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
- UK's European air quality management zones
- Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) in the UK
- Defra & Devolved Administration funded automatic and non-automatic air quality monitoring networks
- Air quality pollutant emission maps for the UK and Devolved Administrations
- Local Authority Greenhouse Gas emissions statistics
- Air quality forecast maps
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.
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.