Indicator 2.12 - Dust Pollution
This indicator applies only to Landsvirkjun's project.
Dust from Hálslón Reservoir is a direct project effect that will be monitored in this initiative. However, it could prove difficult to distinguish dust from the reservoir from dust originating from other sources, unrelated to the project.
Performance
In the period since measurements started, there have been instances of gales with south and west winds, so baseline measurements should be indicative of what to expect in the average year. Information on measurements for the past few years can be found in the annual reports under "More."
This table shows what is considered normal for air particulate content:
| Condition | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Good | < 5 g/m2 |
| Acceptable | 5-10 g/m2 |
| Unacceptable | > 10 g/m2 |
The outcome of particuale counts in the summer of 2011 show that the content was always under the minimum acceptable level, that is, < 5g/m2.
OUTCOMES IN 2011
Graph 1: Outcome of measurements of particulates (g/m2) in stations in Fljótsdalshérad community (St. 1, 3, 4 and 5) and in the area east of Hálslón (St. 6, 7, 10, 18, 19) in the summer of 2011. Click on the photo below to see a larger version.
Graph 2: Outcome of measurements of particulates (g/m2) in stations north (norðan við) and west (vestan við) of Hálslón and in Brúaröræfi in the summer of 2011. Click on the photo below to see a larger version.
Table 1: This table shows the outcome of measurements of particulates (g/m2) in all of the stations above in 2011. Click on the photo below to see a larger version.
Graph 3:
Outcome of measurements of particulates (g/m2) in stations in Fljótsdalshérad community (St. 1, 3, 4 and 5) and in the area east of Hálslón (St. 6, 7, 10, 18, 19) in the summer of 2010. Click on the photo below to see a larger version.
Graph 4: Outcome of measurements of particulates (g/m2) in stations north (norðan við) and west (vestan við) of Hálslón and in Brúaröræfi in the summer of 2010. Click on the photo below to see a larger version
Table 2: This table shows the outcome of measurements of particulates (g/m2) in all of the stations above in 2010. Click on the photo below to see a larger version.
OLDER OUTCOMES
The following graphs show outcome in July, August and September of 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Graph 5. Particulates ((g/m2) in monitoring stations in July 2005, 2006, and June/July 2007, 2008. Click on the graph to see a larger version in a new window.
Particulates (g/m2) in monitoring stations in August 2005, 2006, and July/August 2007, 2008. Click on the graph to see a larger version in a new window.
Graph 7. Particulates (g/m2) in monitoring stations in September 2005, 2006, and August/September 2007, 2008. Click on the graph below to see a larger version in a new window.
According to the above information, particulates have only in one instance (Mýnes, in graph 5) gonebeyond the limit of 10 g/m2 and that issue could be traced to a cross-country race in Mýnesgrús, and perhaps some mining in nearby sand mines. A high count in Arnardalur in September 2007 (see Graph 7) was related to suspended material in the air, fine grains from Jökulsá in Fjöllum. In most instances, particles count has been below 5 g/m2 a month.
Metric
Metrics: What is measured?
a. Average monthly concentration of air particulates measured at designated sample locations at Halslon and Fljótsdalsherad. There are a total of 18 monitoring stations (click here to see a map). The measuring unit is the concentration of particulates (g/m2) per month. Furthermore, measurements from nearby meteorological stations on wind strength and wind direction are used to get a focused view on the origin of the particulates. (Project effect: direct).
Targets
a. Dust will not increase over time in Fljótsdalshérad.
Monitoring Protocol
a. Measurements will be conducted according to a method developed in cooperation with experts at the Environment Agency of Iceland. Measurements began before the operation of Fljótsdalur Power Station started in order to establish some baseline data. Particulate counters are set up every spring. In the highlands, this is done as soon as the snow thaws and the area is accessible, and generally one month earlier in the lowlands. Data is gathered every month over the summer and until the first snow in the fall.
Today there are 18 stations:
- In lowlands 4 gauges – Strönd, Hólmatunga, Hvanná river andBrú
- East of Hálslón 5 gauges – Búrfellstögl, SV Sandfells, í Lindum, Kofaöldu and Saudá river
- North of Hálslón 3 gauges – Hafrahvömmum, Hallarfjall and Smjörtungur
- West of Hálslón 3 gauges – two gauges in Saudárdalur valley and one west of the valley
- Brúaröræfi 3 gauges– Fagridalur, Arnardalur and Breiðastykki
Landsvirkjun has made plans to react to high particulate counts from Hálslón Reservoir, please see Indicator 2.29: Blowing sand by Hálslón Reservoir.
Rationale for Indicator Selection
Dust from Halslon Reservoir is a direct project effect that will be monitored in this initiative. However, it could prove difficult to distinguish dust from the reservoir from dust originating from other sources, unrelated to the project. During dry windy days dust from the highland areas north of Vatnajökul Glacier is carried into the atmosphere and may in some cases impair visibility in the lowlands in north eastern Iceland.
Every year, sediment load from Jökulsá in Dal, which was earlier carried to the sea, settles as a thin layer of silt on the drawdown areas of Hálslón Reservoir. In May, the water level is at its lowest in Hálslón but in June it starts rising, so in the beginning of August, the reservoir is full. The water level of Hálslón fluctuates in the average year for about 45 metres, but in the dryest years the fluctuation can be up to 65 metres.
The silt will for the first decades settle in the reservoir by the glacier roots. During the summer when the reservoir level is low the silt may be eroded by strong dry winds from the south or southwest and thus increase the amount of suspended material in the air. The finest grained fraction of the natural soil in the drawdown areas may also contribute. A layer of mist will then be carried to the northeast over the moors and down into populated areas.
When unobstructed, Jökulsá á Dal carries its suspended sediment load to the ocean leaving some in dry flood channel in the lowlands. Dust originating from these area will no longer be present.
Baseline
During strong dry winds from south and southwest dust from the highlands north of the Vatnajökull Glacier is carried north and northeast across the highland plateau and down the lowlands. Under these conditions and during low flow in the Jökulsá á Dal fine grained material from dry the river channels and river banks in the lowlands contributes to the amount of suspended material in the air.
No special measurements had been made before baseline data was collected, but the baseline condition was assessed by measuring particulates in the air near Hálslón and by Jökulsá river in Dal, up to the time when the effects from the Kárahnjúkar projects started to show.
Act No. 817/2002 on air quality limits for particulates states that the concentration of particulates that are not water soluble must no exceed 10 g/m² per month of collection. The definition for particulates is dust that settles by itself on a humid surface (Act No. 817/2002). Particulate count between 5 and 10 g/m² in a 30-day period is considered acceptable, and if it is less than 5 g/m², that is considered good.
The graphs below show particulate counts in a few measuring stations in 2006. To see the location of the stations, click here.
Additional Resources
Karahnjukavirkjun. Measurement of air particulates at Halslon and Fljotsdalsherad. Report 2005 (pdf)
