LICA enhances our understanding of air quality, its impact on environmental health, and its importance for our overall well-being through the operation of a comprehensive network of air quality monitoring stations. Our regional air monitoring program employs a variety of methods to monitor ambient air quality. These methods include instruments that continuously sample and analyze the air, as well as systems requiring laboratory analysis of air samples or filters. The LICA airshed monitoring network utilizes a variety of methods to meet diverse monitoring needs. Continuous Monitoring plays a crucial role in gathering real-time data. Time-Integrated Monitoring, provides detailed insights into the composition of hydrocarbons and particulate matter in the air, facilitating the tracking of long-term environmental trends. Passive Monitoring, in contrast, offers a low-maintenance and cost-effective solution for observing trends across time and space.
Continuous Monitoring
Continuous Monitoring stations provide near real-time readings of air pollutants using advanced technology. They detect various pollutants including hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide, oxides of nitrogen, ozone, and more, along with meteorological data. These stations can measure pollutants as frequently as every minute, though hourly reporting is standard. This monitoring is used to calculate the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and to assess public health impacts.
Time-Integrated Monitoring
Time-Integrated Monitoring is used for detailed air pollutant analysis, collecting samples over periods from 1 to 24 hours. These samples are analyzed in a laboratory to determine pollutant concentrations. In our network, this method is used to identify the composition of particulate matter and hydrocarbon species, providing insights into air quality over time.
Passive Monitoring
Passive Monitoring named for its diffusion-based air sampling method, captures pollutants that naturally move across a barrier to a reactive media-coated surface. These collected samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. Typically used for a month-long period, this approach yields monthly averages of pollutant levels, offering valuable insights into long-term air quality trends. This technique is particularly advantageous in rural and remote locations due to its independence from electricity.