Artículo de revista
Geochemical and morphological evaluations of organic and mineral aerosols in coal mining areas: a case study of Santa Catarina, Brazil
Registro en:
10.3390/su14073847
2071-1050
Corporación Universidad de la Costa
REDICUC - Repositorio CUC
Autor
Akinyemi, Segun Ajayi
Oliveira, Marcos L.S.
Nyakuma, Bemgba Bevan
Dotto, Guilherme L.
Institución
Resumen
Numerous researchers have described the correlation between the short-term contact of
nano-particulate (NP) matter in diverse coal phases and amplified death or hospitalizations for
breathing disorders in humans. However, few reports have examined the short-term consequences
of source-specific nanoparticles (NPs) on coal mining areas. Advanced microscopic techniques can
detect the ultra-fine particles (UFPs) and nanoparticles that contain potential hazardous elements
(PHEs) generated in coal mining areas. Secondary aerosols that cause multiple and complex groups
of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, PM1
) can be collected on dry deposition. In this study, scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) were
employed to detect and define the magnitude of particulate matters on restaurants walls at coal mines
due to weathering interactions. The low cost self-made passive sampler (SMPS) documented several
minerals and amorphous phases. The results showed that most of the detected coal minerals exist in
combined form as numerous complexes comprising significant elements (e.g., Al, C, Fe, K, Mg, S,
and Ti), whereas others exist as amorphous or organic compounds. Based on the analytical approach,
the study findings present a comprehensive understanding of existing potential hazardous elements
in the nanoparticles and ultrafine particles from coal mining areas in Brazil.