xvEPA
United States
Environmental Prol'
Agency
Environmental Monitoring
and Support Laboratory
PO Box 15027
Las Vegas NV 89114
EPA-600 4-78 055
September 1978
Research and Development
Environmental
Monitoring Series
Ground-Based Sulfur
Dioxide Measurements
Within a Copper
Smelter Plume-
Anaconda, Montana
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into nine series. These nine broad categories
were established to facilitate further development and application of environmental
technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously planned to foster
technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields. The nine series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
6. Scientific and Technical Assessment Reports (STAR)
7. Interagency Energy-Environment Research and Development
8. "Special" Reports
9. Miscellaneous Reports
This report has been assigned to the ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING series.This series
describes research conducted to develop new or improved methods and instrumentation
for the identification and quantification of environmental pollutants at the lowest
conceivably significant concentrations. It also includes studies todetermine the ambient
concentrations of pollutants in the environment and/or the variance of pollutants as a
function of time or meteorological factors.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information
Service. Springfield, Virginia 22161
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EPA-600/4-78-055
September 1978
GROUND-BASED SULFUR DIOXIDE
MEASUREMENTS WITHIN A COPPER SMELTER
PLUME - ANACONDA, MONTANA
by
J. Jeffrey van Ee
Monitoring Operations Division
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratory, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved
for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
ii
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FOREWORD
Protection of the environment requires effective regulatory actions
which are based on sound technical and scientific information. This
information must include the quantitative description and linking of
pollutant sources, transport mechanisms, interactions, and resulting
effects on man and his environment. Because of the complexities involved,
assessment of specific pollutants in the environment requires a total
systems approach which transcends the media of air, water, and land.
The Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory-Las Vegas contributes
to the formation and enhancement of a sound monitoring data base for
exposure assessment through programs designed to:
• develop and optimize systems and strategies for monitoring
pollutants and their impact on the environment
• demonstrate new monitoring systems and technologies by applying
them to fulfill special monitoring needs of the Agency's
operating programs
This report presents part of the results of an air monitoring study
in Anaconda, Montana that was designed to provide information on smelter
plume dispersion in the remote areas around the Anaconda Company copper
smelter. Using a specially developed sulfur dioxide instrument package
deployed by a helicopter, ground-level sulfur dioxide measurements were
made within the smelter plume. These data can be used in conjunction
with other data to develop mathematical plume dispersion models.
Further information, not provided in this report, may be obtained from
the Monitoring Operations Division of the Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratory.
George B. Morgan
Director
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Las Vegas, Nevada
111
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PREFACE
At the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII,
the Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory - Las Vegas conducted a
study of The Anaconda Company's copper smelter in Anaconda, Montana, from
October 1976 to March 1977. The purpose of the study was to define plume
parameters for use in a mathematical plume dispersion model.
Three distinct data sets were identified as being essential for the
refinement of the plume dispersion model. Double theodolite pibal measure-
ments were made throughout the study period to obtain initial wind profiles in
the vicinity of the plant. Airborne in-plume measurements of sulfur dioxide
(S02) and particulates (b ) were obtained using an instrumented H-34
helicopter. These measurements were used to define the plume dispersion
characteristics. (Data from these two studies will be released by the Environ-
mental Monitoring and Support Laboratory in a separate report.) A mobile
sulfur dioxide instrument was used to obtain ground-level readings within the
plume in order to better define the impact of the plume on the surface. The
results from the mobile S02 instrument study are contained in this report.
iv
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CONTENTS
Foreword iii
Preface iv
Figures vi
Abbreviations, Symbols and Conversions viii
1. Introduction 1
2. Summary 2
3. General Procedures 3
4. Chronology 4
5. Results and Discussion 28
6. References 31
Appendices
A. Individual Site Summaries 32
B. Description of the Anaconda Smelter 61
C. Description of the Local Topography and
Meteorology 62
D. Description of the Mobile Sulfur Dioxide Instrument
Package 63
E. Calibration Procedures and Equipment 64
F. Quality Assurance Procedures and Standards 65
G. Data Analysis 66
v
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FIGURES
Number Page
1 Air Monitoring Site Locations, Anaconda, Montana 11
2 Mobile Sulfur Dioxide Monitor Sampling Sites
October 6, 1976 - February 25, 1977 12
3 The Huey Helicopter Slings the Mobile Sulfur Dioxide
Instrument Package to a Remote Site 13
4 Site 16, January 1, 1977, Approximately 1300 14
5 The Anaconda Plume Impacting the Mill Creek Valley Area
Early in the Morning, November 10, 1976 15
6 An Aerial View of the Mill Creek Valley in the Early
Morning Hours of November, 10, 1976 16
7 Site 8, November 12, 1976 at Approximately 0900 17
8 H-34 Helicopter on a Low-Level Pass Over Site 8,
November 12, 1976, 0900 18
9 The Anaconda Stack (Lower Right) and the Plume Extending
Into the Mill Creek Valley. December 30, 1976, 0920 ... 19
10 Site 15, December 30, 1976, 1135 20
11 The Anaconda Plume "Slides" Into the Mill Creek Valley
Area. 1600, November 14, 1976 21
12 The Anaconda Plume "Slides" Into the Mill Creek Valley
Area. 1614, December 29, 1976 22
13 The Anaconda Plume "Slides" Into the Mill Creek Valley
Area. 1435, January 1, 1977 23
14 The Anaconda Plume "Slides" Into the Mill Creek Valley
Area. January 8, 1977, 1558 24
15 The Anaconda Plume Begins to Shift Towards the Mill
Creek Valley at 1730, February 5, 1977 25
VI
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FIGURES (Continued)
Number Page
16 1755, February 5, 1977 26
17 1815, February 5, 1977 27
vii
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ABBREVIATIONS
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, SYMBOLS AND CONVERSIONS
°F
hr
°K
kg
km
Ibs
1pm
m
mi
mm
mph
Pg/m3
ppm
s
AC
AGL
DC
Hg
S02
— degrees Celsius
— degrees Fahrenheit
— hour
— degrees Kelvin
— kilogram
— kilometer
— pounds
— liters per minute
— meter
— miles
— millimeters
— miles per hour
— micrograms per cubic meter
— parts per million
— second
— alternating current
— above ground level
— direct current
— mercury
— sulfur dioxide
SYMBOLS
<
<
— greater than
— approximately
— less than
— less than or equal to
CONVERSIONS
°c
°F
°K
1 Ib =
1m
1 mph =
5/9 °F 32
9/5 °C + 32
°C + 273.16
0.45 kg
3.28 feet 1
.45 m/s
mi
1.6 km
Vlll
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INTRODUCTION
The State of Montana and The Anaconda Company have been monitoring air
quality in the locale of the Anaconda copper smelter for years using a
network of sulfur dioxide monitors. Violations of the primary and secondary
sulfur dioxide (S02) standards have been documented by both monitoring
networks. The amount of control required has been estimated using a
mathematical dispersion model and the data from the two monitoring networks,
Although data from the networks is useful in assessing the impact of the
smelter operation for a particular site, the magnitude and frequency of
violations of the air quality standards projected for areas which have no
monitoring stations have been sharply debated. Of major concern is the
mountainous area south and west of the smelter (Figure 1). The probability
that the plume will strike the ground in the vicinity of the smelter is
highest in these areas because of the high ground elevations relative to
the top of the stack. Thus, the most significant violations of ambient air
quality standards have been predicted for the area south and west of the
smelter.
At the time of the study three monitoring sites were located to the
south of the smelter. One site is located on the Mill Creek valley floor
and the other two are located on "C" Hill (Figure 1). These sites are of
little value in assessing the impact of the plume in the area to the south
of the plant when the plume blows over, or around, the monitoring site.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratory-Las Vegas developed a mobile S02 instrument package
specifically for use in those areas not covered by the present monitoring
networks. The self-contained package was designed for rapid deployment by
helicopter to those areas where the plume could be seen impacting the
ground. Wind speed, direction, and temperature were also measured with the
package. Calibration of the S02 Instrument was performed at the site.
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SUMMARY
The instrumentation package was deployed seventeen times during the
four months of observing the plume. Violations of the Federal primary
and secondary S02 standards were recorded in the valley lying to the
northeast of the plant and in the mountainous terrain to the south of the
plant. The highest values were recorded near the Continental Divide to
the south of the plant.
The complex wind patterns in the area of the smelter made it quite
difficult to predict the behavior of the plume. On several occasions
the plume was observed to be gradually blown toward the ground, but by
the time it was possible to deploy the package, the plume was observed
blowing towards a different area. These instances, as well as those
times when it was impossible to deploy the package because of darkness
or bad weather, are briefly noted. In many instances, photographs were
taken to record the occurrence of the plume touching the ground.
Considering the limitations of a fixed station monitoring network,
the stochastic nature of the plume and the rugged terrain, the helicopter-
deployed instrument package proved to be useful in documenting ground-
level concentrations of sulfur dioxide in remote areas. Three violations
of both the Federal primary and secondary SOj standards were recorded.
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
The Anaconda smelter plume was observed, throughout the study, from
the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort 10.9 kilometers C6.8 miles) southeast of
the Anaconda stack. When the plume was observed hitting the ground,
particularly in those areas not covered by the existing monitoring
networks (Figure 1), an EPA Huey (UH1H) helicopter was called in from
Butte, Montana, to pick up the mobile S02 mentoring package located at
the motel. Typically, the helicopter arrived at the motel within 20 to 45
minutes after the telephone call. The package was sling-loaded (Figure 3)
to the area of interest. At the site, the package was quickly assembled
and calibrated prior to the collection of the ambient air data (Appendix E)
With the helicopter, it was possible to quickly place the package
in virtually any area around the smelter. Steep mountain slopes and
areas with dense forest cover were the only areas that were inaccessible
to the helicopter. Permission for placement of the package on private
and public lands was obtained prior to the commencement of the project.
