WMS Services

UK-AIR hosts a range of Web Map Services (WMS) to support viewing of spatial air quality and emissions datasets generated by the monitoring and modelling evidence programmes of Defra and the Devolved Administrations.  The sections below describe the WMS data layers hosted.

UK-AIR's viewing services are published via a WMS conforming to the OGC® Web Map Service Interface Standard.  This services standard provides a simple HTTPS interface for requesting geo-registered map images. The GetCapabilities hyperlinks listed below will return parameters about the WMS such as; map image format, WMS version compatibility, available layers, map bounding box, coordinate reference systems, URI of the data etc.

The WMS layers hosted by UK-AIR are published and licensed under the Open Government Licence. You are free to use these layers in any WMS aware desktop GIS client and to consume them in a third party server applications within the terms of the OGL.

More information on the OGC® Web Map Service Interface Standard.

The following information is available:

Modelled air quality concentration maps

Modelled background and roadside air quality concentration maps from Defra's national Pollution Climate Model (PCM). These model outputs are typically (but not uniquely) annual mean concentrations. Predictions made for locations 1-5 metres from urban A-roads and, at locations away from major roads, on a 1x1km grid. The model results are used in conjunction with measurements  from Defra's national air quality monitoring networks to prepare a regulatory compliance assessment report to the European Commission in accordance with European Directives.  See also the GIS Mapping page.

Pollutant Environment Metric/averaging period Unit Availability WMS Get Capabilities
Arsenic (As) Background Annual mean ngm3 2008 onward
WMS Get Capabilities
Benzo[a]Pyrene (BaP) Background Annual mean ngm3 2008 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Benzene (C6H6) Background Annual mean µgm3 2003 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Benzene (C6H6)

Roadside

Annual mean µgm3 2003 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Cadmium (Cd) Background Annual mean ngm3 2008 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Carbon monoxide (CO) Background Annual mean mgm3 2002-2010 WMS Get Capabilities
Carbon monoxide (CO) Roadside Annual mean mgm3 2003-2010 WMS Get Capabilities
Carbon monoxide (CO) Background Max daily 8-hour mean mgm3 2002-2010 WMS Get Capabilities
Carbon monoxide (CO) Roadside Max daily 8-hour mean mgm3 2003-2010 WMS Get Capabilities
Lead (Pb) Background Annual mean ngm3 2008 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Nickel (Ni) Background Annual mean ngm3 2008 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Background Annual mean µgm3 2001 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Roadside Annual mean µgm3 2001 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) Background Annual mean µgm3 2001 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) Roadside Annual mean µgm3 2001 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Ozone (O3) Background Days above 120 µgm3 days 2003 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Particulate matter < 10 microns (PM10) Background Annual mean µgm3 2001 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Particulate matter < 10 microns (PM10) Roadside Annual mean µgm3 2008 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Particulate matter < 10 microns (PM10), corrected for natural sources Roadside Annual mean µgm3 2008 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Particulate matter < 2.5 microns (PM2.5) Background Annual mean µgm3 2002 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Particulate matter < 2.5 microns (PM2.5) Roadside Annual mean µgm3 2009 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Particulate matter < 2.5 microns (PM2.5), corrected for natural sources Roadside Annual mean µgm3 2009 onward WMS Get Capabilities
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Background Annual mean µgm3 2002 onward WMS Get Capabilities

UK's European air quality management zones

European air quality management zones are defined by the UK for the management of air quality under under Council Directives 2008/50/EC (the AQ Directive), 2004/107/EC (4th Daughter Directive) and the 2011/850/EC Decision (AQ IPR for e-Reporting). See also overlays here.

WMS Get Capabilities

Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) in the UK

UK air quality management zones are defined by local authorities across the UK to support achieving compliance with national air quality objectives (PDF) which have been put in place to protect people's health and the environment.  AQMAs have existed since December 1997 and each local authority in the UK is responsible for managing their extent and scope.  The data layer(s) presented by this WMS provide the most up to date data on AQMAs declared by all local authorities in the UK. Some local authorities also publish their AQMAs individually. See also the AQMAs Interactive map page.

