Air pollution of the Baikal Natural Territory

Air pollution of the Baikal Natural Territory results from human impact including emissions of motor vehicle and industrial enterprises located in the Central ecological zone (CEZ) and buffer ecological zone (BEZ), as well as enterprises of the Irkutsk-Cheremkhovo Industrial Complex located within the ecological atmospheric effect zone (EAEZ).

Air condition in CEZ (Central ecological zone)

Monitoring of air pollution is carried out in four inhabited localities within CEZ: in the towns of Baykalsk and Slyudyanka and in Listvyanka and Kultuk settlements. In 2015 no extreme or high pollution of air was registered within CEZ. In accordance with intergraded air pollution index (API) the level of air pollution in the towns of Baykalsk, Slyudyanka and in Listvyanka and Kultuk settlements was assessed as “low”.

The average concentration of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, benzo(a)pyrene, as well as monitored heavy metals didn’t exceed MPC in the air of CEZ; in Baykalsk town, additionally, concentrations of hydrogen sulphide, methyl-mercaptan, carbon disulphide and chlorine were assessed, which also didn’t exceed MPC. The average annual content of suspended solids exceeded the sanitary standard by 1.2 times in Listvyanka settlement.

The highest monthly average concentration of benzo(a)pyrene reached 2.4 MPC in Slyudyanka town 3.4 MPC - in Kultuk settlement and 2.6 MPC in Listvyanka settlement. The maximum single measurement concentration exceeded MPC as follows: in Listvyanka settlement - suspended solids by 3.8 times, carbon monoxide – by 2.2 times; in Baykalsk town - nitrogen dioxide by 2.5 times, that of hydrogen sulphide by 1.9 times; Maximum single measurement concentration of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon disulphide, chlorine and specific heavy metals didn’t exceed MPC.

Compared to 2014, the level of pollution in the localities of CEZ under investigation hasn’t changed. In Listvyanka settlement concentrations of suspended solids increased as follows: average annual (by 1.1 times) and maximum single measurement concentration (1.9 times); sulphur dioxide: average annual (by 1.4 times) and maximum single measurement concentration (by 2.0 times). In Baykalsk town maximum concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and hydrogen sulphide increased (4.2 and 1.9 times, respectively). In Slyudyanka town concentrations of nitrogen dioxide increased as follows: average annual (by 4.3 times) and maximum single measurement (by 1.2 times).

Air condition in the ecological atmospheric effect zone (EAEZ)

Monitoring of air pollution in EAEZ is carried out in five cities and towns: Irkutsk, Angarsk, Usolye-Sibirskoye, Cheremkhovo and Shelekhov.

In 2015 no extremely high pollution of air was registered. In accordance with intergraded air pollution index (API) the level of air pollution in the cities and towns of Irkutsk, Usolye-Sibirskoye, Cheremkhovo and Shelekhov the level of pollution was assessed as “high”, while in the city of Angarsk it was “higher than average”. Substances causing high air pollution in these cities and towns are: benzo(a)pyrene, formaldehyde, suspended substances, nitrogen dioxide and hydrogen sulphide; in Shelekhov town, in addition, hydrogen fluoride and solid fluorides are detected.

Annual average concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene exceeded the permissible standard by 1.2-3.8 times in all the cities and towns of EAEZ. Sanitary norms for annual average concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in all the surveyed cities, with the exception of Usolye-Sibirskoye and Shelekhov towns were exceeded by 1.1-2.3 times; the sulphur dioxide in the city of Irkutsk - by 1.1 times; ozone - in the cities of Angarsk, Irkutsk and Shelekhov town - by 1.2 times; suspended solids - in the city of Irkutsk by 1.7 times, formaldehyde – in the city of Irkutsk and Usolye-Sibirskoye town by 1.3-1.8 times respectively. Average annual concentrations of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, ammonia, soluble solid fluorides, hydrogen chloride, soot and heavy metals in the surveyed cities did not exceed the established sanitary standards.

