Literature DB >> 35496476

Updating "Characteristics of respirable dust in eight Appalachian coal mines: A dataset including particle size and mineralogy distributions, and metal and trace element mass concentrations" with expanded data to cover a total of 25 US mines.

Cigdem Keles1, Maria Jaramillo Taborda1, Emily Sarver1.   

Abstract

A total of 171 sets respirable dust samples were collected from 25 underground coal mines in several regions of the United States. One sample from each set was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) to determine particle size and mineralogy distributions. Results from the first eight mines were presented in the original dataset (Sarver et al., 2019). Here, the dataset is updated to include results from all 25 mines and to further subclassify particle mineralogy using improved SEM-EDX routines. The current article presents particle mineralogy binned by size between about 100-10,000 nm on a per sample basis, and data is also available on a per particle basis. Discussion of the SEM-EDX data is included in a parallel research article "Particle size and mineralogy distributions in respirable dust samples from 25 US underground coal mines" (Sarver et al., 2021). Moreover, sequential digestions and analysis of the digestates by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) were used to estimate mass concentrations of potentially bioaccessible and total-acid soluble metals and trace elements in the respirable dust samples. Results are included here for a total of 76 samples representing 15 mines; results from first eight mines were presented in the original dataset (Sarver et al., 2019) and discussed in an earlier research article (Sarver et al., 2019).
© 2022 The Author(s).

Entities:  

Keywords:  Black lung; Coal mining; Occupational health; Respirable dust

Year:  2022        PMID: 35496476      PMCID: PMC9046956          DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.108125

Source DB:  PubMed          Journal:  Data Brief        ISSN: 2352-3409


Specifications Table

Value of the Data

This dataset builds upon a previous effort to comprehensively analyze respirable coal mine dust [1]. It substantially increases the number of operations represented (i.e., 25 mines versus eight in the original data set), and expands the range of characteristics reported (i.e., particle mineralogy has now been further subclassified, presence of diesel particulates has been evaluated, and data are provided on a per particle basis). To our knowledge, there is no other available dataset that enables direct comparison between dust characteristics across numerous sampling locations, mine regions and conditions. The data may inform a range of stakeholders interested in respirable dust, including mine and environmental engineers; operations managers; labor representatives; government representatives; and researchers and clinicians in the health sciences. It may also inform future efforts to establish characterization methods for respirable particulates in occupational or other sensitive environments.

Data Description

The original dataset [1] included analysis of respirable coal mine dust samples collected in eight Appalachian coal mines (Mines 1–8). This updated dataset has been expanded to cover a total of 25 mines in the United States (including the original eight), from which 171 sets of respirable coal mine dust samples were collected. Each set represents a unique sampling event (i.e., specific sampling location in a specific mine), and included at least two replicate samples. One sample from each set was analyzed by scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) using two computer-controlled routines (i.e., one targeting submicron particles and the other targeting supramicron particles) to collect data on particle size and relative elemental ratios; data on a per-particle basis is available at: https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/zhvszymk7t/1. From the elemental data, particle mineralogy was also inferred using published classification criteria [2]. SEM images and EDX data from the submicron routine were also reviewed manually to assess the presence of particles consistent with morphology and chemistry of diesel particulate matter (DPM) [2]. (It is noted that the SEM-EDX analysis described here represents an improvement over that used to generate the original dataset [1] because it enables further subclassification of particle mineralogy and assessment of DPM. Thus, all 171 samples reported here were subjected to the improved analysis to allow direct comparisons across the entire dataset). Table 1 presents a summary of the particle analysis using the sub- and supramicron SEM-EDX routines for each sample, including the number of particles analyzed, total analyzed area, and resulting estimates of particle loading density and relative abundance (number%) of particles in each size range. Table 1 also indicates the assessment of DPM presence in each sample. Table 2 presents the relative abundance (number%) of sub- and supramicron particles in each of nine mineralogy classes per sample: carbonaceous (C); mixed carbonaceous (MC); aluminosilicates, kaolinite-like (ASK) or other (ASO); other silicates (SLO); silica (S); heavy minerals (M), which mostly included metal sulfides or oxides; carbonates (CB), or other (O).Table 3a, Table 3b, Table 3c, Table 3d, Table 3e, Table 3f, Table 3g, Table 3h–i further divide the relative abundance of particles in each mineralogy class across a total of 14 size bins (based on projected area diameter (nm) covering the sub- and supramicron ranges.
Table 1

Summary of sub- and supramicron SEM-EDX analysis data per sample. Shown for each sample are the mine region (i.e., B=mid-central Appalachia, A=northern Appalachia, C=south-central Appalachia, D=western, and E=mid-western), mine number (i.e., 1–25), and sampling location (i.e., I=intake, R=return, P=production, B=bolter, F=feeder). Assessment of DPM presence is also indicated (DPM = particles observed that are consistent with DPM morphology and chemistry, no DPM = no such particles observed, maybe = particles observed that might be DPM).

