Abstract
Particulate matter emissions from stack number 2 of a majorferrochrome smelter, Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Company(ZIMASCO) were characterized and the rates at which the elementsCr, Fe, Cu and Zn and total ferrochrome dust are emitted into theatmosphere were determined. The extent of soil contamination bythe dust deposited around the smelter in the generally prevailingsoutheasterly wind direction around the smelter was carried out.The highest concentrations of Cr and Fe occurred in the fineparticulates of sizes less than 59 μm whilst that of Cu and Znoccurred in the coarse particulates of size range 70-100 μm.The emission rates from stack 2 were; total ferrochromeparticulates 62.17 kg h-1, Cr 6.217 kg h-1, Fe 2.423 kg h-1, Zn42 mg h-1 and 6 mg h-1 for Cu. Particulate matter was emitted at arate of 289 mg m-3 from stack number 2. This value exceeds thelegal limit of 200 mg m-3. Chromium and iron are the metalsin the largest amounts. The particles that constitute the largestproportion of the dust were in the range of 58-107.5 μm. Thisis a characteristic feature of the particulate matter emissionsfrom ZIMASCO. Soils in the downwind direction from the smelterwere polluted with Cr up to a distance of about 700 m outward fromthe perimeter of the boundary of the smelter.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adeiumo, J. A., Obioh I. B., Ogunsola O. J., Akeredu, F. A., Olaniyi, H. B., Asubioio, O. I., Oluwole, A. F., Akande, O. A. and Spyron, N. M.: 1994, 'Atmospheric deposition of major, minor and trace elements within and around three cement factories', Radio. Anal. Nucl. Chem. 179, 187-194.
Asubioio, O.I., Obioh, I. B., Ogunsola, O. J., Akeredolu, F. A., Olaniyi, H. B., Asubioio, O. I., Oluwole, A. F., Akande, O. A. and Spyron, N. M.: 1993, 'Elemental characterization of airborne particulates at two Nigerian locations during the Harmattan season', J. Radio Anal. Nucl. Chem. 167, 283-293.
Gorverment of Zimbabwe: 1971, 'Atmospheric Pollution Control Act', Chapter. 318, Section 40 Subsection 33. This is presently being slated for review.
Bozoic, J., Maskery, D., Magg, S., Susil, H. and Smith, F. F.: 1989, 'Rapid procedure for the dissolution of a wide range variety of smelter samples prior to analysis by I.C.P AES', Analyst 114, 1401-1402.
Chan, W. H. and Lusis, M. A.: 1986, in Nriagu, J. O. and Davidson, C. I. (eds), Smelting of Operations and Trace Metal in Air and Precipitation in Sudbury Basins in Toxic Metals in the Atmosphere Editions, Vol. 17, John Wiley and Sons, pp. 116-117.
Chutke, N. L., Ambulkan, M. N., Aggarval, A. L. and Garg, A. N.: 1994, 'Instrumental Neutron activation analysis of ambient air dust particles from metropolitan cities in India', Environ. Poll. 85, 67-76.
Florence, T. M.: 1982, 'The speciation of trace elements in water. A review', Talanta 29, 345-364.
Galli, B. C., Burki, P. R., Nyffeller, P. U. and Schinder, P. W.: 1989, 'Particle size distribution of airborne materials', Intern. J. Environ. Anal. Chem. 35, 111-118.
Gordin, P. M.: 1985, 'Modeling of soil contamination by airborne lead and cadmium around several emission sources', Environ. Poll. (ser. B) 10, 197-114.
Harris, W. R., Silberman, O. and Sears, O. R.: 1985, 'Solubility of trace elements from fly ash from combustion of lignite, 1988', Intern. J. Environ. Anal. Chem. 34, 239-252.
Harrison, R. M. and Williams, C. R.: 1981, 'Characterization of airborne heavy metals within a primary Pb-Zn smelting works', Envion. Sci. Techol. 15, 1192.
Lide, D. R.: 1996, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 7th Edition, CRC Press Inc., Fort Lauderdale.
Institute of Mining Research (I.M.R.) ZIMBABWE REPORT-1992.
McGrath, S. P. and Smith, S.: 1990, in B. J. Alloway (ed.), 'Heavy Metals in Soils', Blackie, Glasgow pp. 130.
Mcmurry, P. H. and Wilson, J. C.: 1982, 'Growth levels for the formation of secondary ambient aerosols: Implications for chemical conversion mechanism', Atmos. Environ. 16, 121.
Oleyemi, E. A., Asubioio, O. I., Oluwole, A. F. and Toussaint, C. J. N.: 1994, 'Elemental concentration and source identification of air particulate matter at a Nigerian site-A preliminary study', J. Radio. Anal. Nucl. Chem. 179, 187-194.
Prendergast, M. D. A.: 1981, 'A Review of Zimbabwe's Chromium Resources and Ferrochromium Industry', MSc (Mineral Exploration) Dissertation, University of London, September.
Slater, D. L.: 1980, Institute of Mining Research, University of Zimbabwe, 'Composition of Zimbabwean Chromium Ores and the Derivation of Chemical and Physicochemical Ratings for Smelting the Ore to High Carbon Ferrochromium', Report No. 993, pp. 19-31.
Sithole, S. D., Moyo, N. and Macheka, M.: 1993, 'An assessment of lead pollution from vehicle emissions along selected roadways in Harare Zimbabwe', Intern. J. Environ. Anal. Chem. 53, 1-12.
Spiro, G. T. and Stigliani, W. M.: 1980, 'Environmental Issues in Chemical Perspective', State University of New York publication, 316-327.
Terok, S., Faigel, G., Jones, K. W., Rivers, M. C., Sutton, S. R. and Bait, S. R.: 1994, 'Chemical characterization of environmental particulate matter using synchroton radiation', X-Ray Spectrometry 23, 3-6.
Vincent, J. H.: 1994, 'Measurement of coarse aerosols in workshops. A review', Analyst 119, 3-7 and 19-20.
Wong, H.: 1985, 'Toxic effects of iron ore tailings and the response of watercress (plant) from tailings at high concentration of Fe, Zn and Mn.', Environ. Poll. (ser. A.) 38, 129-140.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pumure, I., Sithole, S.D. & Kahwai, S.G.T. Characterisation of Particulate Matter Emissions from the Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Company (Zimasco) Kwekwe Division (Zimbabwe): A Ferrochrome Smelter. Environ Monit Assess 87, 111–121 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024646115062
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024646115062