CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
2.7 JACOBS INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AND ODOUR PRODUCING INDUSTRIES
2.8.2. Odour producing industries in the Jacobs Industrial Complex
2.8.2.2 Odour complaints statistics analyses using Geographic Information System maps
Some of the odour complaints have been logged on a Geographic Information System (GIS) map to help illustrate and provide a view of various odour movements throughout the JIC influenced by various wind vectors. Not all the information could be logged on the GIS maps due to insufficient information presented in the odour complaints statistics. This exercise seeks to show the location (or source) of complainants in relation to various industry categories as listed in the map legend. These maps also clearly indicate areas impacted by certain odours associated with certain wind vectors. Analyses of GIS maps may be useful in understanding the dynamics around certain persistent odour reported with unknown sources. This analysis is aimed at understanding more of the odour complaints dynamics for planning intervention or targeting the correct odour sources. Examples of such GIS maps are shown in Figures 2.16 to 2.19.
Figure 2.16 indicates the complaints associated with NE winds. There were a total of 33 complaints received during the period associated with NE wind direction however only 15 has sufficient information to log into the GIS. The complaints are coming from the direction of Clairwood and Wentworth area. It is observed from this map that common complaints associated with this wind vector are sulphur and chemical odours. Gas, petrol and sulphur odours are clearly indicated to originate from valleys industrial belts areas outside of the JIC.
Ammonia smells can be linked to a company known to handle ammonia located at the corner of Chamberlane and Quality Streets in the JIC. Complaints associated with this wind vector are shown to impact on the JIC by outside sources. This is evident when observing odour complaints received around Landsdown Road, the M4 freeway and Balfour Road which are indicated on the map to originate from the Clairwood area.
Figure 2.16: GIS Arial map showing NE winds related odour complaints and possible sources
The coloured circles indicate the location of all odour associated industries. The colour represents the type of odour for the particular factory. The tail of the arrow indicates the location of the individual odour complaints.
The direction of the arrow indicates the wind direction at the place of the complaint. The text associated with each arrow indicates the nature of the complaint at the time and place.
Figure 2.17 shows odour complaints associated with NW winds. There were a total of 33 complaints received during the period associated with NW wind direction however only 8 had sufficient information to log into the
GIS. The complaints are coming from the direction of Clairwood area. It is observed from the map that most of the complaints are uncategorized odours impacting Austerville and which originate from the JIC. The uncategorized odours can be linked to a company located at the corner of Chamberlane and Hime Streets which uses dowtherm chemical (as a raw material in the manufacturing process) with a very strong indescribable odour. According to the EHP who investigates complaints in the area, a number of accidental leaks of Dowtherm have been reported from the company which triggered many complaints by Austerville residents.
The burning odours shown to impact Wentworth associated with this wind vector can be linked to a sugar manufacturing company located in the Clairwood area.
Figure 2.17: GIS Arial map showing NW winds related odour complaints and possible sources
The coloured circles indicate the location of all odour associated industries. The colour represents the type of odour for the particular factory. The tail of the arrow indicates the location of the individual odour complaints.
The direction of the arrow indicates the wind direction at the place of the complaint. The text associated with each arrow indicates the nature of the complaint at the time and place.
There were a total of 12 complaints received during the period associated with SE wind direction however only 4 has sufficient information to log into the GIS. The complaints are coming from the direction of Wentworth area. It is clear from Figure 2.18 that odour complaints reported at a time associated with SE winds originated from outside the JIC and, due to nature of the complaint, can be linked to nearby refineries.
Figure 2.18: GIS Arial map showing SE winds related odour complaints and possible sources
The coloured circles indicate the location of all odour associated industries. The colour represents the type of odour for the particular factory. The tail of the arrow indicates the location of the individual odour complaints.
The direction of the arrow indicates the wind direction at the place of the complaint. The text associated with each arrow indicates the nature of the complaint at the time and place.
Figure 2.19 is showing odour complaints associated with SW winds. There were a total of 60 complaints received during the period associated with SE wind direction however only 20 has sufficient information to log into the GIS. The complaints are coming from the direction of Austerville area. These complaints include sulphur, IOP (company name), gas and chemical smells. The map clearly indicates an impact on the Wentworth area from the JIC. These odours can be linked to known oleo-chemical and drum reprocessing industries located upwind of the direction of the complaint source. It is also observed that these complaints form the majority of the complaints from the area.
The analysis of complaints related to geographic position and wind direction supports the observation in Figures 2.6 and 2.7 that SW winds are the most prevailing winds in the area hence more odour complaints are associated with these winds. This should be taken into consideration in planning interventions in this area.
Figure 2.19: GIS Arial map showing SW winds related odour complaints and possible sources
The coloured circles indicate the location of all odour associated industries. The colour represents the type of odour for the particular factory. The tail of the arrow indicates the location of the individual odour complaints.
The direction of the arrow indicates the wind direction at the place of the complaint. The text associated with each arrow indicates the nature of the complaint at the time and place.