Sample
# of particles analyzed
Analyzed area (μm2)
Particle loading density (# particles/μm2)
Abundance (number%)
No.Reg.MineLoc.DPM presenceSubSupraSubSupraSubSupraSubSupra
1B1Fno DPM18650010,940121,8650.01700.00418317
2B1Bno DPM277500205431,3430.13490.0160919
3B1Ino DPM1850393971,093,9500.00190.00058416
4B1Rno DPM271500343132,5930.07900.01538614
5B1Bno DPM1623611,0801,795,2000.00140.0001946
6B1PDPM2984376311178,2390.04720.0025955
7B1Bno DPM259500315818,0190.08200.02777921
8B2Imaybe10750811,1891,697,0250.00960.0003973
9B2Rmaybe255500126621,6470.20140.0231919
10B2Bno DPM258500128110,7320.20140.04668416
11B2Pno DPM12350311,080361,6930.01110.00149010
12B2Fmaybe14950211,220305,0740.01330.0016919
13B2Bno DPM254500123813,6590.20520.03668713
14B3Imaybe2550310,5191,093,9500.00240.00058614
15B3Rmaybe264500411126,6170.06420.01888218
16B3Bno DPM2450010,5191,122,0000.00230.00048614
17B3Pmaybe261500278123,5680.09380.02128416
18B3Fmaybe5350010,9401,079,9250.00480.0005928
19B4Imaybe5950410,379344,1920.00570.00158119
20B4Rno DPM1750110,3791,668,9750.00160.00038614
21B4Bmaybe279500335030,1840.08330.01668614
22B4Fno DPM26110,7992,033,6250.00020.00008911
23A5Rno DPM264500382828,4160.06900.01768218
24A5Ino DPM225039677785,4000.00230.00067921
25A5Ino DPM5050110,659226,5950.00470.00227030
26A5Fno DPM8650510,379168,4830.00830.00307525
27A5Pno DPM280500740947,7150.03780.01058020
28A5Rno DPM267500457628,7210.05840.01747921
29A5Bno DPM12150710,23880,0640.01180.00636931
30A5Fno DPM13650210,799119,7000.01260.00427822
31A5Fno DPM23050010,26030,6720.02240.01636040
32A5Rno DPM251500157711,3110.15910.04428020
33A6IDPM2665048578109,5470.03100.00468812
34A6Rno DPM230500152711,8910.15060.04208119
35A6FDPM28050810,09895,6750.02770.00538614
36A6IDPM1735029911127,3530.01750.00398317
37A6Rno DPM217500329616,9520.06580.02957327
38A6Pno DPM134500993385,0650.01350.00597327
39A6IDPM153505978592,2910.01560.00557624
40A6RDPM14950210,238160,6170.01460.00318416
41A6Fmaybe515009818288,9450.00520.00177723
42A6Bmaybe4050010,3791,304,3250.00390.0004928
43A6IDPM4450193971,949,4750.00470.0003955
44A6Rmaybe9350110,5191,122,0000.00880.0004964
45A6Imaybe3446796772,187,9000.00350.0002955
46A6Fmaybe685059818241,5960.00690.00217921
47A6Ino DPM3449510,5191,711,0500.00320.0003928
48C7Rno DPM27750310,659140,0670.02600.00368911
49C7Ino DPM1550485551,255,4510.00180.00048317
50C7Rno DPM270500497249,9110.05430.01008713
51C7IDPM4750510,3791,287,3120.00450.0004937
52C7Fno DPM11150010,51940,0630.01060.01255149
53C7Pno DPM8750210,116135,4630.00860.00377327
54C7PDPM268500699180,1860.03830.00628812
55C7Fno DPM220500984365,4300.02240.00767723
56C7Bno DPM268500390133,7510.06870.01488515
57C7Rno DPM262500430752,3800.06080.00958812
58C7Pno DPM263505736354,0880.03570.00938119
59C7Bno DPM272500649243,7210.04190.01148020
60C7Fno DPM245500588538,0500.04160.01317921
61C7Pno DPM265503617172,4420.04290.00698713
62C8Rno DPM252500243112,6230.10370.03967525
63C8Pmaybe263500410867,3500.06400.0074928
64C8Ino DPM4750110,238203,5760.00460.00256733
65C8Fno DPM8250010,51956,7100.00780.00885050
66C8Imaybe7450410,5191,105,3530.00700.0005946
67C8Fmaybe615029537296,9030.00640.00178119
68C8Rno DPM251500713952,4720.03520.00958218
69C8Rno DPM264500129821,2200.20340.0236919
70C8Imaybe2950210,519151,9270.00280.00334951
71C8Rmaybe17950410,659127,9930.01680.00398317
72C8Fno DPM22350010,23873,3870.02180.00687921
73C8Pno DPM244500494423,8120.04930.02107327
74C8Pno DPM242500141711,0070.17070.04548218
75C8Bno DPM251500258621,1900.09700.02368317
76C8Bno DPM270500172521,5250.15650.02328911
77C9IDPM2915129116205,2930.03190.0025946
78C9Fno DPM5751011,080419,0430.00510.00128218
79C9FDPM268503971482,2360.02760.00618317
80C9RDPM12950511,220126,0270.01150.00407822
81C9IDPM7550810,940588,0440.00690.00099010
82C9BDPM263509589130,1620.04460.01697624
83C9PDPM251500646926,4040.03880.01897129
