Air Quality Modeling of Non Radioactive Pollutant Emissions from Uranium Mine in a Complex Terrain Using WRF-CALPUFF Model in India - A Case Study

Neela Priya Eruvaram*, Satyanarayana. S.V**, Rajesh Lakshmi Narayana***
* Research Scholar, Department of Chemical Engineering, Jawaharla Nehru Technological University, Anantapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India.
** Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Jawaharla Nehru Technological University, Anantapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*** Uranium Corporation of India Limited, India.
Periodicity:September - November'2015
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jce.5.4.3641

Abstract

Monitoring and reporting of air pollutants released from mining activities is a mandatory routine practiced all over the world. Air quality modeling was performed using WRF-CALPUFF model to predict dispersion of the emissions from mining operations. PM2.5 and PM10 emissions were observed continuously using high volume air samplers at two ambient monitoring locations (AML-1&AML-2) near Tummalapalle Uranium mine in Y.S.R. Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Prime concern was to assess current possible discharge of PM10 , PM2.5 and to predict potential emission of particulate matter, SO2 , NOx and airborne dust containing uranium into the atmosphere from mine. Measured concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 from monitoring locations were compared with CALPUFF model predictions. Four statistical indicators have been computed to determine the models' ability to simulate observations. Statistical analysis indicated that, California Puff (CALPUFF) model has a tendency to under predict and the overall model's performance for two monitoring stations (AML-1&AML-2) was found to be good for PM10 when compared with PM2.5 (at AML-2 some statistical values were beyond the model acceptance range). The index of agreement varied from 0.39 to 0.43 and the total NMSE ranged from 0.08 to 8.36. The average 24hr peak concentrations of CALPUFF estimated pollutants (PM, SOx , NOx ) including uranium containing dusts were well within the Air Quality Standards (NAAQS and CPCB).

Keywords

Dispersion Model, CALPUFF Simulation, Particulate Matter, Airborne Uranium Containing Dust, Ambient Monitoring Location and Statistical Indicator.

How to Cite this Article?

Eruvaram,N,P., Satyanarayana..S.V., and Narayana,R,L. (2015). Air Quality Modeling of Non Radioactive Pollutant Emissions from Uranium Mine in a Complex Terrain Using WRF-CALPUFF Model in India - A Case Study. i-manager’s Journal on Civil Engineering, 5(4), 26-35. https://doi.org/10.26634/jce.5.4.3641

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