Fractional Composition and Toxicity Coal–Rock of PM10-PM0.1 Dust near an Opencast Coal Mining Area and Coal-Fired Power Station

Abstract

This study is aimed at elucidating the fractional composition, volume and toxicity of dust that is deposited in the snow cover for the period of snow accumulation at different distances from coal mines and a coal-fired power station in the Kemerovo region (Russia). During the filtration process, fractions of 10–0.1 µm and less than 0.1 µm were isolated and weighed. Light microscopy was used to estimate the size of dust particles in the 10–0.1 µm fraction. We found that the total volume and fractional composition of dust has no significant trend to change in the research space. The dust contamination is associated mainly with PM2 particles. Genotoxic tests on cell lines A549 and MRC-5 with different concentrations of dust showed high toxicity (including control points). Taking into account the fact that an increase in the concentration of PM leads to intensification in the toxicity of dust, we can determine that the territory within the studied boundaries is dangerous for the population. Our study is important for understanding the processes of formation, toxicity, transport and sedimentation in the snow cover from dust generated in the process of coal mining and the operation of a coal-fired power station.