Air monitoring at the boundary of the Sanitary Protection Zone

Along with the continuous monitoring of air quality run by the automatic EMS at the boundary of the KOGCF SPZ the accredited Contractor laboratory conducts air sampling made per 8 compass points (rhumbs). Sampling at the SPZ border is performed daily at the route monitoring stations¹ with the following frequency:

• at the sampling points of N, E, S, W - 4 times per day;
• at the sampling points of NE, SE, SW, NW - 1 time per day.

In 2023, at the route monitoring stations over 44 thousand samples of air were taken and analysed by the laboratory. The samples are analyzed for the content of the same components measured at the EMSs: hydrogen sulphide (H₂S); sulphur dioxide (SO₂); nitrogen dioxide (NO₂); carbon monoxide (CO). Additionally, air samples are analyzed for methane (СН₄) and methylmercaptan (СH₃SH) content.

In 2023, according to the results of air monitoring at eight route monitoring stations at the Karachaganak Field SPZ no exceedance of maximum permissible concentration of the monitored components was recorded.

Average concentrations of the monitored air components at the SPZ boundary in 2023 are given in the table below. The column ‘Actual annual average concentration’ shows the minimum and maximum values of average concentrations of the controlled air components per eight points.

Annual average concentrations of the monitored air components recorded at route monitoring stations at the SPZ boundary in 2023

 

1A route monitoring station is used for regular air sampling by observing with portable equipment in fixed locations.

 

2the determined approximate safe level of impact. MPC for methane is not determined.