Dilution and dispersion of particulate matter from abandoned mine sites to nearby communities in Namibia

In this study, the HYSPLIT model was used to model the dilution and dispersion of particulate matter in the surrounding of two abandoned mine sites (Klein Aub and Oamites) to the nearby communities. The simulations indicated a relationship between mass concentrations and meteorological parameters as...

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Main Authors: Martha N. Uugwanga, Nnenesi A. Kgabi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2021-04-01
Series:Heliyon
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021007465
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author Martha N. Uugwanga
Nnenesi A. Kgabi
author_facet Martha N. Uugwanga
Nnenesi A. Kgabi
author_sort Martha N. Uugwanga
collection DOAJ
description In this study, the HYSPLIT model was used to model the dilution and dispersion of particulate matter in the surrounding of two abandoned mine sites (Klein Aub and Oamites) to the nearby communities. The simulations indicated a relationship between mass concentrations and meteorological parameters as well as their impacts on the dilution and dispersion of particulate matter. Dispersion simulations of the non-residential point indicated that the community of Klein Aub is mainly affected by tailings dust through the Easterly wind which transports tailings contaminated dust to the residential area during winter. Oamites dispersion simulations of the residential point located at 23°47′24.6 S; 016°38′46.2 E indicated that this point is not directly affected by the tailings dust. The results suggest that the influence of the wind direction and wind speed is more on the dispersion than dilution. The wind or lack of thereof can cause the particulate matter to move or accumulate around the pollution source. The dilution of particulate matter was mainly influence by the temperature, with generally low dilution observed in the cold winter months.
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spelling doaj.art-bf6dab0dcf5146758b7f55bbd22b2c2a2022-12-21T22:42:37ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402021-04-0174e06643Dilution and dispersion of particulate matter from abandoned mine sites to nearby communities in NamibiaMartha N. Uugwanga0Nnenesi A. Kgabi1Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; Corresponding author.Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; Unit for Environmental Science and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaIn this study, the HYSPLIT model was used to model the dilution and dispersion of particulate matter in the surrounding of two abandoned mine sites (Klein Aub and Oamites) to the nearby communities. The simulations indicated a relationship between mass concentrations and meteorological parameters as well as their impacts on the dilution and dispersion of particulate matter. Dispersion simulations of the non-residential point indicated that the community of Klein Aub is mainly affected by tailings dust through the Easterly wind which transports tailings contaminated dust to the residential area during winter. Oamites dispersion simulations of the residential point located at 23°47′24.6 S; 016°38′46.2 E indicated that this point is not directly affected by the tailings dust. The results suggest that the influence of the wind direction and wind speed is more on the dispersion than dilution. The wind or lack of thereof can cause the particulate matter to move or accumulate around the pollution source. The dilution of particulate matter was mainly influence by the temperature, with generally low dilution observed in the cold winter months.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021007465HYSPLITDispersion and dilutionParticulate matterOamitesKlein Aub
spellingShingle Martha N. Uugwanga
Nnenesi A. Kgabi
Dilution and dispersion of particulate matter from abandoned mine sites to nearby communities in Namibia
Heliyon
HYSPLIT
Dispersion and dilution
Particulate matter
Oamites
Klein Aub
title Dilution and dispersion of particulate matter from abandoned mine sites to nearby communities in Namibia
title_full Dilution and dispersion of particulate matter from abandoned mine sites to nearby communities in Namibia
title_fullStr Dilution and dispersion of particulate matter from abandoned mine sites to nearby communities in Namibia
title_full_unstemmed Dilution and dispersion of particulate matter from abandoned mine sites to nearby communities in Namibia
title_short Dilution and dispersion of particulate matter from abandoned mine sites to nearby communities in Namibia
title_sort dilution and dispersion of particulate matter from abandoned mine sites to nearby communities in namibia
topic HYSPLIT
Dispersion and dilution
Particulate matter
Oamites
Klein Aub
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021007465
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AT nnenesiakgabi dilutionanddispersionofparticulatematterfromabandonedminesitestonearbycommunitiesinnamibia