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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.

Item Type:	Book Section
Authors/Creators:	Noble, TL and Berry, RF and Goemann, K and Lottermoser, B
Keywords:	dust monitoring, mine site, mineral dust
Publisher:	Springer
DOI / ID Number:	10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_19
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
Related URLs:	Google Scholar: Noble, TL UTAS Profile: Noble, TL UTAS Profile: Berry, RF
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