CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Boulton, J.W.; Lepage, M.; Jordan, M.; and Alberico, J.J.
Date : 2006.
Title : Applying aeolian transport concepts to fugitive dust assessments.
Publication : Sixth International Conference on Aeolian Research. July 24-28 2006, University of Gueph, Guleph, Ontario, Canada. Program and Abstracts. Edited by: W.G. Nickling, S. Turner, J.A. Gilles and M. Puddister.
Issue :
Page(s) : 179 p.
Abstract
The assessment of fugitive dust from stockpiles at industrial facilities typically involves the use of emission factors that are based on published data from past experiments performed on coal stockpiles and desert soils; experiments limited in scope and done under dry conditions. To predict offsite concentrations of fine particulate matter, dispersion modelling is typically performed using generic emission rates that are applied to each hour of the simulation when the wind speed exceeds entrainment threshold, without regard to mitigating factors such as precipitation or snow cover. As such, model results represent a conservative first estimate of maximum off-site dust concentrations. Often, it is desirable to refine the analysis so as to obtain a better estimate of maximum offsite dust concentrations as well as a more realistic estimate of the frequency distribution of dust concentrations throughout the year. This paper presents a case study in which this typical approach was refined by determining actual wind speed thresholds and flux rates for a slag pile using a portable wind tunnel. In addition to wind speed, precipitation and snow cover data from a nearby weather station were also used to develop hour-by-hour emission rates. Particle settling was modelled using the deposition algorithm in the dispersion model (AERMOD). Results indicated that by accounting for more realistic site conditions and the mechanics of aeolian transport, maximum predicted one-hour and 24-hour TSP concentrations were reduced by up to 50% and 65%, respectively compared to the traditional approach.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology