Discussion Document

Limpopo Environmental Outlook Report2016

1st DRAFT

Chapter 10: Air Quality and Atmosphere for the Limpopo Province, South Africa

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This document is an ongoing outcome of a consultative process that underpins the Limpopo Environmental Outlook (LEO) Report 2016. It can be quoted only with the explicit and written permission of LEDET. It has been reviewed by specialists in the field, as well as members of the provincial Steering Committee for the LEO Project. All LEO Reports are distributed as widely as possible, for inputs and comments.

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This document was prepared by EcoAfrica under the aegis of Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), for stakeholders to engage with the environmental assessment and reporting. Its date of release is the 9th December, 2015.

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Table of Contents

List of Acronyms........................................................................................................................................3

1. Introduction........................................................................................................................................4

2. Drivers, Pressures and State...............................................................................................................5

3. Impacts and Trends............................................................................................................................9

4. Global Change Aspects.....................................................................................................................13

5. Responses .......................................................................................................................................13

6. Conclusions and Recommendations.................................................................................................13

7. References .......................................................................................................................................20

List of Figures

Figure 1: Location of major industrial sources of emissions in the Limpopo Province as recorded in the AQMP (LEDET, 2013)...................................................................................................................6

Figure 2: Preferable choice of domestic fuel for cooking per Local Municipality in the Limpopo Province (excluding electricity) (StatsSA, 2012)...........................................................................7

Figure 2: Annual trends in PM10, NOX, SO2 concentrations for 2012 to 2015 at different monitoring stations......................................................................................................................................10

Figure 3: Estimated emission in tons per annum for the Limpopo Province per type of source for TSP, PM10, NOx, SO2 (LEDET, 2013)....................................................................................................11

List of Tables

Table 1: Summary of indicators considered for the air quality assessment of the Limpopo Province....5Table 2: Summary of predicted impacts at the four “hot-spot” areas within Limpopo Province.........12Table 3: Air Quality Management Plan Development and Implementation Status at June 2015.........14Table 4: Monitoring stations within the Limpopo province..................................................................16Table 5: Scenarios of intervention for Air Quality related strategies....................................................17Table 6: Summary of the outlook for Air Quality based on indicators considered...............................19

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List of Acronyms

AEL Atmospheric Emission LicenseAQ Air QualityAQMP Air Quality Management PlanAQO Air Quality OfficerCDM Capricorn District UniversityCO Carbon monoxideDEA Department of Environmental AffairsDM District MunicipalityEI Emissions InventoryEIA Environmental Impact AssessmentGHG Greenhouse gasesGLC Ground Level ConcentrationH₂S Hydrogen sulphideIARC International Agency for Research on CancerLBAEI Limpopo Baseline Assessment and Emissions InventoryLEDET Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment & TourismLGP Liquefied Petroleum gasLM Local MunicipalityLP Limpopo ProvinceMDM Mopani District MunicipalityNAAQS National Ambien Air Quality StandardsNAEIS National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory SystemNEMAQA National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 39 of 2004NO₂ Nitrogen dioxideO3 OzonePAHs Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsPM10, PM2.5 Particulate material with an aerodynamic dimeter inferior to 10 and 2.5 µmppb Particulates per billionSAAQIS South African Air Quality Information SystemSDM Sekhukhune District MunicipalitySO₂ Sulphur dioxideTSP Total suspended solidsVOCs Volatile organic carbonsWBPA Waterberg-Bojanala Priority AreaWDM Waterberg District Municipality

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1. Introduction

The quality of the air is a critical factor that affects not only human health, but also wildlife, vegetation, water and soils. The presence of toxic chemicals in the air can trigger respiratory problems, cause cancer or even death; these chemicals can react to form acid rain and reduce the agriculture yield production or contaminate water bodies. Typical sources of pollutants include coal power stations, the mineral industry, mining, agriculture, domestic fuel burning and vehicle tailpipe emissions; all recurrent activities within the Limpopo Province.

The World Health Organization estimated that in a year almost 7 million people die prematurely around the world from air pollution exposure (WHO, 2012). The largest responsible being indoor air pollution from residential use of ‘dirty fuels’ in places like China and India. Power generation and traffic are a threat for countries such as the US, while in Europe and Russia the biggest culprit is agriculture. It is estimated that 37% of the most prevalent childhood diseases in Limpopo are respiratory related diseases (Thompson, et al., 2012).