84C9Imaybe21650510,519308,5500.02050.0016937
85C9FDPM13550510,940193,7430.01230.00268416
86C9FDPM6450511,080265,9570.00580.00197822
87C9RDPM25550610,51945,9360.02420.01107228
88C9Bmaybe555049818230,2080.00560.00227525
89C9Bno DPM103503995892,1690.01030.00556733
90C9PDPM279504363567,6170.07680.0075928
91C11Rmaybe254506205914,7510.12340.03438119
92C11Pno DPM227506102316,0180.22190.03168911
93C11BDPM286507115920,4270.24690.0248928
94C11FDPM2925044657149,6550.06270.0034955
95B15Rmaybe269508361927,6540.07430.01848317
96B15Bno DPM17650410,23885,1070.01720.00597723
97B15Ino DPM278010,799336,6000.00250.0002928
98B15Pmaybe268450476930,7230.05620.01468218
99B15Fno DPM11350410,799104,0490.01050.00487129
100C12IDPM2995041524215,3910.19620.0023991
101C12PDPM258504194413,7280.13270.03678119
102C12BDPM2965023787105,6330.07820.0048955
103C12RDPM242508126314,0580.19170.03618713
104C14FDPM269501235715,9060.11410.03158119
105C14Pno DPM222501121713,6730.18250.03668515
106C14IDPM2975047433163,2180.04000.0031937
107C14BDPM15650211,080208,0320.01410.00248614
108A18Rno DPM267512375220,9220.07120.02457822
109A18Pno DPM258506161510,1310.15980.04998020
110A18Imaybe19450410,238452,2980.01890.0011955
111A18Bmaybe178503939765,5380.01890.00777426
112A18Fmaybe19950310,342155,4300.01920.00328713
113A17IDPM12450610,379181,4010.01190.00288317
114A17Ino DPM10450510,379109,9890.01000.00467228
115A17Pno DPM267507153111,7150.17440.04338317
116A17Rno DPM234503203090090.11530.05587228
117A17BDPM285511321030,0960.08880.01708614
118A17RDPM266509577025,0470.04610.02037327
119A16PDPM275504131913,5630.20850.03728713
120A16RDPM282509222136,3330.12700.0140919
121A16BDPM291507520377,8140.05590.0065919
122A16FDPM288507139524,2220.20640.0209928
123D19PDPM28351066813,5300.42380.0377937
124D19RDPM28550765811,1540.43340.0455928
125D19IDPM292503536986,6910.05440.0058919
126D19Fno DPM171505344518,3150.04960.02766733
127D19Bmaybe27250865410,9890.41570.0462928
128D19Rmaybe27650680411,5830.34320.0437919
129D20Pno DPM26850391210,1640.29390.04958812
130D20RDPM28450657912,6060.49030.0401946
131D20FDPM29750988093,9510.33760.0054991
132D20IDPM2985061953272,2500.15260.0019991
133D20FDPM29050760210,4280.48210.0486928
134D20BDPM27350561310,5600.44570.0478928
135C13Bno DPM237504126810,8900.18690.04638317
136C13Rno DPM242507135210,7250.17900.04738020
137C13FDPM28750595618,0840.30040.0279928
138C13IDPM147505925757,8490.01590.00876832
139C13RDPM264504449618,7110.05870.02697228
140C13IDPM271504201119,3380.13480.02618515
141C10FDPM213506645288,6710.03300.00578416
142C10RDPM280515631156,2980.04440.00918020
143C10BDPM266506146316,0380.18180.03168119
144C10Pno DPM26950662192400.43310.05488416
145C10FDPM278505350616,4010.07930.03087129
146C10BDPM26550889098670.29770.05158020
147C10IDPM2945098836387,1890.03330.0013955
148C22FDPM2935021632122,8920.17950.0041982
149C22PDPM248505190612,1110.13010.04177921
150C22IDPM2975022092236,5110.14200.0021991
151C21Pno DPM257502115411,5830.22260.04338614
152C21FDPM271500585337,2900.04630.01348020
153C21IDPM261509386821,8460.06750.02337822
154C21BDPM265508717624,7830.03690.02056931
155C21Rno DPM251501169411,4180.14810.04398020
156E23IDPM29950338917,3910.76920.0289973
157E23IDPM29550543731,2180.67570.0162982
158E23IDPM29350331717,6550.92310.0285973
159E23RDPM27251071510,8900.38030.0468919
160E23Pno DPM257508223918,3810.11480.02768416
161E24RDPM29650731715,8730.93440.0319973
162E24IDPM25650556799000.45170.0510919
163E24FDPM30050438234,0890.78470.0148982
164E24Rno DPM25250657398670.43960.0513919
165E24IDPM29750819640,6561.51500.0125991
166E24IDPM29950424747,1901.21220.0107991
167C25Ino DPM3115005610100,0520.05540.0050928
168C25Fno DPM312500170612,3790.18290.04048416
169C25Bno DPM300500139110,5350.21570.04758416
170C25Rno DPM302500171224,8570.17640.0201928
171C25Pno DPM32050089914,5190.35610.0344937
Table 2

