Oxidative potential (OP) and mineralogy of iron ore particulate matter at the Gol-E-Gohar Mining and Industrial Facility (Iran)

Abstract

Concentrations of total suspended particulate matter, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter <10 μm (PM10), and fallout dust were measured at the Iranian Gol-E-Gohar Mining and Industrial Facility. Samples were characterized in terms of mineralogy, morphology, and oxidative potential. Results show that indoor samples exceeded the 24-h PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentration limits (35 and 150 μg m−3, respectively) set by the US National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Calcite, magnetite, tremolite, pyrite, talc, and clay minerals such as kaolinite, vermiculite, and illite are the major phases of the iron ore PM. Accessory minerals are quartz, dolomite, hematite, actinolite, biotite, albite, nimite, laumontite, diopside, and muscovite. The scanning electron microscope structure of fibrous-elongated minerals revealed individual fibers in the range of 1.5 nm to 71.65 μm in length and 0.2 nm to 3.7 μmin diameter. The presence of minerals related to respiratory diseases, such as talc, crystalline silica, and needle-shaped minerals like amphibole asbestos (tremolite and actinolite), strongly suggests the need for detailed health-based studies in the region. The particulate samples show low to medium oxidative potential per unit of mass, in relation to an urban road side control, being more reactive with ascorbate than with glutathione or urate. However, the PM oxidative potential per volume of air is exceptionally high, confirming that the workers are exposed to a considerable oxidative environment. PM released by iron ore mining and processing activities should be considered a potential health risk to the mine workers and nearby employees, and strategies to combat the issue are suggested.

Distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in tailings, soils, and plants around Gol-E-Gohar iron mine, a case study in Iran

“…Since the SOM content of the investigated soils is very low, probably these PTEs could be associated with sulfides rather than to SOM. In fact, previous mineralogical studies revealed the presence of sulfide minerals, especially pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and sphalerite in GEG iron ore (Nabatian et al 2015; Soltani et al 2017). …”

“…Fallout dust can disperse over a wide area and may negatively affect the soil and plant in the area surrounding the facility. Mineralogical studies of particulate matter generated by grinding of iron ore indicated that dominant minerals include magnetite, hematite, kaolinite, talc, tremolite, calcite, albite, pyrite, and actinolite and minor amounts of quartz, hematite, dioptase, biotite, sphalerite, albite, chalcopyrite, nimite, magnesiohornblende, and muscovite (Soltani et al 2017). The mineralogical study of 15 representative soil samples proved the presence of primary minerals such as crystalline Fe-oxide (magnetite and hematite) and ferromagnesian minerals (biotite, ferroactinolite, chlorite, antigorite, talc, and clinochlor).…”

Impacts of climate and synoptic fluctuations on dust storm activity over the Middle East

“…Dust is the most abundant aerosol type globally on a mass basis and affects climate, the water cycle, public health and welfare, and vegetation (Bollen et al, 2010; Manninen et al, 2013; Gibson, 2015; Matyssek et al, 2015; Madala et al, 2016; Carugno et al, 2016; Morelli et al, 2016; Raspanti et al, 2016; Youn et al, 2016; Soltani et al, 2017). Large deserts in the Middle East, such as those in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Syria, are major sources of dust where in recent years dust storm frequency and intensity has increased (Alam et al, 2014a; Boloorani et al, 2014; Jish Prakash et al, 2015; Shalaby et al, 2015; Gharibzadeh et al, 2017).…”

Rethinking the Connections between Ecosystem Services, Pollinators, Pollution, and Health: Focus on Air Pollution and Its Impacts

“…Nasal PM0.1 may also enter the brain directly via the olfactory bulb [ 82 ]. According to some authors, metal-based PM0.1 promotes DNA damage via oxidative stress, epigenetic alterations with consequences on gene expression [ 83 , 84 , 85 ], and even neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases [ 80 , 81 ].…”