Title: Assessment of ambient air quality around mines, in buffer zone and along ore transportation routes in iron ore mining region of Goa: emphasis on spatial distributions and seasonal variations

Authors: Gurdeep Singh; Atahar Perwez

Addresses: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Indian School of Mines, 826004, Dhanbad, India ' Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Indian School of Mines, 826004, Dhanbad, India

Abstract: Monitoring was done with respect to PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO_X at thirty four stations selected in mines, buffer zone and along ore transportation routes. Particulate pollutants (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) were observed as the major pollutants in the study area and ore transportation was identified as the most polluting activity. The calculated values of AQI also evidenced the same. The concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 along ore transportation routes were observed as 130 ± 58 μg/m³ and 67 ± 33 μg/m³, 166 ± 73 μg/m³ and 86 ± 38 μg/m³, 176 ± 80 μg/m³ and 92 ± 41 μg/m³, respectively during post-monsoon, winter and summer seasons. The ratios of PM_2.5/PM₁₀ as well as correlation between PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 were also observed highest along ore transportation routes. The highest mean seasonal concentration of PM was observed during summer. This observed trend of PM concentration is attributed to relatively higher wind speed and relatively dry soil condition during the summer season.

Keywords: ambient air quality; AAQ; assessment; air quality index; AQI; analysis of variance; ANOVA; correlation; environmental pollution; mining iron ore mining; NO_X; PM₁₀; PM_2.5; ratio; SO₂; transportation routes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2018.092989

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2018 Vol.63 No.1/2, pp.47 - 68

Received: 28 Mar 2016
Accepted: 29 Mar 2017
Published online: 04 Jul 2018 *

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