Relative abundance of sub- and supramicron particles in each mineralogy class per sample. (Values sum to 100% for each sample).

Abundance (number%)
C
MC
ASK
ASO
SLO
S
M
CB
O
Sample NoSubSupraSubSupraSubSupraSubSupraSubSupraSubSupraSubSupraSubSupraSubSupra
149420311530011202430
2411311421240041000000
35411410001000000161300
4390261431270031001100
582412100000000000100
69101000110000001310
72112226424120051101000
8440403024100200017050
920901014320645000000
10107000311020436001000
11341502022510243101000
127745111420031100000
1320503069130080000000
1461140011030042008600
15241232532290072100000
16392211027300027111400
17111132834590042100000
188147101020020200100
19262151732690043101100
20701500001000000111000
213112011210500234100000
228870100010001000100
23353192941670021001200
2453201427600020015700
25327725212400111091330
26212614192002100331711
27486132104640011102300
28393152831060011006500
291881122295102110231321
303561132122001000261110
31185513063102110242722
32205000311000205515123
33401141108200103021600
3410300000200010651871
3559216211330011106600
3670600040000000611640
37100600020000000542501
383619123221000100021310
39323810000000000351900
40493171112100101014900
41587510151000000101200
428012120010020203400
438204000200020005300
448811020201010000300
458313000000000009300
46611111332110000003400
47461190000030003022500
4847224132740031401100
4965100010600510011701
50391252431560031001000
518412001010000006400
5218894131010001211102011
53386122341190012107400
54321261621541051102210
551411227529110072105120
56282242311950031006500
572512914119600102100000
58363182421560031005500
592711928322110041001100
602211615430120021003210
61311191522770041002100
6210300052000000581479
63370221328300212000000
641433133231400183006702
652051143912240014101300
668911001330010000100
6763311103360002004300
681711619528101092001110
69140120005210596000000
70272212613270035002901
71442121548600132101200
722721622211800186102100
7310016122281910154100000
74000000277005512000000
753011613313800214000000
764001810110400215000000
778139100210020000000
7846122401360061313202
79394214311341041200010
804110215111030041200000
818432201020000102210
82379217321460011100000
832531744318150052101210
848225100310020002200
8556816310611010201300
86442152549100042001100
874010147121050042101200
882752451115100032303100
89371176031560032104411
90482231111021010405100
9100105172180030100000
9200206076110050000000
93590141211350011201000
948924100010000100000
95283233941950041000000
964210174221030042002200
978513100000000300600
9849519364730021000100
9961184211420001002500
1009910000000000000000
101202193653180031200000
1029231100100000001000
10320606166120030001020
1044221531317100021301000
10500002083150010000000
1068722100310000001200
10760515312920001101000
10846617555850021000000
1091211911293590020000000
1108913010000010000200
111339205541140032201100
1128064201010000001200
1134621910020000010151300
114391220436330011205200
1151311622692450020100010
1160000291738110050000000
11753314110210082008600
11838101421010001000181310
119425164518200111201011
12073610120100010301000
1217957110200010100100
1228157121100000001000
123432232001621020206100
124301322001631060106110
1258531100110000003300
126301111045280063001000
127281302102640070000000
128341312001741050201000
12900200078120030004020
130391331101730000102100
1319611000100000001000
1329701000000010000100
133622161101120010001100
134201300056600301015220
13500007168170080000000
136000000211800000644616
1378554100100000101100
138521342001100001091600
13961217311120011100100
1407464201440011001110
1417068302431001100000
142581015311331012100000
14342629432670011000000
144000050113350001000000
14549611538681001110000
1461722221672380011000000
1478725100100011100000
1489212000000020100000
14910302067200070000000
1509711000100000000000
15110003077140040000000
152315255221450031401100
153464185131070031001100
15432620613890032202401
15500102171190060000000
1569223000000000001000
15780140000000000013100
15883111000000000003100
159530150000000000022800
1601611310010000010511410
1618315000400041001000
1626050005100767000000
1639711000000000000000
164201010170300000587112
1659900000000000000000
1669901000000000000000
16761251211511041103100
168151162313891051402111
16930908458110050100000
170382212312620030100000
171321251422830030100000
Table 3a

Relative abundance of carbonaceous (C) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in C class as shown in Table 2 for each sample).

