Date of Award

2016

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Awarded

Master of Science (MS)

Program

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Department

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

College

Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies

Faculty Advisor

Rahman, Shafiqur

Description

Western North Dakota, USA is experiencing particulate matter (PM) emissions, especially coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2.5), due to heavy traffic on unpaved roads from rapid oil development. Particulate matters may affect human and animal health, as well as soil quality. Thus, the purpose of this research was to quantify and characterize PM. Particulate matter samples were collected using miniVOL™ portable air samplers in the pre-conditioned quartz filters which were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Electron Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS). The pooled average PM¬10 concentrations varied between 30.84 ± 14.19 to 70.42 ± 38.37 µg/m3 and PM2.5 concentrations varied between 14.08 ± 6.56 µg/m3 to 19.60 ± 7.51 µg/m3. SEM and EDS analysis revealed that most of the particulates were quartz (46%), followed by silicates (36%), biogenic particles (9%), etc. Soil analysis revealed that the average concentrations of most of the metals were below the reference level except mercury and lead.

Rights

NDSU Policy 190.6.2

Rights Link

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Handle Identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/28239

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