Metal and Metalloid Contaminants in Atmospheric Aerosols from Mining Operations

Abstract

Mining operations are potential sources of airborne metal and metalloid contaminants through both direct smelter emissions and wind erosion of mine tailings. The warmer, drier conditions predicted for the Southwestern US by climate models may make contaminated atmospheric dust and aerosols increasingly important, with potential deleterious effects on human health and ecology. Fine particulates such as those resulting from smelting operations may disperse more readily into the environment than coarser tailings dust. Fine particles also penetrate more deeply into the human respiratory system, and may become more bioavailable due to their high specific surface area. In this work, we report the size-fractionated chemical characterization of atmospheric aerosols sampled over a period of a year near an active mining and smelting site in Arizona. Aerosols were characterized with a 10-stage (0.054 to 18 μm aerodynamic diameter) multiple orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI), a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), and a total suspended particulate (TSP) collector. The MOUDI results show that arsenic and lead concentrations follow a bimodal distribution, with maxima centered at approximately 0.3 and 7.0 μm diameter. We hypothesize that the sub-micron arsenic and lead are the product of condensation and coagulation of smelting vapors. In the coarse size, contaminants are thought to originate as aeolian dust from mine tailings and other sources. Observation of ultrafine particle number concentration (SMPS) show the highest readings when the wind comes from the general direction of the smelting operations site.

Particulate matter characteristics, dynamics, and sources in an underground mine

“…Previous studies on PM in underground mines have focused on mechanical dust which can cause high mass concentrations near the extraction and processing areas (Ghose 2007;Csavina et al 2011;Harris et al 2015). The effects of diesel engine emissions on the mine air quality, fine particle concentrations, and occupational exposures have also been widely investigated (Scheepers et al 2003;Noll et al 2007;Vermeulen et al 2010).…”

Atmospheric Arsenic Deposition in Chiayi County in Southern Taiwan

“…These forms of particle-based arsenic have relatively long atmospheric residence times before deposition, and eventually cause pollution several kilometers downwind from the sources (Bencko and Symon, 1977;Saxena et al, 2008;Csavina et al, 2011;Alahmr et al, 2012).…”

Recent advances and future directions in soils and sediments research

“…Ostro et al 2006;Taylor and Owens 2009;Jiménez et al 2010), although other studies have been undertaken near agricultural and mining sites (e.g. Csavina et al 2011). Recent work has also demonstrated the link between sediment-associated pathogens and human health (e.g.…”