Restricted visibility and turbulent weather were the only other limiting
factors governing the use of the helicopter to position the instrument
package. Fortunately, use of the helicopter was not restricted by snow
cover (Figure 4), since snowfall was unusually light during the study
period.
When the plume was no longer observed blowing towards the monitoring
site, the helicopter and crew returned to the site. After the package
had been calibrated and disassembled, the package was either carried to
another site, or returned to the motel. Data, from the portable weather
station, and the sulfur dioxide instrument, were reduced in the field to
the fullest practical extent and further analyzed after the completion
of the project (Appendix G). Custody- of the data was the responsibility
of the project officer.
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CHRONOLOGY
During the study, the plume was observed striking the ground on a
number of occasions. The dates of those occurrences are listed in
Tables 1 and 2. The mobile S02 monitor was used on 17 different occasions
(Figure 2) when it appeared to be practicable to obtain ground-level
plume impaction measurements. In many instances, particularly when it
was impossible to sample the plume impacting the Mill Creek valley area,
photographs were taken to document the ground impaction episode. Figures 5
to 17 depict some of the more interesting episodes which are briefly
described in Tables 1 and 2.
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TABLE 1. OBSERVED INSTANCES OF THE ANACONDA PLUME IN THE MILL CREEK VALLEY
AREA, OCTOBER 12, 1976 - FEBRUARY 24, 1977
The plume was observed by the H-34 crew to be impacting
to the lee of the saddle between "C" Hill and Weather Hill.
Measurements were made at this time using the H-34.
October 14, 1976
October 17, 1976
October 21, 1976
November 10, 1976
November 11, 1976
November 12, 1976
The plume blew into the valley for much of the day.
A snowstorm reduced visibility to the point where it was
unsafe to deploy the mobile S02 instrument in the area.
The plume shifted into the valley at approximately
1630 hours and continued blowing into the area until
approximately 2200 hours. Not enough daylight remained
for the mobile S02 package to be deployed.
The plume was observed to be blowing into the Mill
Creek valley at 0700 hours. The mobile S02 sampler was
positioned at Site #5 (Figure 2). By approximately
1000 hours the plume had shifted off the site. By
1500 hours, the plume had lifted and shifted to the west
so that it was no longer hitting the ground.
Twelve passes were made [70-100 feet Above Ground
Level (AGL)] with the H-34 over the mobile S02 instrument
package as the plume shifted off Site #5.
The plume was observed by the H-34 crew to be hitting
the ground in the vicinity of Grassy Mountain. By the
time the Huey helicopter was available to position the
mobile sampler, the plume had shifted towards the west.
At 1430 hours the plume began to bend towards the
valley. By the "time the helicopter was in position to
move the mobile sampler, the plume had shifted back towards
the west. The box was positioned at Site #7 (Figure 2)
for the night. Examination of the data shows the plume
hitting that area during the night.
The plume was observed, by the H-34 crew, to be
hitting the ground at Site 8 (see map) early in the
morning. The box was moved from Site #7 to Site #8
where high SOz readings (13.1 ppm) were observed. At
the time measurements were being taken, the main part
of the plume had lifted and shifted to the west. Thus,
the high readings were obtained in a remnant of the
plume.
(Continued)
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TABLE 1 (Continued).
At 1145 hours the plume was observed impacting the top
of Grassy Mountain. Later, it lifted over the top of the
mountain.
November 14, 1976
At 1600 hours the plume was observed blowing over
the "C" Hill - Weather Hill saddle. Not enough daylight
remained to position the S02 instrument. A photograph
of the plume was taken. At 1717 hours the plume had
shifted back to an easterly direction.
November 18, 1976 - December 7, 1976
No observations were made during this time because
the Huey helicopter was down for maintenance. The H-34
portion of the project was inoperative during most of this
period.
December 17-26, 1976 Christmas break - no documented observations were made
during this period. The pibal group did report observing
the plume blowing into the Mill Creek valley during this
period.
December 29, 1976
December 30, 1976
At approximately 1600 hours the plume began to blow
over the saddle formed by "C" Hill and Weather Hill. At
approximately 1700 hours the plume began blowing back
towards the east. A photograph was taken to document
the phenomenon.
At approximately 1700 hours the Huey helicopter was
used to position the S02 instrument at Site 14 (Figure 2).
Remnants of the plume were observed at this time in Mill
Creek canyon. Some S02 was detected at this site a few
hours after sampling began. This coincides with the
observation (made from the Fairmont) that the plume was
blowing into the Mill Creek valley at 1930.
At 0730 hours the plume was observed blowing into the
Mill Creek valley. At 0900 hours the helicopter was used
to obtain pictures of the plume impact prior to calibrating
the S02 package at Site 14. By the time the instrument
had been calibrated, the plume had shifted towards the
west so that it was flowing over the saddle between "C"
Hill and Weather Hill. The S02 instrument was placed
at Site 15 and readings were taken for approximately
three hours. Readings no higher than 2 ppm were obtained
(Continued)
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TABLE 1 (Continued).
at this site. In an effort to get higher readings in the
plume, which appeared to be in a canyon to the east, the
package was moved to Site 16 (Figure 2) for the night.
December 31, 1976
January 1, 1977
January 7, 1977
January 8, 1977
January 11, 1977
January 31, 1977
February 5, 1977
Low clouds and snow prevented the Huey crew from
checking the operation of the S02 instrument. Occasionally,
throughout the day, the clouds broke and the plume was
observed blowing into the Mill Creek valley.
Clouds and light snow showers obscured the stack
during the early morning. By mid-day the clouds had
cleared to where the plume was observed blowing out over
the valley. The instrument package was retrieved at this
time.
Scattered snow showers were in the area throughout the
day. At approximately 1500 hours the clouds had cleared
to where the plume was observed blowing into the Mill
Creek valley - Willow Creek area. The plume continued
blowing in that direction until sometime during the
night. The EPA-Washington decision to ground the Huey,
due to an EPA H-34 helicopter crash, prevented the
helicopter crew from deploying the box.
At approximately 1600 hours the plume appeared to be
going over the "C" Hill - Weather Hill saddle into the
Mill Creek area. Photographs were taken to document
this condition which lasted for approximately 30 minutes.
The Huey helicopter operation was suspended until
the H-34 helicopter crash investigation was completed.
The Huey helicopter operation was resumed. At 1600
hours the plume began to enter the Mill Creek valley area
over the saddle to the south of the plant. Approximately
one hour later the plume began to blow towards the north-
east.
At 1730 hours small amounts of pollution from the
plume could be seen sliding into the Mill Creek valley area.
At 15 the plume was viewed heading over the area where
Site 16 had been located. The onset of darkness prevented
siting the S02 package and made it difficult to clearly
see where the plume was headed. By 2200 hours the plume
was clearly blowing towards the north.
(Continued)
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TABLE 1 (Continued).
February 8, 1977
Remnants of the plume were observed over the Site 16
area at daybreak. They appeared to be at a fairly high
elevation.
The plume was observed at 0730 hours to be rising
towards the North at a high elevation angle. The plume
was stable. Winds were light.
At approximately 1130 hours the plume was observed
blowing towards Deer Lodge and then back towards the
southwest. The plume was observed hitting Mount Haggin in
the Clear Creek area. Site 17 was chosen as a compromise.
The main portion of the plume appeared to be hitting the
ground in the lower portion of the draw; however, the
tree cover was heavy, and it was not possible to position
the box in the area.
Site 17 was chosen because it appeared as if some of
the pollution trapped in the draw would eventually be blown
up to the instrument. Also, the plume height appeared
to be rising as the day progressed, and it appeared
as though the light winds might blow the plume into
the site. By 1330 hours the winds had picked up from the
south to such an extent that the plume was being blown
strongly towards the north.
At approximately 2100 hours, the plume was observed
blowing over the town of Anaconda in the same pattern
observed from approximately 1000-1100 hours that morning.
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TABLE 2. OBSERVED INSTANCES OF THE ANACONDA PLUME IMPACTING THE GROUND
OUTSIDE OF THE MILL VALLEY AREA
October 26, 1976
October 29, 1976
November 1, 1976
November 5, 1976
November 15, 1976
The plume was observed hitting a ridge southeast of
the smelter in the afternoon. The portable S02 package
was positioned in this area (Site #1).
Downwash brought the plume down into the tailings
ponds. The H-34 "cross-sectioned" the plume in this
area. Two low-level passes were made (100 feet AGL)
along the road east of the tailings ponds adjacent to the
plant.
Downwash brought the plume into the tailings pond
area. The H-34 was unable to complete a cross section
of the plume before it shifted.
Downwash brought the plume to the ground 2 1/2 miles
southeast of the plant. Two cross sections were flown
in the area. One of the cross sections was developed
over the mobile SOa instrument that had been deployed at
Site #3.
Downwash brought the plume into the tailings pond
area northeast of the plant. A cross section was developed
over the mobile SOz instrument located at Site #10.
November 16-17, 1976 Downwash from the mountains southwest of the smelter
caused the plume to impact the ground between 1 1/2 and
4 miles northeast of the plant. Cross sections were flown
at various distances within the plume impaction area. The
mobile S02 package was located at Site #11 following the
report from the H-34 that the highest SOa values were
obtained in this area.
