Modeling PM<sub>10</sub> Emissions in Quarry and Mining Operations: Insights from AERMOD Applications in Malaysia

PM<sub>10</sub> emissions have been a significant concern in rock crushing and quarry operations (study site #1) and iron ore mining projects (study site #2) in certain regions of Malaysia, posing fears to the health and well-being of nearby communities with severe air pollution. To addr...

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Main Authors: Md Munir Hayet Khan, Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan, Indra Chandra, Thomas M. T. Lei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Atmosphere
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/4/369
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author Md Munir Hayet Khan
Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan
Indra Chandra
Thomas M. T. Lei
author_facet Md Munir Hayet Khan
Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan
Indra Chandra
Thomas M. T. Lei
author_sort Md Munir Hayet Khan
collection DOAJ
description PM<sub>10</sub> emissions have been a significant concern in rock crushing and quarry operations (study site #1) and iron ore mining projects (study site #2) in certain regions of Malaysia, posing fears to the health and well-being of nearby communities with severe air pollution. To address this issue, it is crucial to develop effective mitigation strategies to reduce dust particle emissions like PM<sub>10</sub> in the ambient air. The AERMOD model was applied to predict PM<sub>10</sub> emissions during quarry operations and iron ore mining projects, both with and without control measures. The results indicated that PM<sub>10</sub> emissions were reduced when control measures were implemented. The modeling result shows the mean PM<sub>10</sub> concentration with and without control measures in study site #1 is 74.85 µg/m<sup>3</sup> and 20,557.69 µg/m<sup>3</sup>, respectively. In comparison, the average PM<sub>10</sub> concentration with and without control measures in study site #2 is 53.95 µg/m<sup>3</sup> and 135.69 µg/m<sup>3</sup>. Therefore, the control measure has successfully reduced the PM<sub>10</sub> concentrations by 99.90% and 60.24% in study sites #1 and #2, respectively, and ensures the air quality complies with the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (MAAQG) 24 h threshold limits at 100 µg/m<sup>3</sup>. In addition, the AERMOD modeling results showed that mitigation measures performed better in rock crushing and quarry operations than in iron ore mining projects in this case study.
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spelling doaj-art-21481cf4e1e143d19d6809c086cda3b02025-08-20T03:14:23ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332025-03-0116436910.3390/atmos16040369Modeling PM<sub>10</sub> Emissions in Quarry and Mining Operations: Insights from AERMOD Applications in MalaysiaMd Munir Hayet Khan0Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan1Indra Chandra2Thomas M. T. Lei3Faculty of Engineering & Quantity Surveying (FEQS), INTI International University (INTI-IU), Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, MalaysiaCollege of Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, ChinaEngineering Physics, School of Electrical Engineering, Telkom University, Bandung 40257, IndonesiaInstitute of Science and Environment, University of Saint Joseph, Macau 999078, ChinaPM<sub>10</sub> emissions have been a significant concern in rock crushing and quarry operations (study site #1) and iron ore mining projects (study site #2) in certain regions of Malaysia, posing fears to the health and well-being of nearby communities with severe air pollution. To address this issue, it is crucial to develop effective mitigation strategies to reduce dust particle emissions like PM<sub>10</sub> in the ambient air. The AERMOD model was applied to predict PM<sub>10</sub> emissions during quarry operations and iron ore mining projects, both with and without control measures. The results indicated that PM<sub>10</sub> emissions were reduced when control measures were implemented. The modeling result shows the mean PM<sub>10</sub> concentration with and without control measures in study site #1 is 74.85 µg/m<sup>3</sup> and 20,557.69 µg/m<sup>3</sup>, respectively. In comparison, the average PM<sub>10</sub> concentration with and without control measures in study site #2 is 53.95 µg/m<sup>3</sup> and 135.69 µg/m<sup>3</sup>. Therefore, the control measure has successfully reduced the PM<sub>10</sub> concentrations by 99.90% and 60.24% in study sites #1 and #2, respectively, and ensures the air quality complies with the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (MAAQG) 24 h threshold limits at 100 µg/m<sup>3</sup>. In addition, the AERMOD modeling results showed that mitigation measures performed better in rock crushing and quarry operations than in iron ore mining projects in this case study.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/4/369air pollutionAERMOD modelair qualityrock crushingquarry operationiron ore mining
spellingShingle Md Munir Hayet Khan
Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan
Indra Chandra
Thomas M. T. Lei
Modeling PM<sub>10</sub> Emissions in Quarry and Mining Operations: Insights from AERMOD Applications in Malaysia
Atmosphere
air pollution
AERMOD model
air quality
rock crushing
quarry operation
iron ore mining
title Modeling PM<sub>10</sub> Emissions in Quarry and Mining Operations: Insights from AERMOD Applications in Malaysia
title_full Modeling PM<sub>10</sub> Emissions in Quarry and Mining Operations: Insights from AERMOD Applications in Malaysia
title_fullStr Modeling PM<sub>10</sub> Emissions in Quarry and Mining Operations: Insights from AERMOD Applications in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Modeling PM<sub>10</sub> Emissions in Quarry and Mining Operations: Insights from AERMOD Applications in Malaysia
title_short Modeling PM<sub>10</sub> Emissions in Quarry and Mining Operations: Insights from AERMOD Applications in Malaysia
title_sort modeling pm sub 10 sub emissions in quarry and mining operations insights from aermod applications in malaysia
topic air pollution
AERMOD model
air quality
rock crushing
quarry operation
iron ore mining
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/4/369
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