Air Quality Impact Assessment for Wambo Open Cut Mine Project
Expert analysis of the air quality impact assessment for the Wambo Open Cut Mine Project, focusing on PM levels, NEPM standards, model year selection, background PM2.5 estimation, wind estimates verification, and potential impacts on air quality at Jerry Plains. Recommendations for improved assessment are provided based on comparison data and wind rose analysis.
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Comments on the United Comments on the United Wambo Project, Environmental Impact Assessment and Project, Environmental Impact Assessment and associated documents. associated documents. Wambo Open Cut Mine Open Cut Mine Conjoint A/Prof Howard Bridgman School of Environmental and Life Sciences University of Newcastle
Expertise Expertise I have 40 years experience researching and teaching air quality problems. My particular area of interest is particle matter (PM) and its management, especially in the Hunter Valley. I have over 100 publications and am an author or co-author for six books. I am a former President of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand, and was editor of their Journal (Air Quality and Climate Change) for 10 years.
NEPM PM10 and PM2.5 Standards NEPM PM10 and PM2.5 Standards Averaging Period Maximum Concentration Standard ( g/m3) Pollutant PM10 1 day 50 1 year 25 PM2.5 1 day 25 1 year 8
Is the air quality impact assessment (AQIA) undertaken Is the air quality impact assessment (AQIA) undertaken for the project adequate? for the project adequate? In 2025, PM2.5 24-hr standard reduced to 20 g/m3and the annual standard to 7 g/m3- should be considered in EIS Is 5 years enough to choose 2014 as the model year? Method to estimate background PM2.5 Percentage of PM2.5 in PM10 0.35 instead of 0.20 Verification of CALPUFF wind estimates vs measured values
Are any air quality impacts arising from the project Are any air quality impacts arising from the project appropriate? appropriate? Wind Direction and Speed wind roses vs model results Run CALPUFF model for winter and summer season Violations of current 24-hour NEPM for PM10 and PM.25 at Jerry Plains will increase with new mine operations
Comparison of Daily average PM10 at Jerry Plains, Comparison of Daily average PM10 at Jerry Plains, January 14 January 14- -24 2014 with same period for 2018 24 2014 with same period for 2018. Daily PM10 2014 (blue) and 2018 (orange), Jan 14-24 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Series1 Series2
OEH/EPA Measured hourly PM10 (red) and wind OEH/EPA Measured hourly PM10 (red) and wind direction (blue) data at Jerry Plains between Jan 14 and direction (blue) data at Jerry Plains between Jan 14 and 24, 2014. SE winds (100 24, 2014. SE winds (100- -150 degrees) create highest PM. 150 degrees) create highest PM.
Provide any further observations and opinions Provide any further observations and opinions which you consider relevant. which you consider relevant. Project operations (Scope 1 and 2), 5.8 MTY CO2-e are expected; for export (Scope 3) 260 MTY CO2-e are expected (from the burning of coal) NOT insignificant The Project refuses to take any responsibility for the latter, and claims the former are insignificant Unless GHG emissions are severely reduced, Australia will suffer increased periods of heat and drought Federal Government promises to reduce GHG emissions (Paris Agreement) cannot be met by authorising more coal mines.
