The physical and chemical evolution of aerosols in smelter and power plant plumes: an airborne study

Abstract

National and international concern about the health effects and continued use of Pb, Cd, As and Hg as well as other metals has defined a need for improved estimates of the long-term risks to ecosystems and human health from metals released from mining, metallurgical and energy production activities. A research aircraft was used to determine the microphysical and chemical properties of airborne particulate metal emissions from the Nanticoke coal-fired power-generating station located on the north shore of Lake Erie, Ontario, and the Horne copper smelter at Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. These properties are critical to the determination of the deposition rates of the metals emitted, and hence the potential for these species to have impacts on local or distant ecosystems. An overview of the measurements made during the study is given. The size distributions of particles emitted from the stacks and observed within 5 km of the point of emission are briefly described. After dilution by ambient air, the concentration of particles smaller than 0.135 μm in diameter in the plumes is tens of thousands per cubic centimetre, far exceeding the concentrations found in ambient air. However, in the size range 0.135 to 3 μm diameter the plumes generally contribute about one to four times more particles than present in ambient air.

Silica- and sulfate-bearing rock coatings in smelter areas: Products of chemical weathering and atmospheric pollution I. Formation and mineralogical composition

“…Their diameters (approximately 20-40 nm) are smaller than the range of particle diameters observed in Cu smelter plume studies, (i.e. 60 nm-30 lm, Banic et al, 2006).…”

Metal and Metalloid Contaminants in Atmospheric Aerosols from Mining Operations

“…High winds and mining activities such as grinding, milling and mine tailings management create coarse particles (≥1 μm diameter) through mechanical action while smelting and refining can result in ultrafine (≤ 0.1 μm) and accumulation-mode (0.1 - 1.0 μm) particles by condensation of high temperature vapors and subsequent diffusion and coagulation (Jacob 1999, Banic et al 2006, Wong et al 2006, Zdanowicz et al 2006). It has been estimated that 40% of the total atmospheric emissions of arsenic arise from smelting operations (Alloway and Ayres 1997).…”

Fine and Ultrafine Particles in the Vicinity of Industrial Activities: A Review

“…15 although a few studies employed mobile monitoring platforms, e. g. trucks, airplanes (Brock, Washenfelder et al 2002;Banic, Leaitch et al 2006;Bahreini, Ervens et al 2009;Zaveri, Berkowitz et al 2010). The strategy generally involved measurements of emissions at the stack or in the flue gas at various points during the industrial process (Yang, Lai et al 2002;Maguhn, Karg et al 2003;Buonanno, Stabile et al 2011;Chen, Stein et al 2013), or in the close vicinity of the industrial plant (Cincinelli, Mandorlo et al 2003;Martley, Gulson et al 2004;Weitkamp, Lipsky et al 2005;Dall'Osto, Booth et al 2008;Lim, Jin-Hong et al 2010).…”

“…Particle concentrations are maximized close to the source and gradually decrease as the plume disperses (Brock, Trainer et al 2003;Strawbridge 2006). In addition, industrial plumes display a dominant contribution to the fine (d a < 2.5 µm) and ultrafine (d a < 0.1 µm) ranges of particle size distribution (Brock, Trainer et al 2003;Weitkamp, Lipsky et al 2005;Banic, Leaitch et al 2006;Moroni and Viti 2009). Finally, coarse particles (d a > 2.5 µm) exhibit a stronger deposition rate than finer particles and will be deposited closer to plants, whereas finer particles having a longer lifetime in the atmosphere will thus be transported over longer distances.…”