Air pollution monitoring and modelling in RTH East Derbyshire.

Previous work on biological monitors for atmospheric lead has been reviewed. Experiments with hair-net and flat nylon-mesh envelope monitors failed to confirm a claim of reproducibility by previous workers, a percentage relative standard deviation of 24.5 for hair-net monitors and 13.4 to 56.7 for flat nylon-mesh envelopes was achieved. An homogenised acid-washed moss monitor in a diffusion tube produced a significant increase in lead deposition. Replicate diffusion tube monitors initially showed poor reproducibility. Homogenisation of the moss to < 1mm and maintained saturation produced a range of % RSD's of 8.6 to 12.8. Samples unwashed with acid showed more depostion than washed samples. Replicate monitors in which moss was replaced with various physical media displayed poor reproducibility. It seems unlikely that such passive monitors can replace established air filtration methods.At the commencement of this study in 1981, two types of dust gauge were in use in the North East Derbyshire area, they were the B.S. Standard Deposit Gauge and the B.S. Direction Dust Gauge. Sampling errors of the British Standard Deposit Gauge had been established by previous workers as being considerable. Proposed models to apply a wind direction correction to amounts of dust collected by Directional Gauges have inherent weaknesses. A new model was developed and its performance improved with successive refinements of input data. Wind data from a localised weather station was applied to the model and showed to improve the performance compared to using remote weather station data.Daily smoke and sulphur dioxide levels at 6 sites covering a 3 year period were used to develop a model which employs data collected at one monitoring station to predict levels in other parts of the area.Precipitation acidity has been measured within the area since 1950. Previous work on precipitation acidity data has been reviewed and an increase in precipitation acidity for the area was indicated.A rationalised air pollution monitoring network is proposed to fulfil the air quality management function for the N.E.D.D.C.