%0 Journal Article
%T Frequency of Mine Dust Episodes and the Influence of Meteorological Parameters on the Witwatersrand Area, South Africa
%A Olusegun Oguntoke
%A Matthew E. Ojelede
%A Harold J. Annegarn
%J International Journal of Atmospheric Sciences
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/128463
%X Aeolian dispersal of dust from gold mine tailing storage facilities impacts negatively on amenities, human health, and the environment of the Witwatersrand region, South Africa. The present study adopted a multivariate analytical method to quantify the effect of specific meteorological parameters on dust fall emissions, monitored at 22 sites in the central Witwatersrand area. Using meteorological and dust fall data from 2001 to 2010, the relationships between weather and dust fallout deposition rates were explored across the sites at different seasons. Dust deposition rate varied among seasons, with spring months showing the highest levels and frequency. Atmospheric humidity had negative correlations ( ) with dust fall while wind speed showed positive correlations ( ) at the selected sites ( ). Sites with low influence of relative humidity had higher impact on wind speed. Mean relative humidity below 50% and mean wind speed above 4£¿m/s were predicted as critical levels for dust episodes incidence at sites that recorded ¡°heavy¡± and ¡°very heavy¡± dust fall. For environmental planning purposes, current mitigation measures should be manipulated in relation to levels of air humidity and wind speed for dust emission reduction, especially during spring. 1. Introduction Pollution arising from tailing storage facilities (TSFs) which serve as depository for waste materials generated in gold mining process has been source of concern to communities situated in their precinct. In the Witwatersrand area, residents of communities located within the buffer zone of TSFs are particularly concerned about their frequent exposure to airborne particulate matter associated with wind erosion of TSFs. Such concern has drawn public attention owing to the perceived negative impacts of mine waste materials on the health and safety of local communities and the environment, at large. Apart from wind-blown dust pollution that characterizes mine sites, soil and water contamination, unstable slopes on dumps, use of explosives, and presence of radioactive materials are other sources of concern in the Witwatersrand area [1, 2]. Dustfall consists largely of coarse or settleable particulate matter (>30£¿¦Ìm diameter) which constitutes approximately 40 percent of dust from mine source materials. The remaining proportion consists of finer particulates, of which the concentration of PM10 ranges from 22¨C38 to 11¨C26£¿vol.% in recent and older slimes [3]. Specifically, settleable dust impairs visibility when it forms dust plumes while its deposition on fabrics, buildings, vehicles, and water tanks
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijas/2013/128463/