Maximum monthly average concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene exceeded MPC (by 3.6 – 9.3 times) in all the cities and towns of EAEZ. Maximum single measurement concentration of suspended solids exceeded MPC (by 1.6-3.6 times) in all cities and towns, except for Cheremkhovo and Shelekhov towns; nitrogen dioxide (by 1.2-3.4 times) - in all cities and towns; nitrogen oxide (by 1.4-3.6 times) in all cities except for Cheremkhovo town; carbon monoxide (by 1.8-2.8 times) – in the cities of Angarsk and Irkutsk and in Usolye-Sibirskoye town; sulphur dioxide (by 1.5-2.9 times) - in the cities of Irkutsk and Angarsk and in Shelekhov town; ozone (by 1.2 times) in Shelekhov town; formaldehyde (by 1.8-2.0 times) in all the surveyed cities and towns, except for the city of Angarsk and Cheremkhovo town; hydrogen sulphide (by 5.6 - 9.9 times) – Usolye-Sibirskoye town, cities of Angarsk and Irkutsk; ammonia – in Angarsk (by 1.4 times), soot – in the city of Irkutsk (by 1.3 times); soluble solid fluorides (by 2.7 times) and hydrogen fluoride (by 3.8 times) in Shelekhov town; hydrogen chloride (1.3 times) in Usolye-Sibirskoye town. Maximum monthly average concentrations of heavy metals didn’t exceed MPC.

Compared to 2014, the level of air pollution in the city of Irkutsk and Shelekhov town decreased (from “very high” to “high” category), while it remained the same in the city of Angarsk as well as Usolye-Sibirskoye and Cheremkhovo towns.

Content in of benzo(a)pyrene in the air in most of the cities and towns of EAEZ (with the exception of Cheremkhovo town) decreased: annual average concentrations – by 1.2 - 3.5 times and maximum of monthly average concentrations – by 2.3 - 3.7 times. In Cheremkhovo town annual average and maximum concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene increased by 1.1 times.

The following average annual concentrations increased: of suspended solids - in the city of Irkutsk and Shelekhov town (by 1.1 times); nitrogen dioxide - in Cheremkhovo town (by 1.1 times), formaldehyde – Usolye-Sibirskoye town and city of Irkutsk (by 1.6 and 1.3 times respectively); ozone – in Shelekhov town and city of Irkutsk (by 1.2 times); sulphur dioxide - in the city of Irkutsk (by 1.1 times).

Maximum single measurement concentration of formaldehyde increased in the cities of Angarsk and Irkutsk (by 1.1 times), Usolye-Sibirskoye town (by 2.5 times); nitrogen dioxide in the city of Angarsk and Usolye-Sibirskoye town (by 1.2-1.3 times); sulphur dioxide - in the cities of Angarsk and Irkutsk and Shelekhov town (by 1.3-1.5 times); nitrogen oxide - in the cities of Angarsk and Irkutsk and Shelekhov town (by 1.2-1.6 times), suspended solids – in Shelekhov town (1.8 times); hydrogen sulphide - in the city of Irkutsk and Usolye-Sibirskoye town (by 1.1-2.2 times); carbon dioxide in the city of Irkutsk (by 2.8 times); hydrogen fluoride, solid fluorides and ozone in Shelekhov town (by 1.1, 1.4 and 1.2 times respectively).

 Air condition in the buffer ecological zone (BEZ)

 Information about monitoring network in Gusinoozyorsk town. Observations are carried out at one on-site station located in a residential area. The station is operating according to the laboratory-exclusive control method; chemical analytical work is performed by the LMZA (laboratory for air pollution monitoring) of Ulan-Ude. With the aid of automatic gas analysers’ major impurities (nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide) and specific impurities: hydrogen sulphide, ozone and ammonia are being monitored. Experimental continuous measurements of suspended solids’ concentrations (PM (particulate matter)-10 and PM-2.5) are carried out with the aid of dust analyser.

Concentrations of sulphur dioxide. Average annual and maximum single measurement concentrations were below 1 MPC and below the air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation. The annual change of average concentrations demonstrates a growth during the cold period of the year up to 0.014 mg/m³ (December) and decrease down to 0.002 mg/m³ (May) during the warm period of the year. According to under plume observations the maximum single measurement concentration didn’t exceed MPC.

Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. Average annual concentration is below MPC and below MPC according to air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation. In observance of annual change of concentrations the highest average concentration 0.073 mg/m³ (January) was registered during the cold period of the year. Maximum single measurement concentration exceeded 1.2 MPC (November), but didn’t exceed MPC according to the air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation. According to under plume observations the maximum single measurement concentration didn’t exceed MPC.

Concentrations of suspended solids. Average annual concentration amounted to 2 MPC and was 2.3 times above air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation. The maximum single measurement concentration of 3.8 MPC was observed in March, and was 1.5 times above the air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation.

