Assessment of Air Pollution around Mining Area

Dear Colleagues,

Air pollution has become a growing concern in the past few years with an increasing number of acute air pollution episodes in many places worldwide. The accumulation of potentially hazardous or toxic chemicals in the environment represents a substantial risk of people being exposed to fine particles penetrating deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system. In mining areas, different situations may contribute to air pollution. Several mining activities can create unacceptable dust exposure if not appropriately controlled. The toxicity of the dust depends on the type of ore being mined, the exposure, and the consequent impacts on the proximity of environmental receptors. High concentrations of arsenic, lead, and radionuclides tend to pose the most significant risk. Abandoned mines are a recurrent problem for nearby communities. Different airborne contamination sources may be present (such as tailings) and be continuously dispersed by wind to the surrounding environment, affecting flora, fauna, water, air and soil. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the chemical, physical and biological processes is essential for assessing the extension and effects of air pollution around mining areas, which should be based on a holistic approach.

This Special Issue of Atmosphere will open a broad debate on issues related to air pollution in mining areas. Research results, practical experiences, alternatives, and new approaches are welcome, dealing with i) tools and techniques for air pollution studies and their applications in airborne contaminants dispersion, transport and fate (including radionuclides), iii) contaminant distribution, bioavailability, and uptake, iv) data mining and air pollution, v) characterization, assessment, and monitoring of airborne contaminants, vi) chemical/toxicological/biological measurements of airborne pollutants, vii) modelling, viii) climate change impacts, ix) impact of mining and industrial activities on air quality, x) ecological and human health risk assessment, and xi) occupational and environmental exposure.

Prof. Dr. Maria de Lurdes Dinis
Dr. Ana Sofia Silva
Prof. Dr. João dos Santos Baptista
Guest Editors

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• air pollution
• toxicology
• exposure
• radionuclides
• metals
• health impacts
• exposure modelling
• dispersion modelling
• occupational exposure
• risk assessment