Monitoring Airborne Dust In An Italian Basalt Quarry: Comparison Between Sampling Methods

• Published in: WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment Vol. 174; p. 75
• Main Authors: Degan, G Alfaro, Lippiello, D, Pinzari, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Southampton W I T Press 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Aerosols; Air sampling; Airborne lasers; Airborne sensing; Aluminum; Basalt; Calibration; Correlation coefficients; Cyclones; Dust; Environmental conditions; Gravimetry; Light scattering; Methods; Organic chemistry; Particle size distribution; Particulate matter; Pollutants; Quarries; Quarrying; Refractivity; Sampling methods; Size distribution
• ISBN: 9781845647186; 1845647181
• ISSN: 1746-448X; 1743-3541
• DOI: 10.2495/AIR130071

A field study in a dark grey basalt quarry nearby Rome is presented. PM10 airborne concentration due to typical quarry operations was recorded during a period of two months. The aim of the work is testing the suitability of the laser light scattering method in measuring airborne dust concentration in such typical environmental conditions like those from quarrying operations. To the scope, two sampling campaigns were developed according with two different methods: from one side a traditional gravimetric method (NIOSH 0600) based on an air sampling pump connected with PVC filters through a 37 mm aluminum cyclone was used to assess PM10 concentration. On the other hand, a light scatter technology developed with a real time dust monitor was applied. The R2 value (0.706) showed a fairly good correlation between the two methods suggesting we consider the optical method suitable to survey PM10 in the specific case. So basalt airborne dust was taken into account and a field calibration was developed. The results showed a fulfilling improvement of correlation factor.