Environmental pollution due to heavy metals from mining activities, vehicular emissions, agricultural and biomass burning are a major concern in many parts of the world (UNEP, 2006). Extensive mining of chromite, platinum and silica in the GTM mining belt may pose a serious threat to the environment. Mining of these ores may release toxic metals such as hexavalent chromium and platinum group metals which are carcinogenic and mutagenic to human health (Zayed and Terry, 2003; Ravindra et al., 2001). Studies worldwide have found that ambient levels of PM 10 are associated with adverse health effects including increase in premature deaths, hospital admissions and emergency attendances for respiratory and cardiovascular disease and exacerbation of asthma (Pope III, 2000; Dockery, 2001). PM 2.5 which is smaller in aerodynamic diameter than PM 10 ,

No abstract

Air pollution from industrial point sources accounts for a large proportion of air pollution issues affecting many communities around the world. However, emissions from these sources are technically controllable by putting in place abatement technologies with feasible and stringent regulatory conditions in the operation licenses. Pollution from other sources such as soil erosion, forest fires, road dust, and biomass burning, are subject to several unpredictable natural or economic factors. In this study, findings from dispersion modelling and spatial analysis of pollution were presented to evaluate the potential impacts of PM10 emissions from point sources in the Greater Tubatse Municipality of Limpopo, South Africa. The Air Pollution Model (TAPM) was used to model nested horizontal grids down to 10 km for meteorology and 4 km resolution for air pollution was used for simulation of PM10. An analysis of annual and seasonal variations of PM10 emissions from point sources was undertaken to demonstrate their impact on the environment and the surrounding communities based on 2016 emissions data. A simple Kriging method was used to generate interpolation surfaces for PM10 concentrations from industrial sources with the purpose of identifying their areas of impact. The results suggest that valley wind channeling is responsible for the distribution of pollutants in a complex terrain. The results revealed that PM10 concentrations were higher closer to the sources during the day and distributed over a wide area during the night.

None We describe the measurement and spatial variability of particulate matter (PM) chemical composition, PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the Greater Tubatse Municipality, South Africa. Monthly samples were collected over 12 months (July 2015 to June 2016) using the inexpensive and easy to operate passive samplers of the University of North Carolina. Sites for sample collection were located at private residences, a church, a hospital and a school. Concentrations of PM 10 , PM 2.5 and PM chemical components were determined using computercontrolled scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The annual observed concentrations at all sites were below the South African National Ambient Air Quality Standards of 40 µg/m 3 for PM 10 and 25 µg/m 3 for PM 2.5. The Cr-rich and CrFe-rich particles showed substantial heterogeneity with high concentrations observed near the chrome smelters, and Si-rich particles were highest near the silicon mine. SiAl-rich particles were highest at sites close to busy roads, while SiAlFe-rich particles were less spatially distributed. The low spatial variability of SiAlFe-rich particles indicates that these elements are mainly found in crustal material. Using the synoptic meteorological parameters of The Air Pollution Model, we were unable to effectively determine correlations between PM 10 and mixing height, Monin-Obukhov length, air pollution potential, or coefficient of divergence. Significance: • We have shown that the use of University of North Carolina passive samplers coupled with computercontrolled scanning electron microscopy is effective in determining the chemical composition of PM. • The use of passive samplers is a cheap and effective method to collect data in remote areas of South Africa which have limited or no electricity supply. • Assessment of the spatial distribution of PM and PM chemical components can assist in the development of effective air quality management strategies.

A peak in the ambient ozone concentration was observed at three of the six ambient air quality monitoring stations in the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area on the second of June 2013. The ozone peak was associated with elevated concentrations of particulate matter, including PM10, PM2.5 and black carbon, but not sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide nor benzene. Back trajectory analysis using Hysplit showed that the air masses containing the high levels of ozone passed over areas influenced by coal fired power stations in the Waterberg, metal processing in the Bojanala region and high intensity fires 30km to 50km upwind of the stations.