December 8, 1976
December 10, 1976
February 12, 1977
The plume touched ground approximately 2 miles
northeast of the stack. Two cross sections were developed.
Strong winds brought the plume down to the ground
near a power sub-station located to the east of the plant.
The mobile S02 package was located at Site #13.
The plume appeared to be hitting the mountains to the
east of the motel at approximately 1200 hours. (By the time
the helicopter arrived from Butte the plume had shifted
towards the northeast.) The hills in the vicinity
of the Butte VORTAC station (Figure 2) were no longer
(Continued)
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TABLE 2 (Continued).
in the plume path. Since a close observation of the plume
was not possible until approximately 1200 hours, it is
difficult to define the persistence of the plume in that
area.
February 10, 1977
Strong winds accompanying a Pacific front blew the
plume to the ground northeast of the plant. Blowing
dust and a shortage of personnel prevented placing the
package on the valley floor.
February 12-17, 1977 Emissions from the smelter were quite light during
this period since the electric furnace was shut down. The
plume was not observed hitting the mountainous areas during
this period (the areas of primary interest). Little interest
existed for placing the instrument package on the valley
floor with the present plant operating conditions even
though there appeared to be times when the plume may
have touched the ground.
February 18, 1977
February 20, 1977
February 22, 1977
Strong westerly to southwesterly winds existed throughout
the day. Periodically in the afternoon, the plume appeared
to be looping down to the ground east of the smelter
(in the vicinity of the Mount Haggin ranch). At 1610 hours
the plume was reported curving towards the southeast over
the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Measurements in the
vicinity of the resort indicated that the concentration
was approximately 0.3 ppm. By the time the instrument
package was ready to sample ambient air at the selected
site the winds had shifted and lightened.
Winds were from the southwest throughout the daylight
hours. Winds were light in the morning, and increased
during the afternoon. Emissions were light. During the
afternoon, the plume appeared to touch the ground
southeast of the smelter.
Cloudy skies and westerly winds were the rule for the
day. Occasionally, winds were from the southwest, or the
northwest. During the afternoon, the plume rise was zero.
Occasionally, puffs of smoke appeared to hit the ground to
the east of the smelter. Measurements with the mobile
S02 package confirmed the fact that puffs of the plume
were hitting the ground. The recorded S02 measurements did
not warrant setting up the box at a particular location.
10
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o
WEATHER
HILL
* ACTIVE STATE SITES
• ACTIVE ACC SITES
INACTIVE STATE/FEDERAL SITES
1 1/2 0
FIGURE 1. Air monitoring site locations, Anaconda Montana.
11
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FIGURE 2. Mobile sulfur dioxide monitor sampling sites. October 6, 1976 - February 25, 1977.
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FIGURE 3. The Huey helicopter slings the mobile sulfur dioxide instrument
package to a remote site.
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FIGURE 4. Site 16, January 1, 1977, approximately 130Q.
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FIGURE 5. The Anaconda plume impacting the
November 10, 1976.
Mill Creek valley area early in the mo,
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FIGURE 6. An aerial view of the Mill Creek valley in the early morning hours of
November 10, 1976.
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FIGURE 7. Site 8, November 12, 1976 at approximately 0900.
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FIGURE 8. H-34 helicopter on a low-level pass over site
November 12, 1976, 0900.
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FIGURE 9. The Anaconda stack (lower right) and the plume extending
into the Mill Creek valley. December 30, 76, I
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:
FIGURE 10. Site 15, December 30, 1976, 1135,
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!
FIGURE U. nda plume "slTdes" into the Mill Creek valley area.
1600, November 14, 1976.
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p*
FIGURE 12. The Anaconda plume "slides" Into the Mill Creek valley area.
1614, December 29, 1976.
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i •
I T
T
ThTXaccmda itne "slides" into the Mill Creek valley area. 1435, January 1, 977.
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I •
!
T
V - . ..-_ ^ -- " ' &«—»r
FIGURE 14. The Anaconda plume "slides" Into the Mill Creek valley area. January 8, 1977, 1558.
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i-o
n
Creek
at 1730' February 5'
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FIGURE 16. 1755, February 5, 1977.
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f-J
I
FIGURE 17. 1815, February 5, 1977.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The maximum S02 concentrations recorded at each of the 17 monitoring
sites (Figure 2) are listed in Table 3. (Peak concentrations of S02 as well
as hourly averages of wind speed, wind direction, temperature, and S02 for
each site are contained in Appendix A.) Three violations of the 3-hour
Federal secondary S02 standard (0.5 ppm) were recorded during the study.
Three violations of the 24-hour Federal primary S02 standard (0.14 ppm) were
also recorded during the study. The documented violations of the standards
are, in all probability, low because a truly representative measurement of the
maximum ground-level, plume-centerline S02 concentration (used in mathematical
dispersion models) was not possible for a number of reasons.
Although every effort was made to minimize the time required to react to
an observation of the plume touching the ground, it was virtually impossible
to obtain ground-level S02 measurements at the moment the plume first began to
impact the ground. The effect would be to reduce the reported average sulfur
dioxide concentration for the period of time an area was being impacted by the
plume.
Throughout the study, the mobile S02 package was located within the area
being impacted by the plume largely by reliance on subjective judgement.
Except for a few occasions when EPA's instrumented H-34 helicopter was flying
through the plume, the instrumentation was not available to accurately define
the area of maximum ground-level S02 concentration. Most of the time the
package was located in an area on the basis of a visual determination of the
plume centerline, or on the strength of the taste that is experienced when a
person is exposed to high concentrations of S02.
On several occasions, it was impossible to position the mobile S02
package within a desired area because a suitable landing site did not exist.
These occasions are noted in Appendix A (under individual site "Comments"
sections), but they are not reflected in Table 3. In this particular case,
there is little doubt that the reported concentrations are lower than the
actuaJ ground-level, plume-centerline concentrations.
Particular attention should be paid to the "Comments" sections contained
in Appendix A. Significant factors that may have (or did have) an impact on
the collected data are'described for each sample site.
28
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An example of the difficulty in quickly responding to somewhat unpredict-
able changes in the plume is illustrated in Figures 11-17. As a whole, the
photographs document what proved to be a frequent meteorological phenomena.
The photographs were taken on different days from the grounds of the
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. The photographs are all quite similar. In
each case, light winds had blown the plume to the northeast, or east during
the day. (Evidence of this can be seen in the photographs as a stable
plume layer extending from the upper right hand corner to the left center
of the photograph). At approximately 4:00 PM (approximately 1 hour before
sunset), on each separate occasion, lower level winds in the vicinity of
the smelter began to blow strongly towards the Mill Creek valley. (Small
stacks on the -smelter property and fugitive emissions were used to make
this observation). Often, for a period of 15 to 30 minutes the plume could
be seen blowing in two different directions. The plume would begin to
travel towards the Mill Creek valley as it left the stack; then, the plume
would begin to blow back towards the northeast, or east, at the higher
elevations.
Within 1/2 to 1 hour after the plume first began to shift, the plume
would be blown into the Mill Creek valley by strong winds with remnants of
the plume sliding into the valley. Unfortunately, the portable package was
never used to measure the resulting plume concentrations in the Mill Creek
valley because the phenomenon was unpredictable, and it usually occurred
late in the day when it became hazardous to use the helicopter in the
mountainous terrain. Thus, the only record of the phenomenon is a pictorial
one.
29
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TABLE 3. MAXIMUM SULFUR DIOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS RECORDED AT EACH SITE
Coordinates
Wind
Maximum Concentrations of S03
U>
O
Date of
Occurrence
10-26-76
11-05-76
11-06-76
11-10-76
11-11-76
11-11-76
11-12-76
11-12-76
11-15-76
11-16-76 to
11-17-76
11-17-76
12-8-76 to
12-9-76
12-9-76 to
12-10-76
12-29-76
13-30-76
12-30-76
12-30-76 to
12-31-76
02-08-77
Site
Number
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
10
11
11
12
13
14
14
15
16
17
Time Of
Occurrence
1500-1700
1000-1130
1237-1500
0900-1200
0600-0700
1700-2000
2300-0200
0900-1200
0900-1200
1000-0900
1100-1400
2300-0100
1200-0800
1800-2100
0500-0800
1145-1525
"V
1613-1545
1237-1300
Distance to
Stack
(miles)
2.2
2.5
1.6
4.8
5.2
6.8
6.8
6.0
1.9
3.6
3.6
2.3
1.9
6.6
6.6
6.6
5.0
6.4
Direction to
Stack
(degrees)
305
230
210
05
32
50
50
30
235
^220
^220
228
285
50
50
29
18
70
Speed Direction
(mph) (degrees)
20
13-17
(i)
6
3
2
2-6
1-4
(i)
3-17
16-20
20
(i)
2-4
4-6
7-10
0.5-7.0
3.3
305
150
(i)
340-360
115
30-45
35-45
35-45
(i)
135-195
165-175
200-240
(i)
0-120
30-75
345
255-25
255
Average
Instantaneous Max. 1-hr
(ppm) (ppm)
0.47
0.3
2.2
0.60
0.07
>5.0
>5.0
13.1
0.1
1.7
2.9
0.92
1.4
1.8
0.28
1.43
1.07
0.8
0
0
0
0
>1
>1
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.07
.8
.16
.01
.92
.16
.7
.55
.64
.03
.33
.96
.04
.76
.39
.53 (h)
Average
Max. 3-hr
(ppm)
0.02
0.3
0.06
>0.7
>0.8
1.8
0
0.5
0.39
0.02
0.26
0.44
0.02
0.42
0.24
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
NOTES: Wind speed and direction were measured at the monitoring site.
