Results of SO{sub 2}, NO{sub x}, and CO monitoring at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Abstract

This report presents the results of ambient air monitoring of carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO{sub 2}), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO{sub 2}), and total oxides of nitrogen (NO{sub x}) performed during the final weeks of the 1992-1993 austral summer in the vicinity of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Commercially available, high sensitivity ambient air gas analyzers were used to continuously measure gas concentrations at two locations over a two and a three week time period respectively. Sampling site selection, sampling procedures and quality assurance procedures used for this effort were consistent with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for local ambient air quality networks. CO, SO{sub 2}, and NO{sub 2} concentrations measured were below the associated U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Carbon monoxide levels measured at both locations were near or below the instrument detection limit of 0.1 part per million (ppm). Hourly average SO{sub 2} concentrations ranged from below the detection limit of 1 part per billion (ppb) to a single maximum hourly average value of 60 ppb. Hourly average NO{sub 2} concentrations ranged from below the detection limit of 1 ppb to a single maximum hourly average value of 26 ppb. The impact on local air quality of ships docked at an ice pier was observed and quantified. The initial baseline effort demonstrated that site selection and sampling equipment performance were satisfactory, and provided useful data for assessing the impact of McMurdo operations on the local ambient air quality.