Particulate material, or PM, contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that can be inhaled and get into the blood stream or deep into the lungs, causing serious respiratory and cardiovascular problems. PM also has an influence on acid rain and climate change. Short term exposure to sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) have been related to various adverse respiratory effects. SO2 reacts on the atmosphere leading to secondary formation of PM, while NOx influences eutrophication and ozone formation.

Main air quality concerns for the Limpopo Province (LP) are related to the concentrations of particulate material, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from mining activities, power generation, metallurgical activities and biomass burning. More localized concerns are related to pollution originating from domestic fuel burning, vehicle tailpipe emissions, and biomass burning.

The review of the state of the air quality in the province is done from the ambient concentration, sources of emissions, potential for impact and response point of view. The indicators used for the analysis are described in below.

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What about Soil Acidification?

One of the major issues regarding soil degradation in South Africa is Soil Acidification. Sulphur and nitrogen emissions react with water molecules to create acids that are deposited in the soil and water bodies.

The Highveld area in Mpumalanga has observed to be sensitive to acid deposition, unsurprisingly this area is where the greatest of the South African coal-fired electricity plants and petrochemical and metallurgical industries are concentrated (Josipovic, 2009).

Soil fertility degradation is serious in small-scale farming areas and also in some commercial cropping areas; areas surrounding and downwind emitters are expected to be more susceptible.

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Table 1: Summary of indicators considered for the air quality assessment of the Limpopo Province

Indicators Considered Description and CommentAmbient Ambient Air Quality

(PM10, SO2, NO2)Comparison of the recorded ambient concentration compared with the national standard

Number of operational Air Quality monitoring stations

As continuous monitoring stations that record pollutants of concern

Source and impact

Sources of pollutants (PM10, SO2, NO2)

Identification of sources of emissions for the Province

Emissions per source of pollutants (PM10, SO2, NO2)

Total estimated emissions per type of source, per type of pollutant

Total emissions (PM10, SO2, NO2)

Total estimated emissions for the province per type of pollutant

Response

Status of Air Quality Management Plans

Identify the status of the AQMP plans of the district and local AQMP

2. Drivers, Pressures and State

Growing population size carries an increase in demand for energy, materials and minerals. To respond to this demand, existing industrial and commercial activities, transportation and agriculture must be augmented. Unfortunately these human, or anthropogenic, activities release pollutants into the environment that have a negative impact on the quality of the air. Other drivers that can also aggravate the impacts related to poor air quality are demographics and climate patterns.

In Limpopo, the mining sector contributes to 36% of the Province’s economy, and it is expected to thus be a pressure on the quality of the air, especially in terms of particulate material and sulphur dioxides. However, pressures also appear from other industrial activities, transport, domestic fuel burning, agriculture, and veld fires. A quick overview to these pressures and their activities is presented below.

Mining

Minerals and resources mined in the Limpopo Province include coal, iron, platinum, chromium, manganese, copper, gold, diamonds, lime and even asbestos. Quarry type operations are also included, such as sand and clay quarries for brickworks, quarry operations for asphalt production and salt mines. The Department of Mineral Resources recognises about 70 operating mines across all District Municipalities (DMs) of the province, 20 of which are large scale mines (Council for Geoscience, 2015).

On mining operations, particulate matter is the main pollutant of concern. Fugitive dust originates from material handling, vehicle-entrainment by haul trucks and wind-blown dust from tailings impoundments and stockpiles. The use of explosives releases carbon monoxide (CO), and methane emissions are expected from underground mining. High levels of suspended PM increase respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis and asthma in the population on the vicinity of the mines, while gaseous emissions contribute to respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebral problems. Studies carried for the Gauteng and North West province have suggested a high level of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases among elderly people in communities located in a 5 km radius to mine dumps (Vusumuzi, et al., 2015).

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Industrial activities

During the Limpopo Baseline Assessment and Emissions Inventory (LEDET, 2013), more than 300 industrial and commercial operations were recorded. These included large and small scale power generation, mining (including clay, and asphalt), wood processing, incinerators, fertilizer manufacturing, metallurgical processing, mineral processing, animal matter processing, among others. Figure 1 displays the distribution of these facilities across the province (where coordinates for location were available).