The metric system of units has not been used in this report since the data used in this report were not recorded in
metric units. (See page viii for list of conversions.)
a. 0.02 ppm 3-hour average computed from beginning of sampling (1530) to 1630; the 0.07 average (listed as a 1-hour
average) is actually a *5-hour average computed from 1530-1600.
b. Represents 2.4-hour period of record; other 0.6-hour SOa concentrations assumed to be zero.
c. Represents 2.8-hour period of record; other 0.2-hour SOa concentrations assumed to be zero.
d. Instrument off-scale (>5.0 ppm).
e. 24-hour average = 0.24 ppm, 11/12 0900 to 11/13 0900, assuming (S02) = 0 for 11/12 1500-11/13 0900.
f. 24-hour average = 0.24 ppm, 11/16 1000 to 11/17 1000.
g. 24-hour average = 0.21 ppm.
h. Average reading is not an hourly average. The average is for the period 1237-1300.
i. Wind information is not available because of problems with the meteorological sensor package.
-------
REFERENCES
Johnson, F. G., N. J. Cimon, and D. T. Mage, "Airborne Measurements of a
Copper Smelter Plume in Montana, Anaconda Copper Company, Anaconda,
Montana, October 1-December 9, 1976," U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Las Vegas,
Nevada, 1978.
O'Boyle, C. J., personal communication, U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region VIII, Denver, Colorado, 1977.
The Anaconda Company, "Calculations of Ambient Sulfur Dioxide Concentrations
Resulting from Operations at the Anaconda Reduction Works," Environmental
Engineering Department, Butte, Montana, 1971.
31
-------
APPENDIX A
INDIVIDUAL SITE SUMMARIES
The location of each monitoring site listed in the following tables is
represented by a distance (in statute miles) and a bearing (in degrees,
true north) from the Anaconda stack. The elevation of each site is given
in feet above mean sea level (MSL). All of the monitoring sites were
located on a U.S. Geological Service topographic map. The location and
elevation of a monitoring site were obtained and verified using the topo-
graphic maps.
Meteorological information at each site was measured and recorded with
a MRI Model 1072 mechanical weather station. Since the instrument records
wind speed in miles of wind run per unit time, wind direction in degrees
(referenced to true north) and temperature in degrees fahrenheit, no
attempt was made to convert these units to the preferred metric units.
Sulfur dioxide concentrations are reported in parts per million
(ppm) measured against a calibration standard that was calibrated in
terms of ppm at reference conditions (25° C, 760 mm Hg).
Sulfur emission data for the smelter was obtained, through the courtesy
of EPA Region VIII, from the strip charts and written records of The Anaconda
Company. Since in-stack measurements of the S02 concentrations, stack
temperatures, and stack velocity are not routinely made in the main Anaconda
stack, the sulfur emission data represents a best estimate rather than a
measured value. Inquiries on the computation of the sulfur emission data
should be directed to the U.S. EPA, Region VIII.
When violations of the Federal primary and secondary standards for SOz
were measured, the time of the violation and the recorded concentration are
listed separately in each table. The applicable primary S02 standard for
this study is 0.14 ppm for a period of 24 hours. The applicable secondary
standard is 0.50 ppm for a 3-hour period.
General comments that would be useful in understanding and interpreting
the data recorded at each site have been taken from the project notebook.
The project notebook was maintained by the project officer, Jeffrey van Ee.
32
-------
SITE NUMBER: 1
ELEVATION: 5200 feet
TABLE A-l
DATE: 10/26-27/76
LOCATION: 2.2 mi, 305°
Wind
Time Miles Run Direction Temp.
S02 Cone.
Average Peak
(ppm) Ippm)
Sulfur Emissions
(1000 Ibs/hr)
1300-1400
1400-1500
1500-1600
1510-1600**
1600-1700
1700-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0300-0400
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0800
0800-0900
0900-1000
1000-1040
—
20
19
17
13
9.5
9
7.5
7
9.5
9.5
4.5
4
10
10
8.5
10.5
6
10.5
11.5
9.5
—
305
305
275
305
230
230
235
220
230
235
200
195
185
215
200
180
165
175
175
195
_ - -- — - - - _
48
46
45
43
41
40
39
37
37
37
37
35
35
35
35
35
34
33
36
40
—
0.07*
0.04
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
35
0.47
0.39 46
0
0
0
0
0 — .
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS:
TIME AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
* Sulfur dioxide sampling began at 1530. The average concentration was
computed for this period. Meteorological measurements began at 1510.
** Indented times are used to designate time periods which did not
begin on the hour or half-hour. Emission data is unavailable for
those time periods.
33
-------
TABLE A-2
SITE NUMBER: 2 DATE: 10/29/76
ELEVATION: 5800 feet LOCATION:^ 4.2 mi, ^ 135°
No meteorological data are reported.
Problems encountered with the SOz instrument.
34
-------
TABLE A-3
SITE NUMBER: 3
ELEVATION: 5080 feet
DATE: 11/5/76
LOCATION: 2.5 mi, 230°
Time Miles
0800-0900
0900-1000
1000-1100
0942-1042
1100-1200
1040-1142
«._
—
13
—
17
Wind
Run Direction
_ —
—
150
—
150
Temp.
C°F)
__
—
52
—
54
S02
Average
Oppm)
_.
—
*
—
*
Cone.
Peak
Cppm)
— —
0.3
—
0.3
Sulfur
(1000
64
58
58
33
—
Emissions
Ibs/hr)
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
Instrument was in calibration during this period.
0.04 ppm was computed from 1000-1130.
The concentration of
Comments: The instrument package was sited after the plume was observed
hitting the ground in the vicinity of the Anaconda airport.
The H-34 helicopter was called in from Butte at approximately
1000-1030 to begin making aerial plume measurements. The H-34
crew reported, upon arriving at the site, that the package
was not being impacted significantly by the plume, and it
should be moved closer to the plant. The package was
subsequently moved to Site 4.
35
-------
TABLE A-4
SITE NUMBER: 4
ELEVATION: 5080 feet
DATE: 11/05-06/76
LOCATION: 1.6 mi, 210°
Wind
Time Miles Run Direction Temp.
C°F)
1030-1130
1130-1230
1230-1330
1237-1300
1300-1400
1330-1430
1400-1500
1430-1530
1500-1600
1600-1700
1700-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0757
—
*
*
A
*
*
*
*
*
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
__
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
_.
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
fc
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
S02 Cone. Sulfur Emissions
Average Peak (1000 Ibs/hr)
(ppm) CppnO
__
—
0.78^
0.27
0.31
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
__
—
2.2$
0.87
1.3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
55
37
45
49
55
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS:
TIME AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
No meteorological data are available at th.e site. The MRI weather station
strip chart motor was not turned on. The ambient temperature varied
from 35° F to 60° F.
Average reported for the 23-minute period only.
T An adjustment has been made to account for the high S02 readings resulting
from the instrument being switched from the calibration mode to sample
mode.
36
-------
TABLE A-4 (Continued)
SITE NUMBER: 4
ELEVATION: 5080 feet
DATE: 11/05-06/76
LOCATION: 1.6 mi, 210°
Comments: The instrument package was sited at Site 4 on the basis of S02
(Cont.) readings obtained from the H-34 helicopter. Difficulties were
encountered with the S02 instrument chart recorder at the initiation
of sampling at the site. These problems were corrected after some
delay.
At 1630 the plume was observed impacting the ground in the
vicinity of the site. The decision was made to leave the
box out over night.
At 1900 the plume was observed to have moved off the site.
At 0700, 11/06/76 the plume was observed blowing towards the
west-southwest. The package was subsequently moved off the
site. In the process, a lift cable broke and the instrument
package was roughly transported back to the airport facility
at Butte for repair. It was discovered that the S02 instrument
photomultiplier tube had become damaged during the movement
of the package off the site. Repair of the instrument package
was finished that evening.
37
-------
SITE NUMBER: 5
ELEVATION: 6840 feet
TABLE A-5
DATE: 11/10/76
LOCATION: 4.8 mi, 05°
Time
Wind
Miles Run Direction
S02 Cone.
Average Peak
Cppm)
Sulfur Emissions
(1000 Ibs/hr)
0700-0800
0800-0900
0900-1000
1000-1100
1100-1200
1200-1300
1300-1400
1400-1500
1500-1517
—
7
7
6
5
4
7
0.5
—
345
340
360
360
030
340
325
—
35
32
35
37
39
35
32
—
0.16*
0.03
0.02
0
0
0
0
—
0.60
0.21
0.08
0
0
0
0
47
47
35
11
11
—
—
—
—
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
Sulfur dioxide average concentration computed from 0911-1000.
Comments: The plume was. observed blowing into the Mill Creek-Wisdom
Road area at daybreak. The helicopter was called in between
0700 and 0715. The plume in the area of the site was difficult
to see distinctly. It appeared that the plume may have been
hitting the saddle to the west of the site. The H-34 helicopter
was called in and it arrived in the area at approximately 1000.
The H-34 crew quickly reported that the plume was not impacting
the site, but the plume may shift back to the site. The H-34
helicopter did manage to obtain a few measurements over the
instrument package before the plume shifted. At 1600 it was
obvious that the plume was not, and probably would not, impact
the site. The instrument package was subsequently moved to
Site 6 in an effort to anticipate where the plume might impact
next.
