title: Characterization of airborne particles in an open pit mining region.
abstract: We characterized airborne particle samples collected from 15 stations in operation since 2007 in one of the world's largest opencast coal mining regions. Using gravimetric, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis the samples were characterized in terms of concentration, morphology, particle size distribution (PSD), and elemental composition. All of the total suspended particulate (TSP) samples exhibited a log-normal PSD with a mean of d=5.46 ± 0.32 μm and σ(ln d)=0.61 ± 0.03. Similarly, all particles with an equivalent aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM(10)) exhibited a log-normal type distribution with a mean of d=3.6 ± 0.38 μm and σ(ln d)=0.55 ± 0.03. XPS analysis indicated that the main elements present in the particles were carbon, oxygen, potassium, and silicon with average mass concentrations of 41.5%, 34.7%, 11.6%, and 5.7% respectively. In SEM micrographs the particles appeared smooth-surfaced and irregular in shape, and tended to agglomerate. The particles were typically clay minerals, including limestone, calcite, quartz, and potassium feldspar.
authors.affiliation: Tecnológico de Monterrey, Eduardo Monroy Cárdenas No 2000, Toluca, México. jhuertas@itesm.mx
authors.forename: José I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Huertas
authors.forename: María E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Huertas
authors.forename: Dora A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Solís
mesh_terms: D003032:Coal Mining; D003105:Colombia; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D052638:Particulate Matter