Figure 1: Location of major industrial sources of emissions in the Limpopo Province as recorded in the AQMP (LEDET, 2013).

Power generation, including expected emissions from Medupi Power Station, has been identified as the primary source of SO2 and NOx industrial emissions in the Limpopo Province. Brick manufacturing and small boilers also seem to be an important source of PM; while the smelters and timber treatments influence largely the SO2 industrial emissions. NOx emissions are mainly emitted from small boilers.

Domestic fuel burning

The use of wood, coal, paraffin, LGP, or dung for heating and cooking, and candles for lighting is still a common practice in many areas across South Africa; Limpopo in particular is the greatest domestic user of wood in the country. This is explicated by poor adoption of electricity, low cost of the fuels, low household income, or cultural diversity.

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Domestic fuel burning however, is an inefficient combustion process that produces several harmful substances. Biomass and coal smoke have been described by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as ‘probably carcinogen’ and ‘human carcinogen’ respectively. The type and amount of pollutants from domestic fuel burning depends on the type of fuel and the technology used for combustion; but typical pollutants include PM, SO2, heavy metals, NOx, CO, PAHs, and benzo(a)pyrene.

Indoor air pollution sources are important causes of urban outdoor air pollution, especially in cities where many homes use biomass fuels or coal for heating and cooking. The low temperatures of combustion, and short release height prevent the smoke and its contents from being dispersed in the atmosphere, increasing the ground level concentrations of pollutants.

Wood is the most common choice of fuel in the Limpopo Province. The highest proportion of users is found in the Vhembe and Mopani District Municipality (DM). Paraffin is also used but in much smaller amount, especially in the Capricorn and Waterberg DM. Coal is mainly used within the Greater Sekhukhune DM due to proximity to the collieries (StatsSA, 2012). Figure 2 presents the preferable choice of fuel for cooking needs in the households of the municipalities of Limpopo.

Figure 2: Preferable choice of domestic fuel for cooking per Local Municipality in the Limpopo Province (excluding electricity) (StatsSA, 2012)

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Agriculture

Agricultural activities within the province primarily include cattle farms, game farms, fruit trees and crop production. PM is the main pollutant of concern from agricultural activities as particulate emissions derive from windblown dust, tillage and harvesting, and dust entrainment as a result of heavy vehicles travelling. Chemicals associated with crop spraying and odour emissions resulting from manure, fertilizer and crop residue have been identified as a main concern.

Even though agricultural activities are acknowledged as a contributing source of specifically PM10

emissions within the province, these sources were not quantified as part of the Limpopo Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP).

Veld fires

Within the Limpopo Province, wild (veld) fires may represent significant sources of combustion-related emissions (Maenhaut, et al., 1996), affecting mainly the savanna biome. Wildfires are most extensive in the province between the months of July and September, as it coincides with the dry season.

Biomass burning is an incomplete combustion process of organic matter, with major amounts of NO x

and CO gases being emitted. One of the main concerns when talking about biomass burning is its high potential for sulphur and nitrate emissions to react in the environment and create minute particles (of size smaller to 2.5µm in aerodynamic diameter) and hence the potential health risk associated with it. A very unique type of PM2.5, largely generated in veld fires, is black carbon, this pollutant traps heat affecting the temperature in the atmosphere and therefore influencing atmospheric chemistry and climate change. Veld fires are also a substantial source of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2).

Despite its significance, actions by authorities to control such occurrences and impacts are limited. Fire regimes are mostly of natural occurrence to maintain the ecosystem. However, from the air quality management point of view, information regarding emissions from fires can assist in the interpretation of ambient air data (i.e. background emissions in the atmosphere).

Transport

Vehicle emissions are a significant source of CO and NOx. The significance of vehicle emissions in terms of their contribution to air pollutant concentrations and health risks is enhanced by the low level at which the emissions occur, and the proximity of such releases to high exposure areas. Vehicle emissions also tend to peak in the early morning and evenings, at which time atmospheric dispersion potentials are reduced.

In the Limpopo Province, main emissions from transportation are expected from the national roads N1 and N11 in the Waterberg and Vember DM. These roads experience a high flow of vehicles and heavy duty vehicles as they are the connecting point between South Africa and Zimbabwe and Botswana.