38
-------
SITE NUMBER: 6
ELEVATION: 6730 feet
TABLE A-6
DATE: 11/10-11/76
LOCATION: 5.2 mi, 032°
Time
Wind
Miles Run Direction
S02 Cone.
Average Peak
(ppm) (ppm)
Sulfur Emissions
(1000 Ibs/hr)
1626-1700
1700-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0300-0400
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0800
2.5
4
5
5
2
2
0
8
5.5
4.5
2
4.5
1.5
3
3
1
60
60
60
120
195
210
Calm
195
195
195
225
195
30
195
115
30
— ^ — -~
36
34
33
32
31
30
30
29
29
29
28
27
27
26
27
26
T
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
•vO.Ol
0
>•*•--'• *•
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.07
0
__
__
__
__
__
— _
— _
—
—
—
—
51
73
64
— —
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
Comments: This site was chosen because it appeared to offer the best chance of
being impacted by the plume under the existing meteorological
conditions. At daybreak on 11/11/76 the plume was again observed
to be heading into the Wisdom Highway-Mill Creek area. The H-34
helicopter crew reported that the plume was not hitting the
site; that the plume was hitting the Grassy Mountain slopes.
The Huey helicopter was called in to move the box to another
location. By the time the instrument package was ready to be
moved the plume began to lift and swing further towards the west.
39
-------
SITE NUMBER: 7
ELEVATION: 7400 feet
TABLE A-7
DATE: 11/11-12/76
LOCATION: 6.8 mi, 050°
Wind
Time Miles Run Direction Temp.
C°F)
1400-1500
1500-1600
1600-1700
1700-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0300-0400
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0800
—
2.5
1
2
2
3.5
3
3.5
3.5
4
6
2
3
3.5
4
3
3
—
315
45
30
45
30
30
40
60
45
35
45
45
30
0
25
30
—
30
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
22
22
22
22
23
24
24
22
S02 Cone. Sulfur Emissions
Average Peak (1000 Ibs/hr)
(ppm) (ppm)
—
0.09*
0.09
0.01
>1.8
0.01
0
0
0.69
0.50
>1.16
0.13
0
0.10
0
0
0
__
—
0.12
0.33
0.14
>5.0
0.07
0
0
1.93
2.02
>5.0
0.40
0
0.11
0
0
0
23
40
34
58
67
75
73
46
52
72
51
64
79
49
67
—
—
—
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME
1700-2000
2300-0200
1600-1600
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
>0.63
>0.77
>0.19
t
* Average concentration computed for 1636-1700 period.
Assumed 0 ppm S02 during periods when no sampling occurred.
Comments: At approximately 1430 the plume was observed bending over towards
the Mill Creek valley area. (The plume had been blowing out,
earlier, over the valley.) By the time the instrument package
was ready to be moved into the valley, the plume was observed blowing,
generally, over the town of Anaconda. Light winds allowed for
an appreciable plume rise.
40
-------
TABLE A-7 (Continued)
SITE NUMBER: 7 DATE: 11/11-12/76
ELEVATION: 7400 feet LOCATION: 6.8 mi, 050C
Comments: Site 7 was chosen on the assumption that winds would remain light
(Cont.) during the night and shift to a more northerly direction; thus
bringing the plume across the high elevation site. (The plume was
previously observed in this area so that site appeared to be
reasonable.)
At daybreak on 11/12/76 the plume was clearly observed to be
missing the site.
41
-------
SITE NUMBER: 8
ELEVATION: 6750 feet
TABLE A-8
DATE: 11/12/76
LOCATION: 5.7 mi, 030°
Wind
Time Miles Run Direction Temp.
C°F)
0700-0800
0800-0900
0900-1000
1000-1100
1100-1200
1200-1300
1300-1400
1400-1500
1500-1519
__
—
0.75
2.5
2.5
3.5
5.5
6
1.5
—
45
45
35
30
0
0
0
—
33
29
29
30
30
30
30
S02 Cone. Sulfur Emissions
Average Peak (1000 Ibs/hr)
Cppm) Cppm)
„
—
4.72
0.69
M).17
0.09
<0.01
<0.02
<0.01
__
—
13.1
2.3
0.17
0.17
0.04
<0.02
<0.01
47
78
66
57
16
40
46
55
— —
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
0900-1200 1.9 ppm
0900-0900 0.25 ppm*
*
Assuming 0 ppm during the period when no sampling occurred.
Comments: The H-34 crew reported just after daybreak that the instrument
package at Site 7 was not in the plume. The plume was observed
to be hitting the mountains identified later as Site 8. The
instrument package was dropped at Site 8 - slightly off the
top of the ridge identified by the H-34 helicopter crew as
having the highest S02 concentrations. The Huey helicopter
crew found it necessary to don their gas masks.
At the time the instrument package was dropped the plume had
lifted and shifted to the west. The plume layer existing at
Site 8 can best be described as a plume remnant.
Winds at the site were absolutely calm, initially. After the
S02 instrument had been calibrated, the H-34 helicopter began
to make a number of traverses over the site. On the last, and
lowest, pass by the H-34 the wind was observed to pick up.
Approximately one minute after the helicopter traverse the
wind had died down to zero. The S02 concentration was observed
to decrease from approximately 13 ppm to 6 ppm during this
period. Shortly after this event, the Huey helicopter returned
42
-------
TABLE A-8 (Continued)
SITE NUMBER: 8 DATE: 11/12/76
ELEVATION: 6750 feet LOCATION: 5.7 mi, 030°
Comments: to a landing spot approximately 150-200 feet up the hillside
(Cont.) to pick up the ground crew. During the rest of the morning, the
main plume gradually lifted until it was observed at 1145 to
be just impacting the top of Grassy Mountain.
At 1200, the S02 instrument was checked to see what concentration
of S02 existed in the area of Site 8. Since som^ S02 was still
present, the instrument package was left at the site. The in-
strument range was decreased to 1 ppm (full scale).
At 1520 the S02 instrument was post-calibrated. No S02 was
detected in the area at that time.
43
-------
SITE NUMBER: 9
ELEVATION: 7200 feet
TABLE A-9
DATE: 11/12-13/76
LOCATION: 6.5 mi, 030°
Time
Wind
Miles Run Direction
S0a Cone.
Average Peak
Cppm)
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
Sulfur Emissions
(1000 Ibs/hr)
1610-1700
1700-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0300-0400
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0800
3
2
2
1
1
1
3.5
3.5
6
8.5
10.5
13
15
13
14
14
315
15
45
variable
variable
variable
135
25
135
130
135
135
135
135
135
135
30
30
30
29
29
26
25
25
25
20
19
18
16
15
15
15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
__
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Comments: This site was chosen on the basis of an educated guess that the
plume might impact the area during the night.
44
-------
oITE NUMBER: 10
ELEVATION: 5080 feet
TABLE A-10
DATE: 11/15/76
LOCATION: 1.9 mi, 235°
Time
Wind
Miles Run Direction
Temp
C°F)
S02 Cone.
Average Peak
(ppm)
Sulfur Emissions
(1000 Ibs/hr)
0847-0900
0900-1000
1000-1100
1100-1200
1200-1300
1300-1400
*
*
*
*
ft
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
<0.05
0.1
0.1
0
0
—
__.
—
—
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME AVERAGE CONCENTRATIONS
NONE
* No meteorological data are available at the site. The mechanical weather
station strip chart was not turned on. The ambient temperature ranged
from 42° F to 50° F. Wind direction varied from 180° to 300°.
Comments: Strong southwesterly winds brought the plume over the smelter
tailings ponds to the valley floor at daybreak. The H-34
helicopter crew reported the plume hitting the surface of the
tailings ponds near the stack. This area appeared to be unsuitable
for placement of the package because of an unsure foundation
for the package and because the area was within a restricted
area on the smelter property.
The package was sited in an area that appeared to be a likely
place for the plume to impact. One-half hour after placement,
the H-34 helicopter crew reported that the instrument package
appeared to be located outside the plume. Later in the morning,
the plume had shifted to an easterly direction. The instrument
package was taken back to the base of operations in the
afternoon to be readied for more promising meteorological
conditions.
45
-------
TABLE A-ll C#D
SITE NUMBER: 11 (#1)
ELEVATION: 5020 feet
DATE: 11/16-17/76
LOCATION: 3.6 mi, ^220°
Wind
Time Miles Run Direction Temp.
C°F)
0800-0900
0900-1000
1000-1100
0958-1100
1100-1200
1200-1300
1300-1400
1400-1500
1500-1600
1600-1700
1700-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0300-0400
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0800
0800-0900
0900-0910
—
—
13
11
12
17
14
10.5
8.5
11.5
11.5
10
11
8
2.5
2.5
4.5
7.5
10.5
6.5
9.5
15.5
11.5
10
10
4
—
—
180
180
180
180
165
165
180
180
165
165
180
195
Variable
165
165
135
150
165
165
165
165
165
150
140
—
—
44
43
44
44
43
44
46
43
44
44
44
44
42
41
43
43
43
43
43
42
41
40
41
42
SOa Cone. Sulfur Emissions
Average Peak (1000 Ibs/hr)
Cppm) (ppm)
—
—
0.44*
0.47
0.49
0.12
0
0
0.10
0.20
0.23
0.28
0.55
0.24
M).05
<0.05
0.14
0.43
0.26
0.34
0.11
0.43
0.16
0.70
0.07
— —
—
—
1.4
1.4
1.3
0.39
0
0.04
0.39
0.48
0.58
0.77
1.3
0.77
0.10
0.05
0.58
1.4
0.87
0.96
0.77
1.6
1.2
1.7
1.1
— —
72
72
62
59
42
22
10
10
31
39
39
46
70
60
61
73
81
86
70
70
71
71
0.79
^70
V75
— —
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME
1000-1000
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
0.24 ppm
Sulfur dioxide values reported from 1014-1000. Average concentration computed
for this time period.