According to under plume observations the maximum single measurement concentration, equal to 2.6 MPC, was observed in November, 3 km away from Gusinoozyorsk thermal power plant pipe.

Concentrations of carbon monoxide. Average annual and maximum single measurement concentration didn’t exceed 1 MPC and didn’t exceed air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation. According to under plume observations the maximum single measurement concentration equal to 2 MPC was observed in June, 1 km away from Gusinoozyorsk thermal power plant pipe.

Concentrations of ozone (G). Observations are carried out with the aid of automatic gas analysers. The average concentration during the monitoring period amounted to 1.4 MPC. The maximum single measurement concentration, equal to 1.6 MPC, was observed in October.

Concentration of hydrogen sulphide (G). Observations are carried out with the aid of automatic gas analysers. The maximum single measurement concentration, equal to 4 MPC, was observed in March.

Concentrations of ammonia (G). Observations are carried out with the aid of automatic gas analysers. The average concentration during the monitoring period was below MPC. Maximum single measurement concentration, equal to MPC, was observed in December.

Air pollution level: higher than average

Information about monitoring network in Selenginsk settlement. Observations are carried out at 2 on-site stations of the State Service for Air Pollution Monitoring (SSAPM). Stations are divided into “urban background”, in residential areas (station 1) and “industrial”, located close to businesses (station 2).

Concentrations of sulphur dioxide. Average annual and maximum single measurement concentrations were well below 1 MPC. The annual change of average concentrations demonstrates a growth during the cold period of the year, which is due to heating season.

Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. Average annual concentration is below 1 MPC and also below air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation. The annual change of average concentrations demonstrates a growth during the cold period of the year. Maximum single measurement concentration amounted to 3.2 MPC and was observed in January at station 1; it was also almost 2-fold above the air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation.

Concentrations of nitrogen oxide. Average annual and maximum single measurement concentration didn’t exceed 1 MPC and were below the air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation.

Concentrations of suspended solids. Average annual concentration exceeded MPC by 1.2 times and was 1.4 times above average air pollution index in Asian cities of Russia. Maximum single measurement concentration amounted to 2.4 MPC in August at station 1, but didn’t exceed the air pollution index in Asian cities of Russia.

Concentrations of carbon monoxide. Average annual concentration was below MPC and below average air pollution index in Asian cities of Russia. The distribution of impurities in the air basin of the settlement is relatively even. Maximum single measurement concentration was equal to MPC and didn’t exceed air pollution index in Asian cities of Russia.

Concentration of benzo(a)pyrene. Average annual concentration amounted to 6.4 MPC which is 2-fold above the average air pollution index in Asian cities of Russia. Maximum of monthly average concentrations equal to 18.7 MPC was registered in February and exceeded the air pollution index in Asian cities part of the Russian Federation by 1.5 times.

Concentrations of specific impurities

Concentrations of formaldehyde. Average concentration doesn’t exceed 1 MPC and doesn’t exceed air pollution index in Asian cities of Russia. Maximum single measurement concentration exceeded 1.6 MPC (in December at station 1) but didn’t exceed the air pollution index in Asian cities of Russia.

Concentrations of phenol. Average annual concentrations don’t exceed 1 MPC and don’t exceed air pollution index in Asian cities of Russia. Maximum single measurement concentration, equal to 1.2 MPC, was observed in January at station 2, and didn’t exceed average air pollution index in Asian cities of Russia.

Concentrations of hydrogen sulphide. Annual average concentration amounted to 0.0018 mg/m³. Maximum single measurement concentration of hydrogen sulphide, equal to 2.9 MPC, was observed in December at station 2.

Concentrations of soluble sulphates. Annual average concentration amounted to 0.014 mg/m³ and changed little in recent years.

Concentrations of ozone (G). Observations are carried out at station 1 with the aid of automatic gas analysers. Average concentrations over the observation period exceeded MPC by 1.9 times. Maximum single measurement concentration, equal to MPC, was observed in April.

Concentrations of ammonia (G). Observations are carried out at station 2 with the aid of automatic gas analysers. Average concentrations over the observation period didn’t exceed MPC. Maximum single measurement concentration, exceeding 2.3 MPC, was observed in November.

Air pollution level: very high, due to high content of annual average concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene and suspended substances in the air. For many years Selenginsk has been included in the Priority list of cities with the highest levels of air pollution in Russia.