Relative abundance of C particles (number%)
Sub
Supra
Sample No[87, 200)[200, 300)[300, 400)[400, 500)[500, 600)[600, 700)[700, 800)[800, 900)[900, 1000)[1000, 2000)[2000, 3000)[3000, 4000)[4000, 5000)≥5000
11917632010130000
21116841000010000
31849413400010000
41114922010000000
55723000000240000
66718420000000000
757331000010000
8336311000000000
910010000000000
1000000000000000
11302011000010000
125020421010131000
1310010000000000
143417330300010000
15135410000110000
162410030000010000
1753210000010000
184021357320021100
1985840000010000
2040151000500010000
21166431000010000
224304300000260000
231211523100021000
24434700000011000
251510133000152000
2697231000011000
271312845410141100
28149532220121000
2944222110151100
3085684310141000
3124452100151000
3200100000000000
33218621000010000
3410000000000000
352916922000020000
3641100000000000
3732211100000000
38776563002115210
39154521300011100
402510533210121000
413716130000132110
425914520000010000
436015400000200000
446712513000000000
455522330000010000
463315822000173100
47385000300010000
4817141022100010000
4922331100000010000
501212932000110000
5153181020200010000
5264420000162000
53159462100142100
54109722200010000
5554201000010000
56612711000011000
57108421000000000
58911842010121000
59107441100010000
6066432000010000
611110622000010000
6211000000000000
631510721100000000
6471041000021000
6593511100141100
667210410100000000
673913434000011100
6876221000010000
6954210000000000
70192600000020000
712012741000011000
72811322000021000
7343210000000000
7400000000000000
75138622000000000
761613631100000000
773824862110130000
781120731110000000
791610732000140000
8017113511003100000
814022924500120000
821411422100290000
83106531100020000
844424923000020000
852714950100171000
86205784000110000
8716105231103101000
881010111000241000
89811643310191000
901919621000120000
9100000000000000
9200000000000000
933117722000000000
945619770100010000
95118610100130000
961411911110281000
975720330000011000
982013841000250000
9925134563212114210
1007316721000010000
10195321000120000
1025920821100131000
10301100000000000
1042211530000110000
10500000000000000
1065918630010020000
1073120420100150000
1081414663200250000
10944310000010000
11051221131000110000
111912441000271100
11241211240100151000
1132714311000120000
1141512731010292000
11553400000010000
11600000000000000
1173312321100120000
118117743210282000
1191810643100131000
12034151163310151000
1214816642100141000
1224322852100141000
123229542000010000
124139520010010000
1256016521100020000
12611000100000000
127913411000010000
128148631100010000
12900000000000000
1301811621100010000
13156241132000010000
13263211021000000000
1333915531000020000
13411000000000000
13500000000000000
13600000000000000
1374823841100131000
13829154100002111000
13926911543202144200
1404113664310141100
14103716114110014000
14202516104110037000
1430131264420024000
14400000000000000
1450271253200014100
146010231000011000
1470542093200011000
1485525831000010000
14900000000000000
15057251031200010000
15100000000000000
152157331000140000
1532112542100240000
154129621000250000
15500000000000000
1566121721100020000
1575415442010010000
1585019732100010000
1593710411000000000
16093110100110000
1615616721100010000
16221110000000000
1636025721100010000
16400000000000000
16549251275100000000
16654271053000000000
1674310410010120000
16865120000010000
16921000000000000
1701611711100110000
1711510421000010000
Table 3b

Relative abundance of mixed-carbonaceous (MC) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in C class as shown in Table 2 for each sample).

Relative abundance of MC particles (number%)
Sub
Supra
Sample No[87, 200)[200, 300)[300, 400)[400, 500)[500, 600)[600, 700)[700, 800)[800, 900)[900, 1000)[1000, 2000)[2000, 3000)[3000, 4000)[4000, 5000)>=5000
113542120120000
214768210110000
300440400010000
413875100110000
566000000010000
600000000000000
713653210120000
811110000000000
922221000000000
1013111000000000
1131010000000000
1211210000010000
1321100000000000
1403000000000000
1535453110120000
1607333300010000
1725401000120000
1823020000000000
1953411000010000
2000500000000000
2132464000010000
2200000000010000
2315432310010000
2400000000010000
2503101010011000
2603211000000000
2713322100011000
2812323200020000
2912431110020000
3023321010020000
3101210100010000
3201120100000000
3322433100010000
3401100000000000
3521332210110000
3623100000000000
3711121100000000
3825221000020000
3912201000000000
4016441100010000
4100030010010000
4220000000000000
4300200200000000
4400010000000000
4530000000000000
4623201100020000
4755530000000000
4823755200010000
4900000000000000
5024573300120000
5120000000000000
5202221000121000
5302242120020000
5444555210010000
5522330100120000
5626962000110000
5736963200000000
5825533000010000
5934542100020000
6014322210010000
6135532110010000
6211100000000000
6335442200110000
6400110000010000
6511321200130000
6610000000000000
6704330100010000
6813433110110000
6942321000000000
7000200000010000
7112431010010000
7223341110010000
7334421100010000
7400000000000000
7533243200110000
7634332310010000
7722221100010000
7864333110131000
7953542110041000
8025652200151000
8101000000020000
8233534110151000
8321342110140000
8421110000000000
8514433110021000
8621242200120000
8712233200161000
8815554300141000
8911130010032000
9037832000010000
9100000000000000
9200100000000000
9353211210010000
9411001010010000
9543732110130000
9631353110131000
9730000000010000
9811455210030000
9911101000020000
10000000000000000
10133632110130000
10200001000000000
10311021000000000
10422232110130000
10500000000000000
10601100000010000
10722334110021000
10813533110140000
10936531100010000
11000210000000000
11123544100150000
11201010100010000
11315462100010000
11413553210141000
11534332000120000
11600000000000000
11724421010010000
11813423000110000
11926232100131000
12012142100010000
12102112110010000
12211122100010000
12344453210020000
12458553320020000
12500000000010000
12622321100010000
12776823300120000
12848744210120000
12910000000000000
13047774110110000
13100000000000000
13200000000000000
13343232110010000
13452321000000000
13500000000000000
13600000000000000
13710201000000000
13800120000020000
13900131100121000
14011001100010000
14100001222100210
14200124421000200
14300237753101300
14400000000000000
14500102242101410
14600554431001100
14700011210000100
14800001000000000
14902010000000000
15000001000000000
15100000000000000
15214574300141000
15321453100150000
15413454110151000
15500100000000000
15620000000000000
15721100000000000
15871110000000000
15974110010000000
16024431000010000
16130100000000000
16210101100000000
16300000000000000
16400000000000000
16500000000000000
16600000000000000
16721111000010000
16864112110120000
16942110000000000
17033463100120000
17166741100010000
Table 3c