Assuming 0 ppm during the period when no sampling occurred.
46
-------
TABLE A-11 (#1) (Continued)
SITE NUMBER: 11 (#1) DATE: 11/16-17/76
ELEVATION: 5020 feet LOCATION: 3.6 mi,
Comments: At daybreak the plume was observed hitting the ground to the east
of the plant. Approximately 1 hour later the plume had shifted
towards the Anaconda airport. Falling snow and clouds were in
the mountains to the west. The H-34 helicopter crew reported
that the maximum S02 concentration was right over the middle of
the airport.
The plume was observed blowing towards the site throughout the day
and into the night. The H-34 crew reported early the next day
that the instrument package was still being impacted by the plume.
The S02 instrument was calibrated at 0910. At this time the
plume appeared to be swept downward over the tailings pond and
then off towards the west, missing the site. Some consideration
was given to moving the package, but with the strong southwesterly
winds there appeared to be a good chance that the plume would
again move back towards the site.
47
-------
TABLE A-11 (#12)
SITE NUMBER: 11 (#2)
ELEVATION: 5020 feet
DATE: 11/17-18/76
LOCATION: 3.6 mi, ^220°
Time
Wind
Miles Run Direction
S02 Cone.
Average Peak
Cppm) (ppm)
Sulfur Emissions
(1000 Ibs/hr)
0900-1000
0916-1000
1000-1100
1100-1200
1200-1300
1300-1400
1400-1500
1500-1600
1600-1700
1700-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0300-0400
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0800
0800-0900
0900-0920
12.5
18
19.5
17.5
15.5
14
1.35
8.5
9
4.5
8.5
8
15
14.5
16
6
7
2.5
3.5
3
2
5.5
5
2.5
1.5
160
160
165
175
170
160
160
160
160
160
205
220
235
230
235
165
220
0
310
310
100
205
180
310
310
__
49
52
55
57
58
59
58
57
54
52
53
54
52
48
48
48
47
43
39
38
37
38
37
38
39
0.02*
0.01
0.31
0.64
0.23
0.02
0.07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.07
0.07
0
0
0
79
0.1
0.1 62
2.65 67
2.9
1.4
0.29
0.58
0.1
'x-O.l
0.1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.39
0.19
0
0
0
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
A
Sampling began at 0930.
Comments: Sampling was resumed at 0930 after the S02 instrument was
recalibrated at the site.
Light winds were prevalent during the early morning hours of
11/18/76. The plume rose almost straight out of the stack.
48
-------
TABLE A-ll (.#2) CContinued)
SITE NUMBER: 11 (#2) DATE: 11/17-18/76
ELEVATION: 5020 feet LOCATION: 3.6 mi, ^220°
Comments: Sampling was terminated at the site at 0920. The S02 instrument
(Cont.) was post-calibrated at 0930.
-------
TABLE A-12
SITE NUMBER: 12
ELEVATION: 5080 feet
DATE: 12/8-9/76
LOCATION: 2.3 mi, 228
Wind
Time Miles Run Direction Temp.
C°F)
0730-0830
0830-0930
0930-1000
0930-1030
1000-1100
1030-1130
1100-1200
1200-1300
1300-1400
1400-1500
1500-1600
1600-1700
1700-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0300-0400
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0800
0800-0900
0900-0930
__
—
6.5
—
17.5
—
18.5
21
19
19
18.5
17
8.5
14
0.72
21
19.5
16
20
19
18
11.5
11.5
10
10
11.5
11
11.5
3
__
—
195
—
200
—
200
200
195
180
165
170
195
205
210
195
180
170
200
240
260
290
255
250
260
270
260
270
270
—
46
—
48
—
50
51
52
52
51
49
48
0.47
45
45
45
45
46
43
41
41
41
40
40
39
39
39
39
S02 Cone. Sulfur Emissions
Average Peak (1000 Ibs/hr)
(ppm) (ppm)
—
0.01
—
0.01
—
0
0
0
0
0
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0
0
0
0.02
0.03
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
—
0.23
—
0.19
—
0
0
0
0
0
0.14
0.07
0.46
0.16
0
0
0
0.50
0.92
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
57
36
35
52
11
23
46
43
43
46
57
50
55
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
Comments: The span drift that occurred during this period was not taken
into account in the above figures.
50
-------
TABLE A-12 (.Continued)
SITE NUMBER: 12 DATE: 12/8-9/76
ELEVATION: 5080 feet LOCATION: 2.3 mi, 228°
Comments: During the instrument package pre-calibration, flights were made
(Cont.) over the site by the H-34 and the lidar aircraft. Flights
continued for a short time after the SOa instrument had been
placed in operation.
On the morning of December 9, 1976, high winds brought the plume
to the ground east of the smelter. The package was post-calibrated
at 0930 and subsequently moved to Site 13.
51
-------
TABLE A-13
SITE NUMBER: 13
ELEVATION: 5160 feet
DATE: 12/9-10/76
LOCATION: 1.9 mi, 285°
Wind
Time Miles Run Direction Temp.
1200-1300
1300-1400
1400-1500
1500-1600
1600-1700
1700-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0300-0400
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0800
0800-0900
0900-1000
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
ft
*
*
*
*
A
*
ft
*
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
C°F)
ft
ft
ft
*
*
ft
ft
ft
ft
A
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
SOa Cone. Sulfur Emissions
Average Peak (1000 Ibs/hr)
(ppm)
0.21
0.05
0.31
0.33
0.13
0.06
0
0.02
0.01
0.03
0
0
0.05
0.01
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
(.ppm)
0.70
0.16
1.4
1.4
1.5
0.18
0
0.25
0.04
0.09
0
^0.02
0.45
0.29
^0.02
0
0
0
0
0.04
0
0
28
37
60
61
63
44
65
70
66
49
55
31
43
—
—
—
50
36
28
—
—
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
The chart drive on the MRI weather station was not turned on. Thus, the
only data obtained were the range of temperatures over the sampling
period. Temperatures ranged from 32 to 38° F.
52
-------
SITE NUMBER: 14
ELEVATION: 7280 feet
TABLE A-14
DATE: 12/29-30/76
LOCATION: 6.6 mi, 050°
Wind
Time Miles Run Direction
Temp.
C°F
SO2 Cone.
Average Peak
Sulfur Emissions
(1000 Ibs/hr)
1600-1700
1700-1800
1745-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100 -
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0300-0400
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0800
0800-0900
0900-0930
0.5
2
3.5
2.5
2
3.5
4.5
3.0
4.0
3.0
4.0
6.0
5.0
6.0
4.0
5.5
2.5
variable
135
120
60
360
345
345
90
45
135
30
0
60
75
30
75
75
^ ,-,*
27
26
25
24
22
23
23
22
21
20
20
19
17
15
15
14
14
\-t-t""-/
0
0.11
0.97
0.21
0.14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.04
0.01
0
0
\ f r *•**/
0
0.16
1.8
0.64
0.48
0
0
0
0.05
0
0
0
0.05
0.28
0.18
0
0
64
64
—
50
V30
^60
58
43
46
50
—
50
61
76
50
58
—
—
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
Comments: At approximately 1600 the plume was observed to have shifted
from blowing out over the valley to blowing into the Mill Creek
valley area. By 1700 the plume had shifted back out of the area.
Remnants of the plume were observed in the Mill Creek valley
area at this time. Site 14 was located to the east and above the
plume remnants. During the calibration of the S02 instrument,
winds were light and variable. Site 14 was chosen with the hopes
that remnants of the plume would be blown on to the site and that
a shift in the winds during the night would bring the plume back
into the valley. At 1930, the plume was observed to be blowing
back into the Mill Creek valley area.
53
-------
TABLE A-14 (.Continued)
SITE NUMBER: 14 DATE: 12/29-30/76
ELEVATION: 7280 feet LOCATION: 6.6 mi, 050°
Comments: At daybreak, December 30, 1976, the plume was observed blowing into
(Cont.) the Willow Creek valley area south of the smelter. The Huey helicop-
ter was delayed in leaving Butte because the helicopter needed to
be fueled.
Shortly after 0900, the helicopter was in the area south of the
smelter. The plume was observed to spill over the continental
divide and to also follow the valley to the south of the Fairmont
Hot Springs Resort.
After picking up the instrument package at Site 14, the plume
was observed to have shifted direction to the point where it
was blowing over the saddle formed by "C" Hill and Weather Hill
(to the south of the smelter).
54
-------
SITE NUMBER: 15
ELEVATION: 7200 feet
TABLE A-15
DATE: 12/30/76
LOCATION: 6.6 mi, 029°
Wind
Time Miles Run Direction
Temp.
C°F)
S02 Cone.
Average Peak
Sulfur Emissions
(1000 Ibs/hr)
1000-1100
1100-1200
1145-1200
1200-1300
1300-1400
1400-1500
1500-1600
1500-1525
—
—
—
8
10
7.5
—
345
345
345
345
345
—
15
15
15
15
15
0.33
0.76
0.44
0.10
0.38
>1.0
1.43
1.27
0.33
0.38
45
51
59
50
41
48
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
Comments: Erratic strip chart drive on the MRI weather station prevents
a truly accurate analysis of the wind data.
