Project 8: Characterization of Wind Blown Dust from Tailings and other Mining

在干旱的西南地区，来自矿山尾矿和其他采矿作业的大气粉尘是人类接触砷、铅和其他有毒元素的潜在重要途径，随着预计的区域气候变化和人口增长，在这里和其他地方，大气粉尘将变得越来越重要。采矿作业排放的粉尘颗粒会调动微量金属，然后在土壤、天然水和植被中积累。人类可通过吸入接触粉尘，特别是儿童，可通过偶然摄入粉尘。该项目将使用微孔均匀沉积物撞击器采样器，在两个超级基金站点（Hayden-Winkleman和Iron King， AZ的污染矿山尾矿）的下风处，收集十种大小的大气气溶胶（空气动力学直径0.056微米至18微米）。这些分离的组分将产生有毒金属和类金属（As, Pb, Cr, Cd, Sb）的大小分级质量浓度数据，以及其他物理化学特征。扫描迁移率粒度仪（SMPS）将使我们能够计算超细颗粒的数量，超细颗粒被认为与不利的健康影响最密切相关。使用这些工具，将实现以下目标：

Atmospheric dust originating from mine tailings and other mining operations is a potentially important human exposure route for arsenic, lead and other toxic elements in the arid Southwest, and will become increasingly important here and elsewhere with predicted regional climate change and population growth. Dust particles emitted from mining operations mobilize trace metals which can then accumulate in soils, natural waters, and vegetation. Human exposure to the dust can occur through inhalation and, especially in the case of children, incidental dust ingestion. This project will use Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor samplers to collect atmospheric aerosols in ten size fractions (0.056 microM to 18 microM aerodynamic diameter), downwind of two Superfund sites - contaminated mine tailings at Hayden-Winkleman and Iron King, AZ. The separate fractions will yield size-fractionated mass concentration data for toxic metals and metalloids (As, Pb, Cr, Cd, Sb), as well as other physicochemical characteristics. A scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) will allow us to count the number of ultrafine particles, which are thought to be most closely linked to adverse health effects. Using these tools, the following Aims will be addressed: 1) assess the role of atmospheric dust in the transport of metals contaminants from mine operations 2) identify contaminant source to assess remediation approaches 3) in collaboration with Project 9 assess role of vegetation cover to reduce dust emission 4) incorporate results into University of Arizona - Dust Regional Atmosphere Model for prediction of dust emissions and human exposures These studies will be performed in collaboration with Region 9 EPA and the State of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The results of these studies will be critical additions to the information that these agencies utilize for risk assessment of down-wind exposed populations.