Relative abundance of kaolinite-like aluminosilicates (ASK) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in ASK class as shown in Table 2 for each sample).

Relative abundance of ASK particles (number%)
Sub
Supra
Sample No[87, 200)[200, 300)[300, 400)[400, 500)[500, 600)[600, 700)[700, 800)[800, 900)[900, 1000)[1000, 2000)[2000, 3000)[3000, 4000)[4000, 5000)>=5000
101000000010000
200101100010000
300000000000000
410110100120000
500000000000000
600000000000000
700111100131000
801100010000000
900000000000000
1000000000000000
1101011000000000
1200010000010000
1311100000000000
1400000000010000
1511101100121000
1600000000011000
1711211100021000
1800000000010000
1910030110021000
2000000000000000
2100000000010000
2200000000000000
2320021210131000
2400040000001000
2511001000011000
2602111000000000
2712121110121000
2812112100030000
2911000100010000
3001110010000000
3101011000000000
3200000000000000
3300000000000000
3400000000000000
3500100000000000
3600000000000000
3700000000000000
3811001000010000
3900000000000000
4000100000010000
4100000000000000
4200002000000000
4300000000000000
4400000110000000
4500000000000000
4600200010010000
4700000000000000
4800010100020000
4900000000010000
5001002000020000
5100000000000000
5200000000021100
5300111000021000
5401111100010000
5502112100031100
5601110000010000
5710111100010000
5810011100010000
5910211210021000
6010111100121000
6101111100010000
6200000000000000
6300111000010000
6400110000010100
6510011010043100
6600000000000000
6700000000011000
6811211110131000
6900000000000000
7000200000031100
7101002000021000
7200001100011000
7300110000010000
7400000000000000
7511100000020000
7600000000010000
7700000000000000
7800000000000000
7900111000001000
8000010000010000
8100000000010000
8200001100010000
8301101100021000
8400000000000000
8500000100000000
8601101010021000
8700001000011000
8800010000001000
8900000000011100
9010000000000000
9101310000010000
9211200010000000
9310000000010000
9400000000000000
9521111110021000
9600010000011000
9700000000000000
9811111010022000
9900001000000000
10000000000000000
10111122100141000
10200000000000000
10311211000110000
10400000000021000
10500001000000000
10600000000000000
10700100000011000
10801110110031000
10922222100171000
11000000000000000
11110012100022100
11200000000001000
11300000000000000
11400012000032100
11523457310171000
116365533103142100
11700000010000000
11800000000000000
11910011100010000
12001010100000000
12100000100000000
12210000010000000
12300000000000000
12400000000000000
12500000000000000
12600000000000000
12700000000000000
12800000000000000
12900000000000000
13001000000000000
13100000000000000
13200000000000000
13300000000000000
13400000000000000
13511211100010000
13600000000000000
13700000000000000
13800000000000000
13900010000000000
14000000000000000
14100000000000011
14200000000000001
14300001001100011
14400081412104320161
14500000002100043
14600032234210141
14700000000000000
14800000000000000
14901000000000000
15000000000000000
15101100000000000
15200010100011000
15300000000021000
15400001000021000
15500100000010000
15600000000000000
15700000000000000
15800000000000000
15900000000000000
16000000000000000
16100000000000000
16200000000000000
16300000000000000
16400000000000000
16500000000000000
16600000000000000
16711000000000000
16810110010010000
16931111100131000
17011000100010000
17110111100010000
Table 3d

Relative abundance of other aluminosilicates (ASO) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in ASO class as shown in Table 2 for each sample).