Site 15 was chosen after flying around the Mill Creek valley
area for some time. The haze present in the valley made it
difficult to identify the plume centerline and its impaction
point. It also appeared as if the formation of fog in the
valley was being enhanced by the plume.
During the early afternoon, the plume appeared to lift. At
1525 the instrument was pre-calibrated and prepared for transport
to a site that appeared to be more likely to be hit by the plume
under the existing, and predicted, meteorological conditions.
55
-------
TABLE A-16
SITE NUMBER: 16
ELEVATION: 7280 feet
DATE: 12/30-31/76
LOCATION: 50 mi, 018°
Wind
Time Miles Run Direction Temp.
C°F)
1400-1500
1500-1600
1600-1700
1613-1700
1700-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0300-0400
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0800
0800-0900
0900-1000
1000-1100
1100-1200
1200-1300
1300-1400
1400-1500
1500-1600
1500-1530
1530-*
1530-1600
1600-1700
1700-1800
1800-1900
1900-2000
2000-2100
2100-2200
2200-2300
2300-2400
—
—
7
6
5
6.5
7.0
6.0
2
0
2.5
0.5
1
0.5
0.5
1.0
1.0
1
0.5
2.0
1.5
1
2.5
5.5
5.0
5
11.5
8.5
9.0
7.5
8.5
8.5
6.5
6.5
—
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
—
0
variable
0
0
0
255
255
255
variable
45
0
345
25
360
345
345
345
345
345
345
345
345
0
0
—
—
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
16
14
14
16
16
16
14
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
S02 Cone. Sulfur Emissions
Average Peak (1000 Ibs/hr)
(.ppm) (ppm)
—
—
0
0.06
0.08
0.09
0.02
0.19
0.39
0.14
0.13
0.05
0.02
0.01
0.06
0.04
0.05
0.03
0.02
0.02
0.06
0.05
0.09
0.28
0.10
0.08
—
—
0
0.19
0.16
0.16
0.12
0.39
0.87
0.33
0.23
0.10
0.05
0.05
0.10
0.10
0.07
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.12
0.10
0.07
1.1
0.31
0.26
0.14
41
48
50
53
34
47
48
47
69
43
35
29
39
33
51
55
57
49
50
36
47
49
56
52
63
54
(Continued)
56
-------
TABLE A-16 (.Continued)
SITE NUMBER: 16
ELEVATION: 7280 feet
DATE: 12/30-31/76
LOCATION: 5.0 mi, 018C
Time Miles
2400-0100
0100-0200
0200-0300
0300-0400
0400-0500
0500-0600
0600-0700
0700-0800
0800-0900
0900-1000
1000-1100
1100-1200
1200-1244
5
6
5.
6
4.
5
5
4
5.
4.
4.
3
1.
Wind
Run Direction
0
0
5 0
0
5 15
15
15
0
5 0
5 15
5 15
15
5 15
S02 Cone.
Temp. Average Peak
(°F) (ppm) (ppm)
4
4
. 4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
0
-2
Sulfur Emissions
(1000 Ibs/hr)
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
*
Sulfur dioxide readings at the site beyond 1530 were made possible because
the strip chart paper remained stuck to the paper roll even though the paper
had run out. It is not possible to tell when the paper ran out or when the
S02 instrument lost power, simply by looking at the strip chart record. The
only reading that can be obtained is the peak S02 reading recorded before
the power was lost to the instrument package.
Comments: Winds were predicted to be from the north during the evening of
December 30, 1976. Site 16 was chosen because it lay as close
to due south of the smelter as possible while retaining a high
elevation.
Clouds and light snow prevented access to the instrument package
on December 31, 1976. From time to time during the daylight
hours of December 31, 1976, it was possible to see the plume
being blown towards the mountainous area south of the smelter.
At approximately 1200, January 1, 1977, the snow and clouds had
cleared to the point where the helicopter could make a landing
at the site. The sample line was found to be clogged with snow.
57
-------
TABLE A-16 (Continued)
SITE NUMBER: 16
ELEVATION: 7280 feet
DATE: 12/30-31/76
LOCATION: 5.0 mi, 018°
Comments: Power to the S02 instrument had automatically turned off due to
(Cont.) a low voltage on the battery, and the strip chart had run out
on the S02 strip chart recorder. A post-calibration was not
performed since the instrument had been off for an indeterminate
length of time, and the calibration gas had leaked out of the
cylinder.
At 1315 the plume was observed to be blowing out over the valley.
The plume height was measured (with the helicopter) to be
approximately 9400 feet MSL.
58
-------
TABLE A-17
SITE NUMBER: 17
ELEVATION: 8900 feet
DATE: 02/08/77
LOCATION: 6.4 mi, 070°
Time
Wind
Miles Run Direction
Temp.
C°F)
S02 Cone.
Average Peak
(ppm) (ppm)
1030-1130
1130-1230
1230-1330
1222-1237*
Sulfur Emissions
(1000 Ibs/hr)
62
67
56
0.5
30
41
1237-1300
1330-1430
1300-1352
1.25
—
2.5
255
—
255
42
—
43
0.53
__
0.211"
0.8
0.59
—
33
AMBIENT AIR VIOLATIONS: TIME
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION
NONE
*
During this time period, the site was being inpacted by the plume. Due to
the importance of documenting the meteorological conditions existing at the
plume impaction site, the meteorological data are reported for the period
when the S02 instrument was in calibration.
Average reading is for the listed time period only.
Comments: At daybreak the plume appeared to be ready to head into the Mill
Creek valley area. However, the winds never became quite strong
enough to blow it into the area. Winds .throughout the day were
quite variable both in speed and direction.
At 1130 the plume was clearly observed from the Huey helicopter
to be hitting the slope of Mount Haggin. Because of low fuel
and heavy tree cover it was impossible to place the package in
the center of the plume impaction area. (This area was identified
later as the Clear Creek drainage.) Anticipating that the winds
would increase, and the plume would lift, the instrument was sited
on the eastern ridge of the Clear Creek drainage. The main portion
of the plume appeared to hit the lower middle portion of the
drainage; thus, site 17 was above and to the south of this area.
At the beginning of sampling, winds at the site were light and
variable. When the winds were from the north, the S02 instrument
would respond. When the winds shifted away from the Clear Creek
drainage, the S02 instrument reading would drop.
59
-------
TABLE A-17 (Continued)
SITE NUMBER: 17 DATE: 02/08/77
ELEVATION: 8900 feet LOCATION: 6.4 mi, 070°
Comments: By 1330 it was obvious that the winds had shifted to a southerly
(Cont.) direction and that the plume would probably not re-enter the area
in the foreseeable future. The instrument package was removed
from the site after a post-calibration at approximately 1400.
60
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APPENDIX B
DESCRIPTION OF THE ANACONDA SMELTER
The Anaconda smelter uses an electric furnace and a natural gas-
fired reverbatory furnace in the production of primary copper. Emissions
from the smelter are carried by natural convection through two separate
flues to the base of the 178-meter stack. (Typical emission data are
listed in Table 1.) The base of the stack is at an elevation of 5760
feet above sea level (203 m above the valley floor). An electrostatic
precipitator located at the base of the stack removes particulates from
'the main flue. A portion of the emissions from the electric furnace are
transported to a sulfuric acid plant before being transported through the
"high velocity" flue to the stack. A bag house is used on the high
velocity flue to remove particulates.
''* TABLE B-l. SOURCE CHARACTERISTICS
Source: Main Stack
Stack Height: 178 m, the stack is on a hill 203 m above the
valley floor. The effective stack height would
be 381 m.
Stack Diameter: 18.3 m
Exit Velocity2: 1.92 - 2.52 m/s
Flow Rate3: 505 - 661 m /s
Exit Temperature4: 337 - 370° K
Stack 5 g 63
Concentration : 1.7 x 10 - 16.4 x 10 yg/m
1 Furnished by Region VIII, U. S. EPA.
2
Based on stack area and flow rate.
3
Measured at 1000 daily.
Measured 41.15 m below stack top.
Based on exit velocity and emission rates.
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APPENDIX C
DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCAL TOPOGRAPHY AND METEOROLOGY
The smelter is located approximately 2 miles southeast of the town of
Anaconda (Figure 2). The town lies in one of the three mountain valleys
which meet in the vicinity of the plant. A short, deep and narrow valley
(Mill Creek valley) lies to the southwest of the plant. A long, broad valley
lies to the northeast of the plant. (This valley runs in a north-south
direction and it includes the towns of Warm Springs and Deer Lodge). Approx-
imately eight miles southwest of the plant lies the high alpine area of Mount
Haggin (10,607 feet). The effect of these topographical features on the
local weather patterns is significant, but has not been adequately charac-
terized to provide well-documented three-dimensional flow which could be used
in diffusion modeling.
Invasions of Pacific polar maritime air and the influence of the local
terrain are important factors in the local climatology. The climate in the
Anaconda area is described as modified continental. Snowfall at the lower
elevations is infrequent and light. Stable conditions are frequently observed
during the winter months. Prevailing winds in the area are from the south-
west. The only available meteorological information in the Anaconda area is
obtained through the state and Anaconda pollution monitoring networks.
