Davis Aerodrome Project (DAP) – Dust Deposition Monitoring Data

Full description

The Davis Aerodrome Project (DAP) collected a range of environmental survey data over several field seasons to support a comprehensive environmental assessment of the proposed aerodrome. This data includes flora, fauna, soils, lake ecosystem, nearshore, marine, air quality and meteorological information which has been collected by a number of different methods, and extends across the current Davis Station, proposed aerodrome and supporting infrastructure footprint (Ridge Site), previous sites considered for the aerodrome (Heidemann Valley, Adams Flat), as well as locations across the Vestfold Hills away from any of the proposed developments.
This dataset contains dust deposition monitoring results collected for the DAP. Monitoring gauges were installed at three of the four Air Quality sampling sites (AQ1, AQ2, AQ3) in the Vestfold Hills between February and May 2019. Sites were located based on areas of interest to the Year-Round Aviation Access scoping project but also considered site accessibility for collection of samples and equipment maintenance.

Two types of gauges were installed, Australian Standard Dust Gauges (ASDG) and International Standard Dust Gauges (ISDG):
-    AQ1 (Davis Station) – ASDG and ISDG
-    AQ2 (Adams Flat) – ISDG
-    AQ3 (Ridge Site) – ASDG


The set-up of the ASDGs was guided by the procedures set out in Australian Standard AS/NZS 3580.10.1:2016 Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air: Method 10.1: Determination of particulate matter – deposited matter – gravimetric method. The apparatus comprised a glass collection funnel (150mm diameter) sitting in the narrow-neck of a glass bottle (either 4L or 2.5L) which was housed within a PVC cylinder. The bottle had been pre-dosed with copper sulphate to prevent algal growth (10 ml @ 35% concentration). Precipitation (and any particulates) would collect on the funnel and wash into the bottle.
The ASDGs specified in AS/NZS3580.10.1, which are typically deployed in temperate climatic conditions in Australia, had not previously been deployed in Antarctic conditions so consideration was given to the potential for snow accumulation (in the funnel used in this type of gauge) obstructing the collection of dust fall. Acknowledging this potential, ISDGs were also deployed at two of the three stations. The setup of the ISDGs were guided by the procedures set out in the draft International Standard ISO/DIS 4222.2 Air Quality – Measurement of atmospheric dustfall – Horizontal deposit gauge method, which uses a larger cylindrical gauge to capture and contain dustfall. The ISDGs were comprised of a hollow PVC tube (200mm diameter) which collected precipitation and particulates directly. Samples were flushed from the cylinder each monthly into 1L Nalgene flask which were then frozen and returned to Australia for analysis. ASDG bottles were also swapped out monthly at the same time and all returned to Australia for analysis as per the Australian Standard AS3580.10.1.
Temporal Coverage:
-    AQ1 dust deposition ASDG - Start date: 2019-01-28 - Stop date: 2021-11-29
-    AQ1 dust deposition ISDG - Start date: 2019-04-30 - Stop date: 2021-11-29
-    AQ2 dust deposition ISDG – Start date: 2019-11-28 - Stop date: 2021-11-29
-    AQ3 dust deposition ASDG - Start date: 2019-11-28 - Stop date: 2021-11-29
Spatial Coverage
-    AQ1 – Latitude: -68.575622 Longitude: 77.96532
-    AQ2 – Latitude: -68.55417 Longitude: 78.014548
-    AQ3 - Latitude: -68.551938 Longitude: 78.053264

Lineage

Progress Code: completed

Statement: Data collection aimed for the optimal sample exposure period (duration of collection) of 30+/-2 days (as per AS3580.10.1), however this did not always occur. To enable comparison, results have been normalised to a 30 day exposure period to reflect the units g/m2/month. Samples were sent to ALS Environmental, located in Springvale Victoria, for analysis. ALS undertook quality assurance/quality control procedures when processing the requested analytes. Results of these QAQC procedures are provided in the data spreadsheets.

Notes

Purpose
Instruments were installed to measure baseline dust deposition information at three locations of interest identified during the Year-Round Aviation Access scoping project. Dust deposition monitoring at these sites continued under the Davis Aerodrome Project with consideration of their potential use in ongoing monitoring during periods of construction and use if the aerodrome if the project were to proceed.