ALTERNATE METHOD TO COMBINE MONITORED AND PREDICTED CONCENTRATIONS IN DISPERSION MODELING DEMONSTRATIONS

ALTERNATE METHOD TO COMBINE
MONITORED AND PREDICTED
CONCENTRATIONS IN DISPERSION
MODELING DEMONSTRATIONS
MPCA Air Quality Dispersion Modeling Guidance:
Modeling Practice & Experience Information Session
December 18, 2013

Sergio A. Guerra - Wenck Associates, Inc.

Roadmap of Presentation
• What is background?
• How is background selected?
• How can we select a reasonable background value

without compromising the protection of the NAAQS?

Challenge of new short-term NAAQS

Probabilistic Ambient Standards
Appendix W: 9.1.2 Studies of Model Accuracy
a.
A number of studies have been conducted to examine model accuracy,
particularly with respect to the reliability of short-term concentrations required
for ambient standard and increment evaluations. The results of these studies
are not surprising. Basically, they confirm what expert atmospheric scientists
have said for some time: (1) Models are more reliable for estimating longer
time-averaged concentrations than for estimating short-term
concentrations at specific locations; and (2) the models are reasonably
reliable in estimating the magnitude of highest concentrations occurring
sometime, somewhere within an area. For example, errors in highest
estimated concentrations of ± 10 to 40 percent are found to be typical, i.e.,
certainly well within the often quoted factor-of-two accuracy that has long been
recognized for these models. However, estimates of concentrations that occur
at a specific time and site, are poorly correlated with actually observed
concentrations and are much less reliable.

•
•

Bowne, N.E. and R.J. Londergan, 1983. Overview, Results, and Conclusions for the EPRI Plume Model Validation and
Development Project: Plains Site. EPRI EA–3074. Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA.
Moore, G.E., T.E. Stoeckenius and D.A. Stewart, 1982. A Survey of Statistical Measures
of Model Performance and Accuracy for Several Air Quality Models. Publication No.
EPA–450/4–83–001. Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Normal Distribution

http://www.agilegeoscience.com

Definition of Background Concentration
According to Appendix W background concentrations are defined as follows:
8.2 Background Concentrations
8.2.1 Discussion
a. Background concentrations are an essential part of the total air quality concentration to be
considered in determining source impacts. Background air quality includes pollutant
concentrations due to: (1) Natural sources; (2) nearby sources other than the one(s)
currently under consideration; and (3) unidentified sources.
8.2.2 Recommendations (Isolated Single Source)
b. Use air quality data collected in the vicinity of the source to determine the background
concentration for the averaging times of concern. Determine the mean background
concentration at each monitor by excluding values when the source in question is
impacting the monitor. The mean annual background is the average of the annual
concentrations so determined at each monitor. For shorter averaging periods, the
meteorological conditions accompanying the concentrations of concern should be identified.
Concentrations for meteorological conditions of concern, at monitors not impacted by the
source in question, should be averaged for each separate averaging time to determine the
average background value. Monitoring sites inside a 90° sector downwind of the source may
be used to determine the area of impact. (Appendix W, emphasis added)

•

U.S. EPA. (2005). “Guideline on Air Quality Models.” 40 CFR Part 51 Appendix W.

Example Tracer (SF6) Array

Probability analyses of combining background concentrations with model-predicted concentrations
Douglas R. Murray, Michael B. Newman
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association
Vol. 64, Iss. 3, 2014

Kincaid Power Station and 28 SO2 Monitors

Vol. 64, Iss. 3, 2014

SO2 Concentrations Paired in Time & Space

Vol. 64, Iss. 3, 2014

SO2 Concentrations Paired in Time Only

Vol. 64, Iss. 3, 2014

Summary of Tracer and SO2 Observed
Outside 90° Downwind Sector

Vol. 64, Iss. 3, 2014

Sitting of Ambient Monitors
According to the Ambient Monitoring Guidelines for Prevention of
Significant Deterioration (PSD):
The existing monitoring data should be representative of three
types of area:
1) The location(s) of maximum concentration increase from
the proposed source or modification;
2) The location(s) of the maximum air pollutant
concentration from existing sources; and
3) The location(s) of the maximum impact area, i.e., where
the maximum pollutant concentration would hypothetically
occur based on the combined effect of existing sources and the
proposed source or modification. (EPA, 1987)
U.S. EPA. (1987). “Ambient Monitoring Guidelines for Prevention of Significant
Deterioration (PSD).”EPA‐450/4‐87‐007, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Current Approach
• For 1-hr NO2 and 24-hour PM2.5*
• Combine the 98th predicted concentration (from AERMOD) with the
98th percentile monitored concentration (from ambinet monitor)
• For 1-hour SO2
• Combine the 99th percentile concentration (from AERMOD) with the
99th percentile monitored concentration (from ambinet monitor)

