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1247008 
Journal Article 
Direct characterization of airborne particles associated with arsenic-rich mine tailings: Particle size, mineralogy and texture 
Corriveau, MC; Jamieson, HE; Parsons, MB; Campbell, JL; Lanzirotti, A 
2011 
1 
Applied Geochemistry
ISSN: 0883-2927
EISSN: 1872-9134 
26 
9-10 
1639-1648 
WOS:000295764700005 
Windblown and vehicle-raised dust from unvegetated mine tailings can be a human health risk. Airborne particles from As-rich abandoned Au mine tailings from Nova Scotia, Canada have been characterized in terms of particle size, As concentration, As oxidation state, mineral species and texture. Samples were collected in seven aerodynamically fractionated size ranges (0.5-16 mu m) using a cascade impactor deployed at three tailings fields. All three sites are used for recreational activities and off-road vehicles were racing on the tailings at two mines during sample collection. Total concentrations of As in the <8 mu m fraction varied from 65 to 1040 ng/m(3) of air as measured by proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis. The same samples were analysed by synchrotron-based microfocused X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (mu XANES) and X-ray diffraction (mu XRD) and found to contain multiple As-bearing mineral species, including Fe-As weathering products. The As species present in the dust were similar to those observed in the near-surface tailings. The action of vehicles on the tailings surface may disaggregate material cemented with Fe arsenate and contribute additional fine-grained As-rich particles to airborne dust. Results from this study can be used to help assess the potential human health risks associated with exposure to airborne particles from mine tailings. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.