Expert: Dave Russell - 9/25/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear Dave,
I want to know the pollutant parameters that should be monitored during the Coal Handling Activity at the ports. I know that the regulatory agency in the particular area will specify which parameters should be monitored, but i want to know it from an experts perspective. Kindly reply.

ANSWER: Best guesses include the following:
Direct dust emissions from various sources due to handling-- see AP 42 for information.
Acidity in the water runoff as well as suspended solids, sulfates in the rainfall, maybe also metals such as cadmium and zinc in the runoff. You will probably have to instrument and monitor flows during precipitation and other events.
Depending upon the location, you may also have to come up with some fugitive emission estimates for the gravel or unpaved roads if there are any.
Other parameters might include estimates for the type and kind of fuel burned in ship boilers as that will impact the overall air quality near the port.  
Be prepared to have a booming plan for the ship in port so that if anything spills, you can clean up the oils and keep them contained.
Dave


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Dave,
Currently the AIR parameters monitored at a coal handling area are Sulfur Dioxide, Oxides of Nitrogen, Particulate Matter 2.5 and 10 and Ozone. Can you suggest any more AIR parameter's specifically and the logic behind monitoring them?

Answer
If they are hitting you with PM 2.5 and PM 10, plus the other things you mentioned, that's pretty much the list.  The one other possibility might be VOC's which cause ozone.  You might expect VOC limits on either your operating equipment or on the fuels in use by the ships during their stay in port for loading. I might expect that the ships might not be allowed to use No 6 fuel (if they do use it), but might be expected to have standby power available dockside  which burns lighter fuels or natural gas.
Good Luck and hope that helps.
I'm out of ideas about additional air parameters unless you have some specific chemical treatments for the coal to remove Sulfur.