Information about monitoring network in Ulan-Ude. Observations are carried out at 3 points (stations). Stations are divided into “industrial” in the zone of industrial enterprises’ influence (station 4), “residential” (station 1) and “auto”, near highways (2). Sampling of air is carried out for major impurities (nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide) and specific impurities: hydrogen sulphide, ozone and ammonia with the aid of automatic gas analysers. Additionally experimental measurements of concentrations of suspended particles PM-10 and PM -2.5 are conducted.

Concentrations of sulphur dioxide. Average annual concentration is below 1 MPC and is equal to air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation. In observance of annual change of concentrations an increase during the cold period up to 0.022 mg/m³ in January was detected. Maximum single measurement concentration didn’t exceed MPC and didn’t exceed air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation.

Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. Average annual concentration amounted to 1.1 MPC and was 1.1 above the air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation. In observance of annual change of monthly concentrations, an increase during the cold period up to 0.069 mg/m³was detected in February. The maximum single measurement concentration, equal to 2 MPC, was observed in November (station 4) and was 1.3 times above the air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation. Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide for “Construction train 398” didn’t exceed 1 MPC.

Concentrations of nitrogen oxide. Average annual concentration was below 1 MPC and below the air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation. In observance of annual change of concentrations, an increase during the cold period up to 0.045 mg/m³ was detected in November. The maximum single measurement concentration was 1.1 times above MPC in September (station 4), and was 1.3 times above the air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation.

Concentrations of suspended solids. Average annual concentration was 1.8 times above MPC and 2.1 times higher that the air pollution index of Asian part of the Russian Federation. With regard to annual change of concentrations, the highest value in the city amounted to 2.4 MPC during the spring period. Maximum single measurement concentration amounted to 4.6 MPC and was observed in Zheleznodorozhny district at station 1 in June, that being 1.8 times higher than air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation.

Maximum single measurement concentration of dust for “Construction train no. 398” amounted to 2.6 MPC in April.

Concentrations of carbon monoxide. Average annual concentration was below 1 MPC and below the air pollution index of Asian part of the Russian Federation. In observance of annual change of average values, an increase up to 1.1 mg/m³ was detected during the cold period of the year. Maximum single measurement concentration of 2.6 MPC was recorded in December at station 1, which is 1.7 times higher than air pollution index of Asian part of the Russian Federation.

Concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene. Average annual concentration amounted to 7.2 MPC, which is 2.4 times above air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation. Average monthly concentrations were fluctuating during the year from 04 MPC (summer) to 24 MPC (winter). The maximum of monthly average concentrations amounted to 24.2 MPC in January in the Oktyabrsky district, station 2, and was almost double of air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation.

Concentrations of specific impurities

Concentrations of formaldehyde. Average annual concentration amounted to 1.1 MPC. In observance of annual change of average values, an increase was detected during the cold period of the year. Maximum single measurement concentration amounted to 1.6 MPC and was observed in June, being 1.3 times lower than the air pollution index in Asian cities of the Russian Federation.

Concentrations of phenol. Average annual concentration was below 1 MPC. In observance of annual change of concentrations the average value was observed in November - 0.0043 mg/m³. Maximum single measurement concentration amounted to 3.3 MPC and was observed in Zheleznodorozhny district, at station 4, in November, which was 1.8 higher than the air pollution index in Asian cities of Russia.

Concentrations of soot. Average annual concentration was equal to MPC. In observance of annual change of average values, an increase up to 0.092 mg/m³ was detected during the cold period of the year. Maximum single measurement concentration amounted to 3.8 MPC and was observed in January.

Concentrations of hydrogen sulphide (G). Average annual concentration amounted to 0.0011 mg/m³ (no daily average MPC). Maximum single measurement concentration amounted to 2.6 MPC, recorded in January in Zhelenodorozhny district at station 4.

Concentrations of ozone (G). Average annual concentration amounted to 1.5 MPC. In observance of change of average values, an increase was registered during the warm period of the year up to 0.076 mg/m³. The maximum single measurement concentration didn’t exceed MPC.

Concentrations of ammonia (G). Average annual and maximum concentrations of ammonia do not exceed 1 MPC.

Concentrations of metals. Compared to the previous year, annual and monthly average concentrations of metals in 2015 decreased.

Air pollution level: very high and is determined by the value API (Air pollution index)₅=25; SI (standard index) =24.2.