Relative abundance of ASO particles (number%)
Sub
Supra
Sample No[87, 200)[200, 300)[300, 400)[400, 500)[500, 600)[600, 700)[700, 800)[800, 900)[900, 1000)[1000, 2000)[2000, 3000)[3000, 4000)[4000, 5000)>=5000
101001110021000
202114210031000
300000000010000
412132120161000
500000000000000
600000000000000
7123535302102100
855455110010000
921232100130000
1059434310282100
1147334100021100
1211012100021000
13121511147630292100
1430033000021000
1523353220171000
1600003030021000
1785899330162100
1800000000010000
1954543130142100
2000000000000000
2101123110131000
2200000000000000
2332215220151000
2400400004021111
2515111100021100
2641111010011000
2711112000021000
2812121110142000
2923111110021111
3000101100010100
3111121000011000
3211010010010000
3320211100020000
3400000000000000
3510010100020000
3600210000000000
3700011000000000
3800011000000000
3900000000000000
4000010100000000
4100013000010000
4200000000000000
4302000000000000
4400110000000000
4500000000000000
4600000001010000
4700000000000000
4811111200031000
4900000000032100
5011123420141000
5100000000000000
5201122200144210
5322213010152110
5422232310121100
5536482410163111
5612443310131000
5722243410151000
5802344100141000
5932453210172100
6017562620172110
6134556410142100
6201102010010000
6300122100020000
6413740700164221
65221222100135322
6600101000011100
6700010010032110
6833853320162100
6901111000020000
70303050002127521
7101110300032110
7212122210161000
73444453112123210
7444643320161000
7521213110161000
7601222200130000
7700010000000000
7830000000051000
7912232210022100
8001142020021000
8100000000010000
8211222320032100
8312423510184201
8400010000000000
8500220100000000
8601105001172100
8711111311022100
8810373010033211
8933133120012210
9031311000010000
911113141297212134100
921312131511730182100
9333332000031000
9400000000000000
9533143310031100
9632202200011100
9700000000000000
9811112010021000
9911011100011000
10000000000000000
10134365620162000
10210000000000000
10371514109620292100
10412233310163100
10511151616129302113100
10601100000000000
10711222100001100
10810022210031000
10926567420272000
11000000000000000
11112002420021000
11200000000000000
11300011000000000
11400001200021000
11523435520141000
11655767510282100
11700000100000000
11800001000000000
11921220200010000
12000000000000000
12100010100000000
12200000000000000
12332333200010000
12413232210020000
12500100000000000
126896873202186210
12735455310031000
12833521200140000
129915131512821292000
13034323210120000
13100000000000000
13200000000000000
13323022110021000
1341013998510151000
135891313127302133100
13624245310000000
13710000000000000
13800000000000000
13900000100011000
14010100100021100
14100001100110002
14200000101110001
14300001021122002
144000051076420012
14500001112111016
14600003356531014
14700000000000000
14800000000000000
14991113998313153110
15000000000000000
1511313814149402103100
15221242310022100
15311111320051100
15412011100143100
15510131212108302144110
15600000000000000
15700000000000000
15800000000000000
15900000000000000
16001000000000000
16121000000000000
16212010000010000
16300000000000000
16422424110000000
16500000000000000
16600000000000000
16743322110000000
16877556430162100
1691412878520182100
17043355310020000
17175334310120000
Table 3e

Relative abundance of other silicate (SLO) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in SLO class as shown in Table 2 for each sample).

Relative abundance of SLO particles (number%)
Sub
Supra
Sample No[87, 200)[200, 300)[300, 400)[400, 500)[500, 600)[600, 700)[700, 800)[800, 900)[900, 1000)[1000, 2000)[2000, 3000)[3000, 4000)[4000, 5000)>=5000
100000000000000
200000000000000
300000000000000
400000000000000
500000000000000
600000000000000
700000000000000
800000000000000
901000000000000
1011000000000000
1100010000000000
1200000000000000
1300000000000000
1400000000000000
1500000000000000
1600000000000000
1700000000000000
1800000000000000
1900000000000000
2000000000000000
2100000000000000
2200000000000000
2300000000000000
2400000000000000
2500000000000000
2600000000000000
2700000000000000
2800000000000000
2900000100000000
3000000000000000
3101000000000000
3200000000000000
3300000000000000
3400001000000000
3500000000000000
3600000000000000
3700000000000000
3800000000000000
3900000000000000
4000000000000000
4100000000000000
4200000000000000
4300000000000000
4410000000000000
4500000000000000
4600000000000000
4700030000000000
4800000000000000
4900000000000000
5000000000000000
5100000000000000
5200000000000000
5300000000000000
5400000000000000
5500000000000000
5600000000000000
5700000000000000
5800000000000000
5900000000000000
6000000000000000
6100000000000000
6200000000000000
6300000000000000
6400000000000000
6500000000000000
6600000000000000
6700000000000000
6800000000000000
6900000000000000
7000000000000000
7100000000000000
7200000000000000
7300000000000000
7400000000000000
7500000000000000
7600000000000000
7700000000000000
7800000000000000
7900000000000000
8000000000000000
8100000000000000
8200000000000000
8300000000000000
8400000000000000
8501000000000000
8600000000000000
8700000000000000
8800000000000000
8900000000000000
9000000000000000
9100000000000000
9200000000000000
9300000000000000
9400000000000000
9500000000000000
9600000000000000
9700000000000000
9800000000000000
9900000000000000
10000000000000000
10100000000000000
10200000000000000
10300000000000000
10400000000000000
10500000000000000
10600000000000000
10700000000000000
10800000000000000
10900000000000000
11000000000000000
11100000000000000
11200000000000000
11300000000000000
11400000000000000
11500000000000000
11600000000000000
11700000000000000
11800000000000000
11900000000000000
12000000000000000
12100000000000000
12200000000000000
12300000000000000
12401000000000000
12500000000000000
12600000000000000
12700000000000000
12800000000000000
12900000000000000
13000000000000000
13100000000000000
13200000000000000
13300000000000000
13400000000000000
13500000000000000
13621131100000000
13700000000000000
13800000000000000
13900000000000000
14000000000000000
14100000000000000
14200000000000000
14300000000000000
14400000000000000
14510000000000000
14600000000000000
14700000000000000
14800000000000000
14900000000000000
15000000000000000
15100000000000000
15200000000000000
15300000000000000
15400000000000000
15500000000000000
15600000000000000
15700000000000000
15800000000000000
15900000000000000
16000000000000000
16100000000000000
16200000000000000
16300000000000000
16410000000000000
16500000000000000
16600000000000000
16700000000000000
16800000000000000
16900000000000000
17000000000000000
17100000000000000
Table 3f

