Prediction of Mineral Dust Properties at Mine Sites
Predicting the properties of dust generated at mine sites is important for understanding the impact of dust dispersal to the surrounding environment. This chapter presents a new approach to predicting the mineralogical properties of the PM2.5 and PM10 dus
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Abstract Predicting the properties of dust generated at mine sites is important for understanding the impact of dust dispersal to the surrounding environment. This chapter presents a new approach to predicting the mineralogical properties of the PM2.5 and PM10 dust fractions. A purpose-built dust resuspension machine was fitted with a size selective sampler to collect dust fractions. Dust particles were collected onto a polycarbonate filter, which was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Backscattered electron (BSE) maps of the polycarbonate surface were imaged and processed to determine dust properties. For a given population of particles, the BSE brightness distribution of the 2–5 and 5–10 µm size fractions were quantified. The mineralogical composition of the dust size fractions were inferred by the BSE brightness as biogenic particles and sulfates (30–50), silicates (60–100), iron silicates and oxides (110–190), and sulfides (>200). The method was validated by comparing laboratory-generated dust fractions with those collected from dust monitoring stations at a tailings repository site. Similar dust composition and size fractions were observed for both laboratory and field samples. Consequently, the purpose-built dust resuspension device and associated laboratory procedures allow the prediction of mineralogical properties of dust at mine sites.
T.L. Noble R.F. Berry (&) School of Physical Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 79, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia e-mail: [email protected] T.L. Noble e-mail: [email protected] K. Goemann Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Bag 74, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia e-mail: [email protected] B. Lottermoser Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Wüllnerstrasse 2, 52062 Aachen, Germany e-mail: [email protected] © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017 B. Lottermoser (ed.), Environmental Indicators in Metal Mining, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_19
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Introduction Mineral dusts are derived from multiple sources at mine sites, leading to heterogeneous compositions in terms of particle size distribution, morphology, mineralogy and geochemistry. It is the physical and mineralogical composition of dust, which determines its risk to human health and the surrounding environment (Gelencser et al. 2011). Therefore, predicting these physical and mineralogical characteristics is important for effective dust management and control strategies. At present, there are no appropriate testing procedures available to predict the morphological and mineralogical properties of mineral dust from mining operations. Models exist to predict the dispersal of dust plumes under certain climatic and meteorological conditions, as part of a mine site dust mitigation strategies. Computer modelling of dust dispersion from mine sources can allow health and safety hazards to be identified and result in improved dust control techniques (Reed 2005). However, properties such as morp
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