What is a CAMS?

• CAMS stands for Continuous Ambient Monitoring Station.
• The TCEQ operates continuous ambient monitoring sites that measure both air and water pollutants.
• The TCEQ operates continuous air monitoring sites in various metropolitan areas around the state. Continous water monitoring sites are operated in various river basins around the state.
• The EPA has established the following guidelines for the placement of ambient air monitoring stations in metropolitan areas.
• A minimum of two ozone monitors are required in metropolitan areas with a population of at least 200,000.
• A minimum of two carbon monoxide monitors are required in metropolitan areas with a population of at least 500,000.
• A minimum of two nitrogen oxide monitors are required in metropolitan areas with a population of at least 1,000,000.

What does a CAMS do?

• A CAMS is a small building or shelter that houses instruments that measure the amount of pollutants , nutrients, or other parameters in the atmosphere or in a body of water.
• A small pump draws in outside air (or water) which is then distributed to the instruments housed in the shelter.
• Different instruments measure different parameters.
• The TCEQ operates instruments that measure the following pollutants in the air:
• Nephelometer B sp - 450 nanometers
• 3-Methyl-1-Butene And Cyclopentene
• 2-Methylhexane And 2-3-Dimethylpentane
• Silane
• NOz
• Nephelometer B sp - 520 nanometers (green light band)
• Nephelometer Visibility SVR-IMPROVE (km)
• Nephelometer Visibility SVR-IMPROVE (miles)
• Nephelometer Fine Particulate Mass
• Total Suspended Particulate (Lcl)
• bsp Nephelometer
• Nephelometer FPM
• Carbon Monoxide
• Carbon Disulfide
• Water
• Hydrochloric Acid
• Nitric Acid
• Sulfur Dioxide
• Hydrogen Sulfide
• NOy
• Nitric Oxide
• Nitrogen Dioxide
• Oxides of Nitrogen
• Ammonia
• Nitrous Oxide
• NOz
• Sum of PAMS Target Compounds
• Total Non-Methane Organic Compounds
• N-Dodecane
• Cis/Trans-2-Butene
• Ethane
• Ethylene
• Propane
• Propylene
• Acetylene
• N-Butane
• Iso-Butane
• Trans-2-Butene
• Cis-2-Butene
• 1,3 Butadiene
• n-Pentane
• Iso-Pentane
• 1-Pentene
• Trans-2-Pentene
• Cis-2-Pentene
• 2-Methyl-2-Butene
• 3-Methylpentane
• n-Hexane
• N-Heptane
• N-Octane
• 4-Methyl-1-Pentene
• N-Nonane
• N-Decane
• Cyclopentane
• Isoprene
• 2,2-Dimethylbutane
• 2-Methyl-1-Pentene
• 2,4-Dimethylpentane
• Cyclohexane
• 3-Methylhexane
• 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
• 2,3,4-Trimethylpentane
• 3-Methylheptane
• Methylcyclohexane
• Methylcyclopentane
• 2-Methylhexane
• Iso-Butene
• 1-Butene
• 3-Methyl-1-Butene
• 2,3-Dimethylbutane
• 2-Methylpentane
• Trans-2-Hexene
• Cis-2-Hexene
• 2,3-Dimthylpentane
• Methanol
• n-Butyl Alcohol
• Methyl-Tert-Butyl Ether
• Ethyl Acrylate
• Formaldehyde
• Acetaldehyde
• Ethylene Oxide
• Propylene Oxide
• Acrylonitrile
• Dichloromethane
• Chloroform
• Dichloroethane 1,2 (EDC)
• N-Undecane
• 2-Methylheptane
• Ozone
• M/P Xylene
• Benzene
• Toluene
• Ethyl Benzene
• O-Xylene
• 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
• 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
• N-Propylbenzene
• Isopropylbenzene
• O-Ethyltoluene
• M-Ethyltoluene
• P-Ethyltoluene
• M-Diethylbenzene
• P-Diethylbenzene
• Styrene
• 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene
• Naphtalene
• PM-10 (Standard Conditions)
• PM Coarse PM-10
• PM-10 (Local Conditions)
• PM10-2.5 Local Conditions
• PM-2.5 (Local Conditions)
• OCX Carbon PM2.5 LC
• Organic Carbon PM2.5 LC
• Nitrate PM2.5 LC
• Elemental Carbon PM2.5 LC
• R&P PM-2.5 NO3
• Total Carbon PM2.5 LC
• Black Carbon PM2.5
• Optical EC PM2.5 LC TOT
• Sulfate PM2.5 LC
• PM-2.5 (Local Conditions) Acceptable
• The TCEQ operates instruments that measure the following nutrients in bodies of water or physical properties of bodies of water:
• Oxidation Reduction Potential
• Surface Water Temperature
• Water Flow Rate
• Water Velocity
• Aqualab Nitrate Blank
• Aqualab Ammonia Blank
• Aqualab TRP Blank
• Water Flow Rate YTD in acre feet
• Reservoir Water Elevation
• Gage Height
• Sample Depth
• Water Level
• Surface Specific Conductance
• Water Ammonia
• Water Nitrate
• Dissolved Oxygen Charge
• Chlorophyll
• Turbidity
• Water Total Reactive Phosphorus
• Water Ammonia mg/L
• Water Fluorescence %
• Water Total Phosphorus
• Total Dissolved Solids
• Surface Dissolved Oxygen
• Dissolved Oxygen ppm
• Surface Water pH
• Salinity
• Aqualab Cabinet Temperature
• Aqualab Barometer
• Aqualab Specific Conductance Standard Check
• Aqualab Specific Conductance Base Check
• Aqualab DO Standard Check
• Aqualab pH Standard Check
• Aqualab Turbidity Check
• Aqualab DO Membrane Temperature
• Aqualab DO Body Temperature
• Aqualab Ammonia Standard 1 Check
• Aqualab Ammonia Standard 2 Check
• Aqualab Nitrate Standard 1 Check
• Aqualab Nitrate Standard 2 Check
• Aqualab TRP Zero Check
• Aqualab TRP Standard 1 Check
• Aqualab TRP Standard 2 Check
• Soil Specific Conductivity
• Soil Salinity
• Soil Moisture
• Depth to Groundwater
• Groundwater Specific Conductance
• Groundwater pH
• Groundwater Temperature C
• Bottom Sample Depth
• Bottom Dissolved Oxygen Charge
• Soil Temperature C
• Some of the CAMS operated by TCEQ also contain instruments that measure local meteorological conditions. These conditions, especially winds and temperature, can greatly affect the amount of pollutants in an area.
• Local meteorological conditions that are measured include:
• PM Coarse Cabinet Temperature
• Extinction Coefficient
• Day/Night Flag
• Present Weather
• Present Weather Obscuration
• Wind Speed
• Wind Direction
• Resultant Wind Speed
• Resultant Wind Direction
• Maximum Wind Gust
• Standard Deviation of Horizontal Wind Direction
• Outdoor Temperature
• Dew Point Temperature
• Delta Temperature
• Relative Humidity
• Visibility
• Solar Radiation
• Ultraviolet Radiation
• Net Radiation
• Barometric Pressure
• Precipitation