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What does the indicator show?
Annual trends in ozone have increased at many Alberta stations since 1990 (by 3 to 29%), with the largest increase occurring at Calgary Central. Statistically significant increasing trends are found at Calgary Central (29%), Calgary East (17%) and Red Deer (12%). Decreasing trends in annual ozone are found in Fort McMurray (15 to 19%), the Fort Saskatchewan area (3 to 12%), west central Alberta (8 and 12% at Violet Grove and Carrot Creek stations, respectively) and at the Syncrude station (14%). The only statistically significant decreasing trend is that at the Violet Grove station. Higher ozone concentrations are found in the rural areas of west-central Alberta. In 2007, the highest annual average was 0.032 ppm at the Caroline station, southwest of Red Deer. This, however, is the lowest annual average since monitoring began at this station in 2001.
In Alberta, ozone concentrations are generally lower in cities and towns than in rural
areas. This is due to the destruction of ozone by nitric oxide, which is emitted by vehicles.
Higher concentrations in
rural areas can result from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds being transported
from upwind urban or industrial areas. Higher rural concentrations can also be caused by
natural ozone being transported to ground-level from the upper atmosphere or from natural volatile organic compounds emitted from vegetation.
Trends in peak concentrations and exceedances of maximum desirable levels are also available.
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Why is this indicator important?
Ground-level ozone is a component of photochemical smog. It can be harmful to human health
and vegetation. It also has the ability to degrade synthetic materials.
Poor or Very Poor air quality episodes (AENV's Air Quality Index)
can occur when ozone forms during periods of summertime smog. In hot, sunny weather, smog can
form through complex chemical reactions involving pollutants emitted by automobiles and industry.
This type of smog has a light brown colour and can reduce visibility. It is called photochemical
smog.
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What actions are being taken?
In June of 2000, the federal, provincial and territorial governments, except Quebec,
signed the Canada-Wide Standards (CWS) for Particulate Matter (PM) and Ozone . These standards
are important steps towards minimizing the risks of these pollutants to humans and the
environment. These standards commit government to significantly reducing ground-level ozone
and particulate matter by 2010.
Built into the CWS are provisions for "Keeping Clean Areas Clean and Continuous Improvement".
To ensure that these provisions were met, the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA) developed a
management framework entitled the Particulate Matter and Ozone Management Framework. Alberta Environment has taken the right step in managing particulate matter and ozone in the province before the Canada-wide Standards are exceeded. The CASA Framework assures that levels are monitored and managed before they approach the Standards. Following the 2001 to 2003 Particulate Matter and Ozone assessment, stakeholders have begun developing management plans for ozone in the Edmonton and Calgary areas, the West Central airshed, the Parkland airshed and the Fort Saskatchewan area airshed. More information on the management plans as well as recent particulate matter and ozone assessments is available on Alberta Environment’s Particulate Matter and Ozone Management website.
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