Hit it Big!!! Example
• You have 2 chances out of 100 to win the Powerball. Or

you have 98 chances out of a 100 of not winning the
power ball.
• You have 2 chances out of 100 to win the Mega Millions.
Or you have 98 chances out of a 100 of not winning the
Mega Millions.
• What are the chances of winning both the Powerball and
the Mega Millions?

Marginal Probability
P(PB ∩ Mega) = P(PB) * P(Mega)
Where:
P(PB ∩ Mega)= the marginal probability of winning the
PowerBall and at the same time winning the
Mega.
P(PB) =
the marginal probability of winning the
Powerball (98th percentile).
P(Mega) =
the marginal probability of winning the
Mega (98th percentile).

Probability of Winning both Lottos
P(PB ∩ Mega) = P(PB) * P(Mega)
= (1-0.98) * (1-0.98)
= (0.02) * (0.02) = (1/50) * (1/50)
= 0.0004 = 1 / 2,500
= 99.96th percentile of the combined
distribution

Combining 98th percentile Pre and Bkg
(1-hr NO2 and 24-hr PM2.5)
P(Pre ∩ Bkg) = P(Pre) * P(Bkg)
= (1-0.98) * (1-0.98)
= (0.02) * (0.02)
= 0.0004 = 1 / 2,500
Equivalent to one exceedance every 6.8 years!
distribution

Combining 99th percentile Pre and Bkg
(1-hr SO2)
= (1-0.99) * (1-0.99)
= (0.01) * (0.01)
= 0.0001 = 1 / 10,000
Equivalent to one exceedance every 27 years!
distribution

Proposed Approach to Combine Modeled
and Monitored Concentrations
• Combining the 98th (or 99th for 1-hr SO2) % monitored

concentration with the 98th % predicted concentration is
too conservative.
• A more reasonable approach is to use a monitored value
closer to the main distribution (i.e., the median).

Evaluation of the SO2 and NOX offset ratio method to account for secondary PM2.5 formation
Sergio A. Guerra, Shannon R. Olsen, Jared J. Anderson
Vol. 64, Iss. 3, 2014

Combining 98th Pre and 50th Bkg
= (1-0.98) * (1-0.50)
= (0.02) * (0.50)
= 0.01 = 1 / 100
= 99th percentile of the combined
distribution
Vol. 64, Iss. 3, 2014

Combining 99th Pre and 50th Bkg
= (1-0.99) * (1-0.50)
= (0.01) * (0.50)
= 0.005 = 1 / 200
distribution
Vol. 64, Iss. 3, 2014

Evaluation
• Representativeness
• Screen out any exceptional events, equipment

errors/malfunction
• Use the highest 3-year data set from the latest 5 year
period

Positively Skewed Distribution

http://www.agilegeoscience.com

24-hr PM2.5 observations at Shakopee
2008-2010

Vol. 64, Iss. 3, 2014

1-hr NO2 observations at IGH
2008-2010.

Exceptional Events

http://blogs.mprnews.org/updraft/2012/06/co_smoke_plume_now_visible_abo/

24-hr PM2.5 Santa Fe, NM Airport

Background Concentration and Methods to Establish Background Concentrations in Modeling.
Presented at the Guideline on Air Quality Models: The Path Forward. Raleigh, NC, 2013.
Bruce Nicholson

Conclusion
• Most of the ambient monitors available are not

representative of regional background
• Combining the 98th % monitored value with the 98th %
predicted value is overly conservative
• Use of 50th % monitiored concentration is statistically
conservative when pairing it with the 98th (or 99th) %
predicted concentration
• Method is simple and statistically sound
• Method is protective of the NAAQS while providing a
reasonable level of conservatism

QUESTIONS…

Sergio A. Guerra, PhD
Environmental Engineer
Phone: (952) 837-3340
sguerra@wenck.com

ALTERNATE METHOD TO COMBINE MONITORED AND PREDICTED CONCENTRATIONS IN DISPERSION MODELING DEMONSTRATIONS

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ALTERNATE METHOD TO COMBINE MONITORED AND PREDICTED CONCENTRATIONS IN DISPERSION MODELING DEMONSTRATIONS