently include NO_y, Low Level CO and Low Level SO₂.

NO_y which is defined as the sum of all reactive nitrogen oxides includes NO, and NO₂, and other nitrogen oxides referred to as NOz. The NCore program requires NO_y monitoring because it is the best indicator of the results from NO_x reduction strategies, it is valuable for ecosystem assessments, it is important for model evaluation and it supports NO₂ estimates for health effects studies.

CO is important to the NCore program because it is used in model evaluation, it is a surrogate for many combustion related pollutants, it is included in health effect studies and it can be used to assess control programs. CO is also monitored under the existing criteria monitoring program but NCore requires more accuracy at lower concentrations and siting that makes the data more representative of wider areas than the existing network.

SO₂ is important for model evaluation because of its role in sulfate formation which is a large percentage of PM_2.5 mass particularly in the Northeast. SO₂ is also important for some health effect studies and like CO it must be monitored accurately at low concentrations to meet the objectives of the NCore program.

Nitric acid (HNO₃) and ammonia (NH₃) are both compounds of interest in EPA's NCore program but they are not yet required because the sampling methodology is not yet fully developed. Both compounds are useful for model evaluation because of their contribution to PM formation.

To meet the monitoring requirements, trace level instruments for SO₂ and CO as well as NO_y measurements were all operational at the three NCore sites since the beginning of 2011.

7. Acid Deposition Monitoring Network

New York monitors and tests for acid deposition through the New York State Acid Deposition Monitoring Network, which was designed in 1985 to carry out requirements of the State Acid Deposition Control Act (SADCA). Measurements of acid deposition and related quantities are used to assess the effectiveness of sulfur control policy and other strategies aimed at reducing the effects of acid rain. Federal and State programs were implemented in recent years to further control emissions contributing to acid deposition. These include the NO_x and SO₂ Budget Trading Programs, and the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Trading Programs.

The network's objectives are to:

• provide a consistent, quality-assured, long-term acid deposition database;
• measure acid deposition in sensitive receptor areas;
• measure acid deposition in urban and upwind areas;
• use these data to perform spatial and temporal analyses of acid deposition, its precursors, and its effects; and
• track the effectiveness of programs to reduce acid deposition precursor emissions.

The monitoring network consists of 20 sites located throughout the state, in both rural and urban areas. Rainfall measurements are automatically recorded, but for other parameters, samples are collected manually from each site and then transported to our Rensselaer laboratory for the analysis of pH, conductivity, cation and anion concentrations. Ion chromatography is used for the measurement of cations and anions listed in Table 7.1.

The following trends charts for selected parameters show the progress made over the years through regulations and effective control strategies.

Figure 7.1 Statewide Concentration Trends Chart for pH

Figure 7.2 Statewide Concentration Trends Chart for Sulfate

Figure 7.3 Statewide Concentration Trends Chart for Nitrate

The acid deposition monitoring program is entirely funded by State monies. A statewide map depicting the locations of the DEC monitoring sites is provided in Figure 7.4. Also shown are monitoring stations operated by the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP). Measurements at DEC sites Altma, Buffalo, Loudonville, and White Plains were suspended on December 31, 2010.

Figure 7.4 Location Map of Acid Deposition Monitoring Sites

8. Anticipated Changes in the Next 18 Months

8.1 Lead Monitoring

Revisions to the monitoring requirements became effective January 26, 2011. The new regulations replaced the population oriented monitoring requirement with a requirement to add Pb monitors to the urban NCore monitors. The EPA also lowered the emission threshold from 1.0 tpy to 0.50 tpy for industrial sources of lead (e.g., lead smelters and foundries). One source located in Orange County was determined to have the potential to violate the standard due to the amount of lead processed at the facility and the past results from nearby ambient monitoring. The NYSDEC will continue to operate the ambient lead monitor that is already operating near that facility.