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3. Impacts and Trends

Impacts in air quality must be evaluated from three different perspectives to obtain a comprehensive understanding:

Ambient air quality Emission’s totals per sector Dispersion potential and impacts.

The measured ambient air quality indicates the real concentration of pollutants at ground level concentration, which is what the population is actually exposed to. Estimated emissions per sector are helpful to identify the main sources of emission and develop mitigation strategies applicable to those sources. A dispersion model and impact assessment will inform the potential areas of risk after the pollutants have been dispersed.

Ambient air quality

The most common pollutants on air include sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), ozone (O3), particulate matter and volatile organic carbons (VOCs). These pollutants have been identified as “criteria” pollutants in the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 39 of 2004 (NEMAQA). The maximum acceptable ambient concentration of criteria pollutants is set by the Department of Environmental Affairs through the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

Present ambient concentrations are measured through a network of monitoring stations across the country. Monitoring stations in Limpopo tend to be localised in and around major industrial and urban centres. There are a total number of 21 "Government-owned" air quality monitoring stations (stations owned and operated by DEA, LEDET and Local Authorities) in use, and 25 stations owned and operated by industry. Of the government stations, only a few make use of continuous samplers; the majority is making use of passive samplers.

Currently only 5 stations report to the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS), these are: The three stations in the Waterberg DM as part of the monitoring of the Waterberg-Bojanala Priority Area (WBPA) (since 2013), the LEDET owned station in Phalaborwa (since 2013), and an Eskom owned station in Marapong (since 2011). In the last 2 years, power failures from load shedding have resulted in significant loss of data. The annual trends in ambient concentration for PM10, NOX and SO2 can be seen in Figure 3 and are described below.

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Figure 3: Annual trends in PM10, NOX, SO2 concentrations for 2012 to 2015 at different monitoring stations

There is not sufficient data coverage for some of the years, which makes it difficult to visualise a trend in the concentration of pollutants. Available data seems to suggest not compliance with PM10

standards in the proximities of Mokopane, Thabazimbi and Marapong; however it is difficult to make an assumption given the inconsistencies of the logged data. Regarding NO2, monthly and annual averages are low and are not expected to exceed hourly or annual NAAQS limits. And the existent AQMPs for Waterberg, Greater Sekhukhune and Capricorn DMs and recorded data at the five SAAQIS stations did not report exceedances of SO2 emissions, and it was not expected to exceed.

However, there is potential for SO2 exceedances at the Marapong and Lephalale stations once the Medupi Power Station is fully operational. Although Medupi is planned to have a Flue Gas Desulphurization system, which may reduce SO2 emission up to 90%, this will only be installed six years after the six units of the station are commissioned (ESKOM, n.d.).

Sources of emission

The Limpopo Province completed an Emissions Inventory (EI) for the first time in 2013, to inform the provincial AQMP (LEDET, 2013). Total estimated emissions in tons per annum for the Limpopo Province were estimated at 168 605 for PM10, 702 941 for SO2 and 201 866 NOX; a display per source is presented in Figure 4.

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Existent APPA licenses, AEL applications, EIAs, the first draft of the Waterberg EI, among other sources of information, were used to generate this EI. Expected emissions from future operations of Medupi Power station were also considered. This inventory will be updated in 2018 when the AQMP is due for review. By then, all listed emitters would have been issued with an AEL improving the quality of the input information.

Figure 4: Estimated emission in tons per annum for the Limpopo Province per type of source for TSP1, PM10, NOx, SO2 (LEDET, 2013)

From this first level emissions inventory it is evident that the main sources of SO2 and NOx are the power generation activities within the Waterberg DM. Even with an updated Emissions Inventory, it is unlikely that other areas and sources will change the significance from the power generation contribution to total provincial SO2 and NOx emissions.

1 TSP: Total suspended particulates

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Small boilers, mining operations (both coal and metallurgical) are the main sources of PM 10. The main contributor to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and CO is biomass burning. Vehicle tailpipe emissions are the main source of hydrocarbons, specifically within the Districts of Waterberg, Capricorn and Vhembe. VOCs are primarily from wood treatment works and these are mainly restricted to Mopani DM (LEDET, 2013).

