Characteristics and Emission Factors of Fugitive Dust at Gravel Processing Sites

Particles emitted from gravel processing sites have severely worsened ambient air quality. This study analyzed the fugitive dust emission characteristics at selected pollution sources using several kinds of particle samplers, including TSP, PM10, PM2.5, and dry deposition plate. It is the first attempt to modify emission factors of AP-42 with a systematical study, utilizing domestic information under dimensionless analysis at the gravel processing sites. Results showed that TSP concentrations at the boundary of gravel sites ranged from 280 to 1,290 µg/m3. Moreover, PM10 concentrations ranged from 135 to 550 µg/m3which were 1.2–1.5 times PM2.5concentrations, which ranged from 105 to 470 µg/m3. Emission of unpaved roads accounted for about 45–55% of the total emission at the gravel processing sites. The silt and moisture content of gravel/sand/dust affected the emission rate of each emission source and ranged from 0.1 to 8.3 % for silt and from 0.6 to 14 % for moisture. After statistical analysis using the least square method, the domestic emission factors of four main emission sources were developed. Furthermore, the size coefficient of emission factors for TSP, PM10, and PM2.5emission rate estimation equation were also determined in this study.