The emission threshold for airports was maintained at 1.0 tpy. In addition, an airport monitoring study will be implemented to determine the need for monitoring of airports which emit less than 1.0 tpy of lead. Under this new rule lead monitoring is required for a minimum of one year at 15 additional airports that have been identified as having characteristics that could lead to ambient lead concentrations approaching or exceeding the lead NAAQS. Brookhaven and Republic airports in Suffolk County, New York have been designated as such, and monitoring will commence this summer.

The NYSDEC currently has two urban lead monitors at the NATTS sites (Rochester, Bronx). The Rochester site is also a designated NCore site. It is the Regional Administrator's discretion to approve site substitution for the population oriented monitoring requirement. These monitors will take advantage of the allowance for the submission of PM10 lead data in place of TSP lead data. The NYSDEC acknowledges that the use of a PM10 monitor for lead compliance monitoring will be discontinued and replaced with a TSP monitor if a three month average lead concentration from one of these sites exceeds 0.1µg/m³.

8.2 Special Purpose Monitors

8.2.1 Tonawanda Community Air Quality Study

NYSDEC will continue sampling at two of the four study sites with State monies. The Tonawanda II site at Brookside Terrace will remain in operation as part of the permanent network, while the Grand Island Blvd. industrial site will be maintained as a special purpose monitor, resources permitting.

8.2.2 New York State Ambient Mercury Baseline Study

New York has established regulations to control mercury from coal-fired powered plants in a two-phase approach, with Phase I taking effect on January 1, 2010 and Phase II taking effect on January 1, 2015. The goal of Phase I is to reduce power plant emissions by 50% from 1999 levels, and preliminary indications are that these emissions have actually been reduced by about 65%. Phase II calls for 90% emission cuts. In order to track the progress of in- and out-of-state emissions reductions, the NYSDEC seeks to continue operation and maintenance of mercury wet deposition samplers and speciated Tekran systems.

NYSDEC was awarded an EPA grant to conduct this study at two existing urban sites: New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx (AQS Number: 36-005-0083), and Rochester (AQS Number: 36-055-1007) for a period of two years. The Tekran Model 2537B, 1130 and 1135 Mercury Speciation Units were used to measure elemental, reactive gaseous and particle bound mercury species in the ambient air. The wet deposition collector system, manufactured by N-CON Systems Co. Inc., and equipped with an ETI NOAH IV Precipitation Gauge was collocated at each site. The field data collection concluded in the fall of 2010. The results of the study were presented at the National Air Toxics Monitoring and Data Analysis Workshop in April 2011. The final report was submitted to the EPA in May 2011. The NYSDEC is seeking additional funding sources to continue data collection at these sites.

8.3 Proposed Changes at Existing Sites

As part of the new requirements specified in the revised Monitoring Regulations Parts 53 and 58, a network assessment was performed to determine "if the network meets the monitoring objectives defined in appendix D to this part, whether new sites are needed, whether existing sites are no longer needed and can be terminated, and whether new technologies are appropriate for incorporation into the ambient air monitoring network." As a result of this exercise, NYSDEC is proposing the following modifications to the existing network.

8.3.1 Site Closures

8.3.1.1 Schenectady

We are proposing to shut down this site as data from recent years show that the concentrations of monitored parameters are consistent with those observed at area stations at Loudonville, Grafton, and Stillwater, and are below NAAQS by a safe margin. The data collected at this site are redundant.

8.3.1.2 Hempstead

Redundant FRM PM_2.5 single parameter site.

8.3.1.4 Mamaroneck

Redundant FRM PM_2.5 single parameter site.

8.3.2 Streamlining of Monitored Parameters

8.3.2.2 Albany County Health

Reduce sampling frequency from daily to 1 in 3 days for FRM PM_2.5.

8.3.2.3 Buffalo

Reduce sampling frequency from daily to 1 in 3 days for FRM PM_2.5.

8.3.2.4 Susan Wagner

Discontinue redundant FRM PM_2.5 monitoring.