Control and Stabilization of Fugitive Dust: Using Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Materials

Abstract

Untreated soil is prone to erosion and dust generation that result in various environmental and health hazards. The addition of additives has been used as a soil treatment method to tackle this problem. Conventional techniques such as chemical additives impose negative ecological impacts and significant implementation and maintenance costs. This paper evaluates the efficiency of three eco-friendly biopolymers, xanthan gum, guar gum, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% concentrations for soil treatment against dust generation. This study also investigates the long-term performance and durability of biopolymers. Three types of samples (dust particles) were collected from different locations that generate the most dust in Iran: Hooralazim lagoon as a source of soil, Urmia lake bed as a source of saline sand, and Sungun copper mine as a source of mine tailing. Approximately 500 samples prepared and treated with different biopolymer concentrations were evaluated by the wind tunnel, moisture retention, surface strength, and uniaxial compression tests to identify the most effective biopolymer. The addition of biopolymers improved moisture retention, surface strength, compressive strength, and mitigation of dust generation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging was also used to study the microstructures of the specimens after treatment. A strong correlation was found between the weight loss after the wind tunnel test versus the maximum penetration force and the uniaxial compressive strength. In terms of dust generation preventive treatment, CMC was more effective than xanthan gum and guar gum. Hence, CMC was introduced as an alternative material for dust control due to its promising potentials.