title: Nanominerals, fullerene aggregates, and hazardous elements in coal and coal combustion-generated aerosols: An environmental and toxicological assessment.
abstract: Studies on coal-derived nanoparticles as well as nano-minerals are important in the context of the human health and the environment. The coal combustion-generated aerosols also affect human health and environmental quality aspects in any coal-fired station. In this study, the feed coals and their combustion-generated aerosols from coal-fired boilers of two tea industry facilities were investigated for the presence of nanoparticles/nano minerals, fullerene aggregates, and potentially hazardous elements (PHEs). The samples were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS), High resolution-transmission electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy (HR-TEM/EDS) and Ultra Violet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) to know their extent of environmental risks to the human health when present in coals and aerosols. The feed coals contain mainly clay minerals, whilst glass fragments, spinel, quartz, and other minerals occur in lesser quantities. The PM samples contain potentially hazardous elements (PHEs) like As, Pb, Cd and Hg. Enrichment factor of the trace elements in particulate matters (PMs) was calculated to determine their sources. The aerosol samples were also found to contain nanomaterials and ultrafine particles. The fullerene aggregates along with potentially hazardous elements were also detected in the aerosol samples. The cytotoxicity studies on the coal combustion-generated PM samples show their potential risk to the human health. This detailed investigation on the inter-relationship between the feed coals and their aerosol chemistry will be useful for understanding the extent of environmental hazards and related human health risk.
authors: Polymer Petroleum and Coal Chemistry Group, Materials Sciences & Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, 785006, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-NEIST Campus, Jorhat, 785006, India.
authors: Jyotilima
authors: J
authors: Saikia
authors: Natural Product Chemistry Group, Chemical Sciences & Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, 785006, India.
authors: Bardwi
authors: B
authors: Narzary
authors: Natural Product Chemistry Group, Chemical Sciences & Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, 785006, India.
authors: Sonali
authors: S
authors: Roy
authors: Natural Product Chemistry Group, Chemical Sciences & Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, 785006, India.
authors: Manobjyoti
authors: M
authors: Bordoloi
authors: Polymer Petroleum and Coal Chemistry Group, Materials Sciences & Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, 785006, India.
authors: Prasenjit
authors: P
authors: Saikia
authors: Polymer Petroleum and Coal Chemistry Group, Materials Sciences & Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, 785006, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-NEIST Campus, Jorhat, 785006, India. Electronic address: bksaikia@gmail.com.
authors: Binoy K
authors: BK
authors: Saikia
mesh_terms: D000072283:A549 Cells; D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis*; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D003031:Coal / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019649:Food Industry; D037741:Fullerenes / Q000032:analysis; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000032:analysis; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013662:Tea
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D003031:Coal; D037741:Fullerenes; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008903:Minerals; D052638:Particulate Matter; D013662:Tea
keywords: Aerosol chemistry; Coal-based industries; Coal-derived aerosol; Cytotoxicity; Fullerene aggregates; Nano-minerals