Modelling the dispersion of particulate matter (PM10) via wind erosion from opencast mining-Moldova Nouă tailings ponds, Romania.

Abstract

Historically, Romania is known as a mining site of mineral substances, including gold, silver, copper, lead, zin, uranium, manganese, salt, and coal, whereby their long periods of exploitation and extraction affected human health and the environment in various ways. In Moldova Nouă southwest region of Romania, we investigated the environmental impacts of mining activities on air quality over 2021. We quantified PM10 emission rates through in situ monitoring, dispersion modelling, and horizontal and vertical fluxes. Statistical metrics, including the fraction within factor 2 (FAC2), mean bias (MB), mean gross error (MGE), normalized mean bias (NMB), normalized mean gross error (NMGE), coefficient of efficiency (COE), index of agreements (IOAs), and Taylor diagram signifying standards deviation (SD), root mean squared error (RMSE), and correlation coefficient (R), were used to evaluate the reliability of modelling results against observation. Results conclude that PM10 dispersion agrees with MB, MGE, NMB, NMGE, COE, IOA, and Taylor diagram and moderately with FAC2 metrics. PM10 hotspot was investigated in the vicinity of the tailings ponds of 115.5µgm-3 annual mean, 563.7µgm-3 daily mean, 63.3µgm-2s-1 annual horizontal flux, and 3.0µgm-2s-1 annual vertical flux. PM10 dispersion was identified to expand to Moldova Nouă City and nearby country Serbia. Findings concluded that a windy air mass accumulation across the overburdened dumps and ponds causes the increase of PM10 in the air, resulting in the region's pollution. Therefore, results recommend adopting a strategic mitigation measure for residents, policymakers, stakeholders, and urban planners.