A UAV-Based Air Quality Evaluation Method for Determining Fugitive Emissions from a Quarry during the Railroad Life Cycle

Abstract

Gravel is used in railway infrastructure to reduce environmental impacts and noise, but gravel on tracks must be replaced continuously because it deforms due to wear and weathering. It is therefore necessary to review the entire railroad life cycle. In this study, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was used to measure resuspended dust over a wide area. The dust was generated from transport movements in relation to the operation of a quarry, which represents the first stage of the railway life cycle. The dust was measured at Gangwon-do quarry using a Sniffer4D module, which can provide measurements at 1 s intervals through a light scattering method and has high reliability (R2 = 0.95 for PM2.5, R2 = 0.88 for PM10). The hourly generation of fugitive dust was calculated as 2937.5 g/h for PM2.5 and 4293.2 g/h for PM10. The social cost of dust generation was calculated as KRW 36.59 billion. The amount of dust generated per hour at the quarry was ~12 times greater than that generated by the operation of a regulator as a maintenance vehicle, with the largest amount of fugitive dust generated by the washing-type vehicle. This is the first study to measure the amount of fugitive dust generated in real time at 1 s intervals by monitoring the first stage of the railroad life cycle over a wide area using a Sniffer4D module attached to a UAV. This method can be replicated for use in various studies.

Multidimensional spatial monitoring of open pit mine dust dispersion by unmanned aerial vehicle

“…The dust distribution pattern was analyzed using the UAV mounted monitoring equipment 23 . The variation of dust concentration in winter was plotted according to PM2.5, PM10, and TSP concentrations and occupancy rates at different elevations, as shown in Fig.…”

“…The monitoring equipment was selected as Sniffer4D, and the reliability of the sensor was tested by the authority of The South China National Metrology Test Center 23 . The Sniffer4D monitors at a frequency of 1 s, a resolution of 5 m, and a weight of 1 kg, with the parameters shown in Table 2 .…”

Calibration Methods for Low-Cost Particulate Matter Sensors Considering Seasonal Variability

“…The Sniffer4D sensor was assessed against the Thermo Scientific Super Station by Jinan University in China over a period of approximately 180 days (Guangzhou, China). The results showed R 2 values of 0.95 and 0.88 for PM 2.5 and PM 10 , respectively [50]. Statistics on the mean, standard deviation, standard error, and measurements below the detection limit for PM 2.5 and PM 10 observations using BAM-1020, AM100, and Sniffer4D sensors can be found in Table 2.…”

Epigenetic mechanisms of particulate matter exposure: air pollution and hazards on human health

“…PM 1 contains elements of fugitive construction dust as well as chemical elements disposed of by industries in areas of vehicular flow. In contrast, PM 10 particles are predominantly composed of secondary particles ( Kim et al, 2021 ). The characterization of the chemical composition of PM is a reliable indicator of the composition of the atmosphere, the quality of breathed air in urbanized societies, industrial zones and consequently gives support for pertinent measures to avoid serious health damage.…”

“…Hypermethylation, on the other hand, is linked to developmental defects such as gestational diabetes and Down’s syndrome in a different time window of gestational development ( Jin et al, 2013 ; Reichetzeder et al, 2016 ). Additionally, exposure to PM 2.5 during the first trimester of pregnancy has been correlated with decreased global DNA methylation in placental tissue ( Janssen et al, 2013 ) and altered gene expression of S-adenosylmethionine ( SAM ), responsible of methyl groups’ transfer ( Kim et al, 2021 ; Maghbooli et al, 2018 ). Furthermore, significant DNA methylation changes have been reported in promoter regions of genes related to fetal growth and development as a result of maternal PM 2.5 exposure, such as the leptin gene ( LEP ) ( Saenen et al, 2017 ).…”