Impacts

The scale of air quality impacts depends on the type of source, the emission rates and the dispersion potentials. To investigate these impacts in the Limpopo Province, four “hot-spot” areas were selected for dispersion modelling. These four regions and the main findings from the modelling results are provided below in Table 2.

Table 2: Summary of predicted impacts at the four “hot-spot” areas within Limpopo Province

Identified Areas

Reason for selection Main pollutant

Main sources of concern Significance

Polokwane Presence of a high number of sources but limited monitoring data

PM10 Brickworks and asphalt plant MediumSO2 Smelters Medium

Lephalale House of power generation facilities and large coal mines

PM10 Mining operations HighSO2 Power plants Medium

Phalaborwa Counts with a copper smelter, fertiliser manufacturing and two large open cast mines

PM10 Mining operations MediumSO2 Smelter and fertiliser

productionHigh

Steelpoort area Significant number of mines. PM10 Mining operations High

The main area of concern is around Phalaborwa due to very high SO2 concentrations impacting the town. Within the Steelpoort area the main sources are the numerous mining operations within close proximity to villages and homesteads resulting in high PM10 ground level concentrations. PM10 is a concern around the opencast mines in the area of Lephalale and it is predicted to exceed at nearby settlements. SO2 is a concern more due to the planned operations of Medupi than to the current situation. The predicted impacts within the Polokwane area are mainly localised and rated as of medium significance.

Atmospheric transport of pollutants

The long-range transportation of pollutants happens because of the presence of prevailing winds. From August to October it is likely that ambient air quality in the southern west of the province will be affected by the transport of pollutants associated with biomass burning in the sub-equator. Direct transport of pollutants from the Highveld region is also expected. Likewise, emissions from the Waterberg DM are anticipated to be transported and influence background concentrations in the North West Province.

However, besides the possibility of exceedances, long-range transportation of pollutants is a concern because it is likely to build up secondary pollutants with particulate size smaller than 2.5µm, which are extreme harmful for its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs.

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4. Global Change Aspects

Climate change and air pollution are closely related, most of the activities that cause air pollution also emit greenhouse gases (GHG). Air pollutants such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter contribute directly to global warming. Higher concentrations of ozone in the troposphere affect the climate, and these are dependent on methane, CO, NOX and VOCs emissions. Other natural sources of ozone are lightning and transport from the stratosphere.

Particulate pollution affects climate directly and indirectly. Direct impacts are given by its ability to absorb/scatter light. Particles such as black carbon absorbs the sunlight heating the atmosphere, while sulphates and nitrates may have a cooling effect. Indirect effects on climate include changes in the reflectivity of clouds, or indirect influence in cloud lifetime and precipitation, to mention some.

Similarly, climate change aggravates the effects of air pollution. For example, the pollution effects of ozone and particulate matter are strongly influenced by shifts in the weather (i.e. heat waves, droughts) (EPA, 2011). Fortunately most of the efforts for improving air quality also help to reduce GHG.

In March 2014, the DEA published a draft declaration of GHG as priority air pollutants. Once enacted, these regulations and declaration will together require emitters of GHGs to provide a pollution prevention plan to reduce GHG emissions to the DEA for consideration and approval.

5. Responses

From a policy point of view, the nation and the province have formulated strategies for response, management an intervention of the air quality of the province.

Air Quality IndicatorsIn South Africa, the NAAQS are the maximum acceptable concentration levels of criteria pollutants at ground level. It also specifies the maximum allowed exceedances per type of pollutant and averaging period. These standards were given in terms of section 9 of the NEMAQA in 2009 and 2012 for PM 2.5.

More strict limits for PM10 and Benzene are to be enforced from 2015 and 2016 for PM2.5.

Atmospheric Emissions Licenses, Controlled emitters and By-Laws

Since 2013, by mandate of Section 21 of the NEMAQA, industrial and materials processing activities that are likely to result in atmospheric emissions are required to apply for atmospheric emissions licenses (AEL). These activities are classified into ten categories, each one with a minimum emission standard per relevant pollutant. The minimum emission standards differentiate between new and existing facilities, and make provision for gradual reduction of emissions by setting more constricted limits to be comply by 2015 and 2020.