Layer WMS Get Capabilities
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) WMS Get Capabilities
Particulate matter < 10 microns (PM10) WMS Get Capabilities
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) WMS Get Capabilities

Defra & Devolved Administration funded automatic and non-automatic air quality monitoring networks

Defra & Devolved Administrations fund a network of monitoring stations in the UK for statutory and research purposes. The networks are broadly grouped into automatic networks which resolve measurements down to 1-hour averages (15-minute averages for SO2) and non-automatic air quality monitoring networks which have resolve to daily averages or longer. The networks are established for statutory compliance assessment and research in support of air quality policy and are funded jointly by Defra, the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Department of Environment Northern Ireland. The stations published in the Interactive Monitoring Networks map are those in operation from 01/01/2012.

Air quality pollutant emission maps for the UK and Devolved Administrations

The UK's National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) is funded by Defra, DECC, The Welsh Government, The Scottish Government and The Department of Environment, Northern Ireland. The NAEI compiles estimates of emissions to the atmosphere from UK sources such as cars, trucks, power stations and industrial plant. These emissions are estimated to help to find ways of reducing the impact of human activities on the environment and our health. Spatially disaggregated emission maps are also compiled for the UK at a 1x1km resolution for 33 pollutants and UNECE SNAP numenclature for emissions sectors. See also the NAEI GIS Mapping page.

Layer WMS Get Capabilities
Emissions from large point sources WMS Get Capabilities
1,3-butadiene WMS Get Capabilities
Ammonia (NH3)
WMS Get Capabilities
Arsenic (As) WMS Get Capabilities
Benzene (C6H6) WMS Get Capabilities
Benzo[a]Pyrene (BaP) WMS Get Capabilities
Benzo[b]fluoranthene (C20H12) WMS Get Capabilities
Benzo[k]fluoranthene (C20H12) WMS Get Capabilities
Black Carbon (BC) WMS Get Capabilities
Cadmium (Cd) WMS Get Capabilities
Carbon dioxide (CO2) WMS Get Capabilities
Carbon monoxide (CO) WMS Get Capabilities
Chromium (Cr) WMS Get Capabilities
Copper (Cu) WMS Get Capabilities
Dioxins WMS Get Capabilities
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) WMS Get Capabilities
Hydrogen chloride (HCl) WMS Get Capabilities
Indeno[123-cd]pyrene (I123cd) WMS Get Capabilities
Lead (Pb) WMS Get Capabilities
Mercury (Hg) WMS Get Capabilities
Methane (CH4) WMS Get Capabilities
Nickel (Ni) WMS Get Capabilities
Nitrous Oxide (N2) WMS Get Capabilities
Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) WMS Get Capabilities
Particulate matter < 0.1 microns (PM0.1) WMS Get Capabilities
Particulate matter < 1 microns (PM1) WMS Get Capabilities
Particulate matter < 10 microns (PM10) WMS Get Capabilities
Particulate matter < 2.5 microns (PM2.5) WMS Get Capabilities
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) WMS Get Capabilities
Selenium (Se) WMS Get Capabilities
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) WMS Get Capabilities
Vanadium (V) WMS Get Capabilities
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) WMS Get Capabilities
Zinc (Zn) WMS Get Capabilities

Local Authority Greenhouse Gas emissions statistics

These statistics aim to provide a reliable and consistent breakdown of three Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emissions across the country, using nationally available data sets going back to 2005. The three GHGs are Methane (CH4), Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Nitrous Oxide (N2O). The estimates are intended as a resource to help those working on local or regional indicators and inventories as part of their efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. On their own, however, they cannot give all the information necessary to plan and monitor the progress of all local emissions reduction initiatives, this may require additional monitoring at the local level.

Layer WMS Get Capabilities
LA GHG CH4 statistics
WMS Get Capabilities
LA GHG CH4 statistics - point sources WMS Get Capabilities
LA GHG CO2 statistics WMS Get Capabilities
LA GHG CO2 statistics - point sources WMS Get Capabilities
LA GHG N2O statistics
WMS Get Capabilities
LA GHG N2O statistics - point sources
WMS Get Capabilities
LA GHG Total statistics
WMS Get Capabilities
LA GHG Total statistics - point sources
WMS Get Capabilities

Air quality forecast maps

The air quality forecasts, as supplied by the Met Office, use the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI) that is designed to show complex air quality information on a simple 10 point scale.  The DAQI uses a combination of numbers (1-10), words (low, moderate, high and very high) and colours (green/yellow/orange/red/purple) to communicate the levels of pollution expected.  Each of the bands/levels of the DAQI has associated health information and advice for the general public as well as those that may be more sensitive to air pollution, so please check the DAQI page for more information.

WMS get capabilities