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APPENDIX D
DESCRIPTION OF THE MOBILE SULFUR DIOXIDE INSTRUMENT PACKAGE
The mobile S02 instrument package was specifically designed by the
Monitoring Operations Division (MOD) for use in the Anaconda, Montana, area
during the harsh winter months. Sulfur dioxide data, wind speed and direction,
and temperature were recorded on strip chart recorders. A MRI mechanical
weather station was used to measure the meteorological parameters. A modified
Thermo Electron Corporation (TECO) Model'43 instrument was used to measure
sulfur dioxide. u This information was recorded on an Esterline-Angus Minigraph
recorder. The 120-volt AC power for the TECO 43 was supplied from an Advance
Conversion Devices (Model A22-1) 12-volt DC inverter. Direct current power
for the S02 instrument sample pump, the Minigraph recorder, and the TECO 43
was furnished by a silver-zinc battery. A canister of activated charcoal was
mounted inside the insulated box for zeroing the S02 instrument. Attached to
the top of the box was a size 100 cylinder of nominally 4 ppm S02 in air span
gas. Attached to the bottom of, the box were two scissors jacks for leveling
the box on rough terrain. A 6-foot piece of pipe was carried on top of the
box for the purpose of supporting the mechanical weather station and the
1/4-inch Teflon S02 sample line. Padlocks on both instrument access doors
prevented unauthorized entry into the box. The total weight of the package
was approximately 250 pounds.
The modified TECO 43 instrument has been used by MOD in aircraft for
plume studies and wide-area air quality monitoring. Further modifications
were required to reduce the power consumption and to insure stable operation
under a wide variety of temperatures. A 12-volt DC diaphragm pump replaced
the normal 120-volt AC instrument pump. The flow was reduced from the
6.4 1pm used in aircraft operations to 1.6 1pm using the factory-supplied
glass capillary. Military grade integrated circuits were used to upgrade the
electronic amplifier circuitry. To help insure stable instrument operation,
power to the TECO 43 was maintained at all times. When the instrument was
not out in the field, a 12-volt DC power supply powered the box. When the
box was taken out into the field, power was transferred to the silver-zinc
battery.
The silver-zinc battery was selected to power the instrument package for
a number of reasons. Siver-zinc batteries have the highest energy density of
any commercially available rechargeable battery; they have a low voltage drop
during discharge, and they can operate quite well over a wide temperature
range.
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APPENDIX E
CALIBRATION PROCEDURES AND EQUIPMENT
Before and after every sampling period, the TECO 43 was zeroed and
spanned at the sampling site. This information was recorded on the
instrument strip chart recorder along with the sample data. The instrument
was zeroed by allowing the instrument to pull air through the 8-ounce activated
charcoal canister contained inside the instrument package. Span gas
from the Scott-Marrin aluminum cylinder was introduced to the instrument
through Teflon tubing and a stainless steel tee. A 0-5 1pm rotameter
was used on the tee to insure that the span gas introduced to the instrument
was at atmospheric pressure. A two-stage stainless steel regulator was
used on the gas bottle to maintain a relatively stable flow.
The instrument would normally be zeroed using the 0.5 ppm scale.
This helped to minimize the zero offset. For the initial instrument
calibration, the zero suppression control was adjusted to give a zero
reading on the panel meter. For the post calibration sequence the zero
level was simply recorded. After several minutes had elapsed, the
instrument range would be changed to 5 ppm. Span gas would be introduced,
and- (for the pre-calibration sequence) the span control would be adjusted
until the panel meter read a nominal 4 ppm. After waiting for several
minutes to insure that the instrument calibration was stable, the calibration
tubing was disconnected and the sample line was connected. Events on
the strip chart were "flagged" by noting the time of the event in the
project notebook.
The mechanical weather station was aligned on True North using a
magnetic compass and a magnetic declination of 19° east. Using the
jacks on the instrument package, the weather station was leveled for
proper operation.
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APPENDIX F
QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCEDURES AND CALIBRATION STANDARDS
The MRI mechanical weather station temperature sensor was calibrated
against a mercury thermometer that was compared against a National Bureau of
Standards (NBS) traceable thermometer.
Calibration of the sulfur dioxide cylinders was performed by the
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory's technical support
contractor, Lockheed Electronics Corporation (LEG). These cylinders
were analyzed on several occasions using the Federal reference method
for sulfur dioxide. Modifications were made to the Pararosaniline
method to improve the precision of the analysis.* Analyses of the
calibration atmosphere generated with a NBS permeation tube (maintained
within a Bendix Dynamic Calibration System) demonstrated that the method
employed by LEG was able to yield results within approximately three percent
of the calculated NBS traceable concentrations.* Direct comparison of the
cylinders to an NBS traceable calibration atmosphere (in the field) was
hampered by difficulties in maintaining and monitoring the permeation tube
environment.
Analysis of the sulfur dioxide cylinders performed before and after
the study show that the low-level sulfur dioxide mixture remained stable
throughout the study.* The lower values reported at the beginning of
the study are attributable to the inexperience of the newly assigned
chemist with the Federal reference method. Comparison of the analyses
performed by LEG (near the end of the study period) and Scott-Marrin,
Inc. show good agreement with each other.* This serves as another
indicator of the quality of the analyses by LEG.
*
Lockheed Electronics Company, Inc. Summary of Results of the Anaconda
Mission and Description of the Method Used for S02 Permeation Tube
Analysis. Las Vegas, Nevada, April 18, 1977. 16 pp.
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APPENDIX G
DATA ANALYSIS
On all strip chart records the accuracy of the strip chart drive
motor was checked against the event times noted in the project log book.
In the event that there was a discrepancy, a linear interpolation of the
time between two events was assumed. Hourly averages for sulfur dioxide
were computed using a planimeter. Hourly averages for the meteorological
data were obtained using a clear plastic ruler to obtain equal areas
above and below the line. In most cases, zero and span drift for the
sulfur dioxide instrument were negligible (relative to the measured
ambient concentrations), and it was ignored. In a few cases, sulfur
dioxide data were corrected for instrument span drift by linear interpolation
between the two instrument span points. In those cases where corrections
could be made for zero drift, the lowest values recorded during a sample
period helped establish the linear zero-drift baseline.
Throughout the entire study the sulfur dioxide instrument was
spanned to 4 ppm. (This was the nominal value for all the sulfur dioxide
tanks purchased for the study). Throughout the study the concentration
of the tanks was measured to monitor any changes in the concentration of
the calibration gas. At the end of the study, after a number of analyses
had been performed on the tanks, a value was assigned to each tank used
in the study. The mean values from the analyses performed before and
after the study were averaged to obtain the final value used in the
reduction of the strip chart data. For cylinder MM11330, the cylinder
used for virtually the whole study, the sulfur dioxide concentration was
determined to be 3.9 ppm. For cylinder MM11331, which was used during
the latter portion of the study, the sulfur dioxide concentration was
determined to be 4.0 ppm.
To obtain a more accurate representation of the Anaconda plume,
adjustments have been made to the sulfur dioxide data obtained for the
H-34 helicopter. (The TECO 43 time response characteristics have been
used to adjust the data recorded on magnetic tape.) For ground-level,
ambient air measurements, it is not customary to adjust the data for the
instrument time response. As long as the instrument possesses the
characteristics of an "equivalent method," no corrections are required.
The TECO 43 used in the mobile package has been modified; hence, it is
necessary to measure the resulting time response to confirm that it
meets or exceeds the specifications required for a method to be designated
as an "equivalent method". The time response measured in Anaconda was
103.5 seconds to 90% full scale for the rise time. The rise and fall
times were equal. The lag time was approximately 4.5 seconds. Since
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the modified TECO 43 possesses response characteristics which are better
than, or equal to, those characteristics required for an "equivalent
method", no adjustments were made to the data to obtain a more accurate
representation of the Anaconda plume.
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1 REPORT NO.
EPA-600/4-78-055
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION-NO.
- TITLE AND SUBTITLE
GROUND-BASED SULFUR DIOXIDE MEASUREMENTS WITHIN A
COPPER SMELTER PLUME - ANACONDA, MONTANA
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
5. REPORT DATE
September 1978
7. ALTHOR(S)
J. Jeffrey van Ee
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
1AD606
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency - Las Vegas, NV
Office of Research and Development
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Las Vesas. Nevada 89114
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final Report, 10/76-3/77
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/07
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
The Monitoring Operations Division (MOD) of the Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratory - Las Vegas developed a mobile sulfur dioxide (S02) instrument
package for use in the remote, rugged terrain surrounding The Anaconda Company's
copper smelter at Anaconda, Montana. The self-contained instrument package was used
to obtain ground-level S02 measurements in the area impacted by the smelter plume.
Wind speed, wind direction, and temperature were also recorded at the sampling site.
The requirement for the package to be quickly deployed in an area impacted by the
smelter plume necessitated the use of a helicopter to sling-load the package into
position. Calibration of the instruments was performed before and after each
sampling period.
The primary area of interest for S02 measurements was the mountainous terrain south
of the smelter. During the 4 active months of the study, the package was deployed
17 times. The primary and secondary S02 standards were exceeded on a number of
occasions. Source emission strength estimates, obtained by EPA-Region VIII are
presented for those times when S02 was measured at a site. These data can be used
to normalize the recorded S02 values to account for the varying S02 emissions from
the source.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
Air Pollution
Sulfur Dioxide
Meteorology
Air Pollution and Control
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
Anaconda, Montana
Copper Smelter
Rough Terrain Monitoring
Mobile Monitoring
COS AT I Field/Group
13b
07b
04b
68a
3. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
RELEASE TO PUBLIC
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report)
UNCLASSIFIED
21. NO. OF PAGES
76
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
UNCLASSIFIED
22. PRICE
A05
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTIN
9-1
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