Out of the 5 DMs, only the CDM has implemented a licensing system; up to date they have received ten applications and issued three licenses. The other four DMs have delegated the function to the LEDET, who has received 68 applications and issued 36 licenses. These AELs provide the authorities with a legal mandate to control emissions from these sources.

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For the case of non-listed activities with the potential for atmospheric emissions, the government can declare them as a controlled emitter, and set emissions limits for it. So far the government has declared three controlled emitters: Small boilers, temporary asphalt production, and small-scale charcoal plants. These must be identified by the Province and initiate the applicable licensing process.

The municipality can also impose more strict emission limits, or control additional sources by means of the declaration of By-laws; which would apply to its area of jurisdiction.

Priority areas

An area where there is concern of elevated atmospheric pollutant concentrations can be declared an Airshed Priority Area in terms of the Section 18 of the NEMAQA. Through this mechanism, the DEA can focus attention and resources to improve its air quality. The preparation of plans is undertaken by the national air quality officer, in consultation with the relevant provincial air quality officers and stakeholders located in the area.

In 2010 the DEA declared the Waterberg DM as a Priority Area, later in 2012 it included the Bojanala Platinum DM in the North-West Province to form in the Waterberg-Bojanala Priority Area. Although the current state of the air quality of the area is not a problem, planned expansion of power generation capacity for South Africa and Botswana possess a future risk to its ambient air quality.

Air Quality Management Plans

An Air Quality Management Plan describes the current state of air quality in an area, how it has been changing over recent years, and what could be done to ensure clean air quality in a region. A province responsible for preparing an environmental implementation plan and/or environmental management plan is required to include an AQMP as part of that plan (NEMAQA Section 15), and each municipality is required to include an AQMP in its integrated development plan.

The Limpopo Province completed its AQMP in 2013, stating the vision and the goals of the province for air quality. The Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg DMs have already developed their AQMP; the remaining two DMs are currently working on it. The Waterberg DM as part of the Waterberg-Bojanala Priority Area also has an AQMP whose draft was published in April 2015. Out of the 25 local municipalities, only the Limpopo LM in the CDM has developed a local AQMP. However, although most of the plans are there, implementation remains a challenge within the province.

Table 3: Air Quality Management Plan Development and Implementation Status at June 2015

District Municipality AQMP Status

Capricorn Due to review 5

Mopani Under development

2

Sekhukhune Under implementation 4

Vhembe Under development 2

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Waterberg Under implementation 4

Emission Inventory

An Emissions Inventory is a useful informative tool for management of the air quality, and it needs to be continuously revised and updated. The current EI would be the baseline to evaluate performance of the implemented reduction strategies in the province. Limpopo uses an "Emissions Inventory Calculator" to facilitate the tasks of quantification and tracking. In future all existent EIs will report to the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory System (NAEIS).

The updated version of the EI should: Make use of the AEL licenses to inform emissions and location of facilities, as well as to identify

industries that had and APPA license but are no longer operational. Include the final EI for the Waterberg DM from the WBPA AQMP. Notify regarding small boilers that are still operational, their location, fuel, and activity rate. Include data from the national vehicle emissions inventory. Use more recent data than the 2011 census data for the household fuel combustion. Include agricultural sources of emission.

Ambient Monitoring

Limited ambient monitored data exist in the province with poor data availability from most of the stations. Most of SAAQIS reporting stations have recorded data since 2013, however current data presents significant gaps due to load shedding. No updated information could be attained for this report more than that managed by SAAQIS.

Out of the four Hot-Spots identified by the Province, only one counts with a LEDET owned station, Phalaborwa. There is another planned station for Steelpoort. Lack of financial resources is the main concern, as each station has an estimated cost of R 2.8 million. It is the goal and the need of the province to have at least one monitoring station in each Hot-Spot area.

As part of the licensing process, the Directorate have required from the big emitters to monitor ambient air quality where they are operating. Eskom in the Waterberg DM, Anglo in Polokwane and Palabora Mining Company in Phalaborwa are actively monitoring air quality. presents the government owned monitoring stations and its current status.

