Comprehensive Evaluation of PM (Deposition/TSP) Pollution from Multiple Quarrying Activities.

Abstract

This study, for the first time, analyzed organic matter (OM)-ash fractions, inorganic/organic species, chemical structures, and inhibition effects (EI) in the same sample using a novel procedure. This allowed for an evaluation of the actual contributions of these species to particulate matter (PM) and environmental impacts. Results showed that the mobilities of Al, Co, and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Ni) varied between organic and inorganic phases depending on pH and organic groups. The transition of these elements into the organic phase, along with Ca, contributed to silica polymerization, increased EI in the organic eluate, and enhanced bioavailability in the presence of low water-soluble OM (WOM). Therefore, although Ca abundance reduced EI in the organic eluate, the organic eluate of multiple quarrying areas (MQA), with the lowest OM, exhibited an EI equivalent to the background area (BA). Although ΣPTEs in total suspended particulates (TSP) inorganic eluates decreased compared to total deposition (TD), EI increased. Due to TD-facilitated accumulation-transition and metabolite formation, leading to higher EI in organic eluates. This finding aligned with similar effects observed in aged atmospheric aerosols from the same region. MQA activities significantly contributed to inert dust pollution, Ca, Cu, Cr, ⁴⁰K, and Na accumulation, silica and alkali oxide abundance, SOA precursor (e.g., phthalic acid) transformation into more hazardous phthalate esters (PAEs), and new metabolite formation affecting climate change. These activities increased yearly TD and estimated mean TSP by 42 and 41 times, respectively, to 52.9 g/m²-year and 1.3 mg/m³ compared to BA. Despite MQA having the highest TSP-TD, semirural (SRRA) PM influenced by MQA exhibited the highest chemical composition and acute EI. Furthermore, it was found that, aside from Na and Se, there were no significantly enriched elements in MQA when compared to BA.