Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

2011-2012 AEMR
3.2.2.4 Dust Deposition
WCPL maintains a network of 15 dust deposition
gauges, the location of each dust deposition gauge
is shown in Figure 3.1.
All depositional dust gauges were sampled and
analysed for insoluble solids and ash residue, in
accordance with AS3580.10.1:2003 Methods for
Sampling and Analysis of Ambient Air and National
Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)
requirements.
WCPL annual average impact assessment criteria
for depositional dust is 4g/m 2 /month (see Table 3.5)
on privately owned land.
Table 3.5 Impact Assessment Criteria for Dust
Pollutant
Deposited
Dust
Averaging
Period
Max increase
in deposited
dust levels
Max total
deposited 7
dust levels
Annual 2 g/m 2 /month 4 g/m 2 /month
A summary of the annual averages for the 15 dust
gauges is provided in Figure 3.11 below and a full
summary of the monthly results provided in
Appendix 2B. There was a capture and analysis
rate of 100% for all dust gauges expect for D07 and
D12. Results were not obtainable for D07 during the
December 2011 exposure period due to the glass
bottle and funnel missing at the time of collection.
Results were not obtainable for D12 for the
November 2011 exposure period as the glass bottle
was broken at the time of collection. Throughout the
reporting period it was noted some of the dust
gauges contained various sources of foreign
material including bird droppings, insects, sticks and
other organic matter when analysed.
Contamination was assessed based on field
observations, laboratory observations, historical
data and wind patterns. All monthly dust results
deemed to be contaminated were excluded from the
annual average.
Table 3.6 compares the annual dust averages for
insoluble solids, exclusive of results deemed
contaminated, against previous reporting periods.
There were no depositional dust gauges that
exceeded the annual average criteria for insoluble
solids of 4 g/m 2 /month on privately owned land (see
Figure 3.11). On two occasions where the monthly
result exceeded the 4g/m 2 /month criteria at D24 and
D25. The monthly result exceeded the 4g/m 2 /month
criteria at D24 for the October 2011 exposure
period, however the sample was deemed
contaminated. The monthly result exceeded the
4g/m 2 /month criteria at D25 for the March 2012
exposure period. The slightly elevated monthly
result may have been influenced from south to
south east winds during March 2012.
Dust gauges D01 and D07 exceeded the average
criteria of 4 g/m 2 /month, however these dust gauges
are situated on WCPL owned land and therefore the
annual average criteria of 4 g/m 2 /month does not
apply. D01 is located near an internal unsealed
road, used regularly during the reporting period.
D01 was also located in close proximity to a number
of major construction works including the
Homestead Backfill Project. D07 is located near an
internal unsealed road, used regularly during the
reporting period.
D14 was located directly west of the advancing
open cut and within the footprint of the disturbance
area. After the July 2011 exposure period, D14 was
removed to allow land preparation activities to
continue in accordance with the open cut mining
operations plan. The removal of D14 has brought
the total number of dust gauges in the dust
monitoring network to 15.
Table 3.6 Dust Recent Annual Averages
(Insoluble Solids)
2009-2010
Annual Ave.
g/m 2 /moth
2010-2011
Annual Ave.
g/m 2 /moth
2011-2012
Annual Ave.
g/m 2 /moth
D01 10.4 3.6 18.1
D03 2.8 3.0 2.4
D07 5.2 6.2 4.6
D09 2.7 4.4 3.7
D11 3.3 1.8 2.2
D12 4.6 3.8 3.0
D14* 8.5 9.3 -
D17 1.8 1.3 1.3
D19 3.3 2.6 2.9
D20 1.9 1.4 1.4
D21 1.5 1.1 1.4
D22 1.6 1.2 1.4
D23 3.7 2.1 2.1
D24 1.6 1.6 1.1
D25 2.3 1.7 2.2
D26 1.8 1.3 1.3
Note: Bold indicates dust gauges at privately owned residences.
*D14 was removed from the dust monitoring program during the
reporting period after July 2011 due to open cut activities, hence no
annual average.
7 Deposited dust is assed as insoluble solids as defined by
Standards Australia, 1991, AS 3580.10.1-1991: Methods for
Sampling and Analysis of Ambient Air
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