Abstract
This paper presents the simultaneous measurement of atmospheric concentration of gaseous NH3, SO2 and NO2, and particulate NH +4 released from the mining activities of coal-mine area, Tirap colliery, Margherita (Assam). Gas samples were collected by impinger method and were analyzed colorimetrically. The vapor-phase concentration of NH3, SO2, and NO2 range between 4.7–40.03, 1.47–6.14, and 1.92–2.40 μg/m3. The NH +4 concentration in PM10 and PM2.5 ranges between 0.02–0.07 and 0.008–0.03 μg/m3, respectively. Moderately high concentrations of NH3 and SO2 on the first day were due to the coal-burning activity near the sampling site, while the low concentration of NO2 is due to less vehicle density near the sampling point. All the observed concentrations are below than those reported for the urban areas and the prescribed limit fixed by National Ambient Air Quality Standard, India. Study indicates that ammonia is the major neutralizing agent for sulfate and nitrate ions present in the particulate matter during mining activities.
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Acknowledgments
The work was funded by the Ministry of Coal, Government of India, New Delhi. The authors are thankful to the Director, NEIST, Jorhat for encouragement to carry out the work.
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Sarmah, M., Khare, P. & Baruah, B.P. Gaseous Emissions During the Coal Mining Activity and Neutralizing Capacity of Ammonium. Water Air Soil Pollut 223, 4795–4800 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-012-1235-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-012-1235-0