Nanomineralogy in the real world: A perspective on nanoparticles in the environmental impacts of coal fire

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2016-03, Vol.147, p.439-443
• Main Authors: Sehn, Janaína L., de Leão, Felipe B., da Boit, Kátia, Oliveira, Marcos L.S., Hidalgo, Gelsa E., Sampaio, Carlos H., Silva, Luis F.O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Burning coal cleaning rejects (BCCR); Coal; Coal fires; Environment; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Human exposure; Industrial Waste - analysis; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Nano-minerals; Nanoparticles - analysis
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.12.065

Detailed geochemistry similarities between the burning coal cleaning rejects (BCCRs) and non-anthropogenic geological environments are outlined here. While no visible flames were detected, this research revealed that auto-combustion existed in the studied area for many years. The occurrence of several amorphous phases, mullite, hematite and many other Al/Fe-minerals formed by high temperature was found. Bad disposal of coal-dump wastes represents significant environmental concerns due to their potential influence on atmosphere, river sediments, soils and as well as on the surface and groundwater in the surroundings of these areas. The present work using multi-analytical techniques were performed to provide an improved understanding of the complex processes related with sulphide-rich coal waste oxidation, spontaneous combustion and newmineral creation. It recording huge numbers of rare minerals with alunite, montmorillonite, szmolnockite, halotrichite, coquimbite and copiapite at the BCCRs. The information presented the presence of abundant amorphous Si–Al–Fe–Ti as (oxy-)hydroxides and Fe-hydro/oxides with goethite and hematite with various degrees of crystallinity, containing potential hazardous elements (PHEs), such as Cu, Cr, Hf, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, Pb, Th, U, Zr, and others. Most of the nano-particles and ultra-fine particles found in the burned coal-dump wastes are the same as those commonly associated with coal cleaning rejects, in which oxidation of sulphides plays an important impact to environment and subsequently animal and human health. •Evaluation of the environmental impact of abandoned Brazilian coal fires area was performed.•Grave effort should be made to set clear restrictions of gendered soil utilization in cement industry.•The multi-analytical methodology has been applied to investigate elements occurrence in ultra-fine and nano-particles.