AAAR 34th Annual Conference
October 12 - October 16, 2015
Hyatt Regency
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Abstract View
Windblown Dust Characterization in the Canadian Oil Sands Region
XIAOLIANG WANG, Judith Chow, Steven Kohl, Laxmi Narasimha Yatavelli, Kevin Percy, Allan Legge, John Watson, Desert Research Institute
Abstract Number: 283 Working Group: Aerosol Physics
Abstract This study characterized the generation and chemical composition of windblown dust from various sources in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) in Alberta, Canada. The Portable In-Situ Wind Erosion Laboratory (PI-SWERL) equipped with two real-time dust monitors and a nine-channel filter sampler was used to simulate wind-driven erosion and measure dust emissions. Sixty four sites were measured, including oil sands mining facilities, quarry operations, and roadways around Ft. McMurray and Ft. McKay. Key parameters related to windblown dust generation were characterized including: threshold friction velocity, reservoir type, and emission potential. The threshold wind speed (measured at 10 m above ground level) for particle suspension varies from 11-21.5 km/h, and saltation occurred at >32 km/h. All surfaces have limited dust supplies at lower wind speeds of <27 km/h, but have unlimited dust supplies at the highest wind speed tested (56 km/h). Unpaved roads, parking lots, or bare land with high abundances of loose clay and silt materials along with frequent mechanical disturbances are the highest dust emitting surfaces. Paved roads, stabilized or treated (e.g., watered) surfaces with limited loose dust materials are the lowest emitting surfaces. Surface watering proved effective in reducing dust emissions, with potential emission reductions of 50-99%. Surface disturbances by traffic or other activities were found to increase PM10 emission potentials 9-160 times. Other cost-effect dust control methods with longer stabilization periods merit considerations. Distinct differences in chemical composition were observed between the facility and forest sites, particularly in the abundances of sulfur, sulfate, lead isotopes, and organic compounds, indicating the alteration of natural soils by industrial activities. These data will improve the accuracy of emission inventories, dust dispersion, transport, and source apportionment models, and help design and evaluate dust control measures.