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Table 4: Monitoring stations within the Limpopo province

Owner No. of Stations Location Status Reporting to

SAAQISCONTINUOUS REAL-TIME AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MOITORING

LEDET 1 Phalaborwa (Frans du Toit School) Commissioned 2013 Yes 2

SDM 1 Greater Tubatse (Dilokong Hospital) Commissioned 2012 No

0

MDM 1 Tzaneen Disaster Centre Commissioned 2014 No 0

DEA (WBPA) 3 Lephalale, Thabazimbi & Mokopane Commissioned

2012 Yes 2PORTABLE CONTINUOUS AIR QUALITY MONITORING SYSTEMS

LEDET 1 Musina Municipal Office Complex (Nancefield) Installation in Progress N/A 1

CDM 5 Polokwane, Lepelle-Nkupi, Blouberg, Aganang & Molemole Operational since 2011 No 0

WDM 4 Mookgophong, Modimolle, Mokgalakwena & Thabazimbi Commissioned 2014 No 0

PASSIVE SAMPLING CAMPAIGNS

CDM 5 Polokwane, Lepelle-Nkupi, Blouberg, Aganang, Molemole Operational since 2011 No 0

Total 21

Air Quality Monitoring Capacity

Both at provincial and district level, there is an under capacity for the air quality staff to fulfil their functions. The planned organogram for the provincial Directorate identified at least seven people to complete its responsibilities, nonetheless currently there are only three permanent employees. Each one of the DMs has appointed an active Air Quality Officer, however there is a large gap at municipal level where only eight of the local municipalities count with an AQO.

The Limpopo AQMP development process exposed that the authority of the national, provincial and district AQOs are not clearly understood at some levels of government and by some industrial

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operations. It is evident that uncertainty exists about the roles and responsibilities of provincial and local AQOs with regards to air quality management and licensing.

6. Identifying Scenarios

The effects of poor air quality are not rapidly identified, yet they have great influence on the quality of life of the population. The importance of industrial and commercial activities on the province can’t be overstated as it provides for the economic growth of the province, the nation and sustains the already socially depressed population. Conversely, the potential for extraction and industrial activities on the province also restricts its possibility for clean air if preventive measures are not put in place.

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A sustainable scenario for the province include the appropriated implementation of measures for control and prevention over the existent and new sources of emissions. Three intervention scenarios have been identified for the Limpopo Province and the suggested activities implied have been described in .

Table 5: Scenarios of intervention for Air Quality related strategies

Scenario Description Actions Required Relevant Implementer

a) Nothing Changes

Minimum control as per national requirements

- Provision of minimum resources (technical, financial and economic) for the licensing, monitoring and control.-Complete the AQMP for Vhembe and Mopani DM and review the implementation process of the already developed plans.-Undertake regular review of the AQMPs and EI, complete the processing of outstanding AEL applications and identify ‘controlled emitters’.

DEALEDETLDPTDMsLMs

b) Minimal Intervention

Continuous monitoring and control

- Build capacity at municipal level for AQ and emissions monitoring management, and enforcement of the standards.-Expand the monitoring network, including the availability of necessary equipment, personnel and financial resources for the operation.-Roll out the short and medium term activities described in the ‘strategies and intervention plan’ of the Provincial AQMP - Identify local hot spots from domestic fuel combustion and vehicle emissions-Develop strategies to identify and reduce emissions from domestic fuel burning

LEDETLMsLDA

LDSDDMsLMs

c) Maximum Intervention

Implementation of strategies and enforcement

-Support the implementation of RE-off grid technologies for household that undertake fuel burning-Implement air quality awareness campaigns in the communities.-Strategic co-operation with universities or research centres to undertake a study in air quality and public health in areas of concern.-Development of By-laws to enforce compliance of more strict emission limits it required-Restrict areas of air quality concern from household development -Roll out the long term activities described in the ‘strategies and intervention plan’ of the Provincial AQMP, and develop incentives or recognition to good performance of industry

DEALPG

LEDETDMsLMs

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7. Conclusions and Recommendations

Inadequate ambient monitoring information limits the possibility for confident declaring on the outlook for the air quality of the Limpopo Province. However available information suggests that air quality is acceptable within the province in terms of NOX. Although no exceedances were observed in the ambient records for SO2, smelting and fertilizer manufacturing in Phalaborwa is a high concern for the area, there is also an expected increase of SO2 concentration in the surroundings of Lephalale during the unabated operation of Medupi.

The main air quality issue found across the province is particulate material, and the most common source are activities related to mining operations. Areas of concern include Lephalale and Steelpoort. Domestic fuel burning and vehicle emissions were not flagged as major sources on a Provincial scale; yet these are of concern on a local scale and should be investigated. The principal problem from domestic fuel burning and vehicle emissions is the low release height, which means very little potential for dispersion. High concentration of pollutants end up very quickly placed in the breathing space, increasing significantly the health risk of the exposed population.

Other limitations are found with regard available resources (human, technical and financial) for the satisfactory accomplishment of the air quality management tasks of the province.

summarizes the findings of the study in terms of the predefined indicators. Air Quality management activities in the province seem to be relatively new, therefore the main challenge for the assessment has been the availability of information. Nevertheless, current efforts from the provincial government in this regards are commendable and future assessments are anticipated to have a solid baseline for comparison.

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Table 6: Summary of the outlook for Air Quality based on indicators considered

Indicators Considered Quantification TrendAmbient Air Quality(PM10, SO2, NO2)

PM10 Constant exceedance of standards across all stations

SO2: No exceedances NO2: No exceedances

*Concern

StableStable*Information is insufficient to draw a trend for the full province

Number of operational Air Quality monitoring stations

5 SAAQIS reporting stations in 2015 from 1 in 2013

21 government owned 25 private owned

Improving

Sources of pollutants (PM10, SO2, NO2)

More than 300 identified facilities in 2013 baseline

Insufficient information to draw a trend

Emissions per source of pollutants(PM10, SO2, NO2)(tpa)

IndustrialPM10: 31,990; SO2: 697,043; NO2: 170,657 MiningTSP:19 833 Biomass BurningPM10:131,510; SO2: 3,945; NO2: 25,644 Domestic Fuel BurningPM10: 2,194; SO2: 1,953; NO2: 2,615 TrafficPM10: 95; NO2: 2,950

Insufficient information to draw a trend

Total emissions (PM10, SO2, NO2)

PM10: 168 605 tpa SO2: 702 942 tpa NO2: 201 866 tpa

Insufficient information to draw a trend

Status of Air Quality Management Plans

Provincial AQMP developed in 2013 and being implemented

3 out of 5 District AQMP developed in the DM

1 out 25 Local AQMP developed

Improving

Improving

Slowly improving

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Discussion Document

References

Council for Geoscience, 2015. Mineral profile of Limpopo region. [Online] Available at: http://www.geoscience.org.za/index.php/limpopo-region/247-mineral-profile-of-limpopo-region[Accessed 30 10 2015].

EPA, 2011. Climate Change and Air quality, s.l.: United States Environmental Protection Agency.

ESKOM, n.d. COP 17 fact sheet. Air Quality and Climate Change, s.l.: ESKOM.

GSDM, 2008. Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality: Final Air Quality Management Plan, Groblersdal: Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality.

Josipovic, M., 2009. Acid deposition emanating from the South African Highveld - A critical levels and critical loads assemessment, Johannesburg: University of Johannesburg (Ph.D Thesis) .

LEDET, 2013. PROVINCIAL AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN, Polokwane: Limpopo Department of Economic Development Environment and Tourism.

LEDET, 2013. Provincial Air Quality Management Plan Baseline Assessment and Emissions Inventory Report. Polokwane: Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism: Provincial Air Quality Management.

Maenhaut, W. et al., 1996. Regional atmospheric aerosol composition and sources in the eastern Transvaal, South Africa, and impact of biomass burning. Journal of Geophysical Research, pp. 101: 23631-23650..

Ragwato, M., 2012. Personal communication. s.l.:s.n.

StatsSA, 2012. Census 2011, Pretoria: Statistics South Africa.

Thompson, A. A., Kharidza, S. D. & Lirvhuwani, M., 2012. Impact of Climate Change on Children’s Health in Limpopo Province, South Africa. International Journal of Environ Research and Public Health, p. 9(3): 831–854.

Vusumuzi, N., Wichmann, J. & Voyi, K., 2015. Chronic respiratory disease among the elderly in South Africa: any association with proximity to mine dumps?. Environmental Health .

WHO, 2012. Public health, environmental and social determinants of health (PHE). [Online] [Accessed 12 11 15].

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