Relative abundance of silica (S) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in S class as shown in Table 2 for each sample).

Relative abundance of S particles (number%)
Sub
Supra
Sample No[87, 200)[200, 300)[300, 400)[400, 500)[500, 600)[600, 700)[700, 800)[800, 900)[900, 1000)[1000, 2000)[2000, 3000)[3000, 4000)[4000, 5000)>=5000
100010000010000
210110100010000
300000000000000
400011100010000
500000000000000
600000000000000
701211100010000
800110000000000
991211119840151000
10117984310151000
1144346300011000
1200110100000000
1311221010000000
1403000000011000
1512110010020000
1600000000010000
1711110000010000
1800200000000000
1901101000021000
2000000000000000
2122463410131000
2200000000010000
2300001010000000
2400000000010000
2500010000000000
2611000000000000
2700000000010000
2800000000010000
2910010000000000
3001000100000000
3100110000010000
3200000000000000
3300010000000000
3400000000000000
3500000000000000
3600000000000000
3700000000000000
3801000000000000
3900000000000000
4000010000000000
4100000000000000
4200000200000000
4320000000000000
4400100000000000
4500000000000000
4600000000000000
4700000000000000
4801101000010000
4900050000010000
5000111000010000
5100000000000000
5200010000010000
5300000010011000
5411201100010000
5512121000020000
5600110010000000
5711142000020000
5801100000010000
5900111100010000
6000000100000000
6100120000010000
6200000000000000
6311553410120000
6416131330021000
6500100000021100
6600000100000000
6700000000011000
6812310200011000
6949111410630151000
7003000000031000
7102043210020000
7213335200151000
7322333110031000
74986129630192100
7523433330130000
7624445210140000
7700000000000000
7811011000000000
7901011110010000
8000111110010000
8100000000000000
8200000000000000
8310101100010000
8400011000000000
8500001000000000
8602100000020000
8700011010010000
8801000100011000
8900011110010000
9000000000000000
9100011000000000
9200211000000000
9300000000000000
9400000000000000
9500110110010000
9600100100010000
9700000000000000
9800001000010000
9900000000000000
10000000000000000
10100002100010000
10200000000000000
10301111000000000
10400000000010000
10500000000000000
10600000000000000
10700000000010000
10800010100010000
10901000100000000
11000000000000000
11100001100010000
11200000000000000
11300000000000000
11400000001000000
11500101000000000
11601111110000000
11701021100020000
11800000000000000
11900010000000000
12000110000000000
12100000000000000
12200000000000000
12300100000000000
12412011110000000
12500000000000000
12601211200020000
12711121000000000
12801111100000000
12911010000000000
13000000000000000
13100000000000000
13200000000000000
13300001000000000
13400011000000000
13521211100000000
13600000000000000
13700000000000000
13800000000000000
13900000000000000
14000000000000000
14100000000001000
14200000001011100
14300000000100000
14400000000000000
14500000000000000
14600000001000000
14700000000010000
14810000000000000
14912211100000000
15000000000000000
15110011100000000
15200100110010000
15300011100010000
15400100000010000
15511001210000000
15600000000000000
15700000000000000
15800000000000000
15900000000000000
16000000000000000
16120101000000000
162162113810420161000
16300000000000000
16400000000000000
16500000000000000
16600000000000000
16721100000000000
16821101000000000
16911111100000000
17001110000000000
17101011000000000
Table 3g

3g. Relative abundance of other heavy mineral (M) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in M class as shown in Table 2 for each sample).

Relative abundance of M particles (number%)
Sub
Supra
Sample No[87, 200)[200, 300)[300, 400)[400, 500)[500, 600)[600, 700)[700, 800)[800, 900)[900, 1000)[1000, 2000)[2000, 3000)[3000, 4000)[4000, 5000)>=5000
100000100000000
200000000000000
300000000000000
400000000000000
500000000000000
600000000000000
700000000000000
800000000000000
900000000000000
1000000000000000
1110000000000000
1200010000000000
1300000000000000
1400000000000000
1500000000000000
1603000300000000
1700000000000000
1820000000000000
1900001000000000
2000000000000000
2100000000000000
2200000000000000
2300000000000000
2400000000000000
2500010000000000
2600000000000000
2700000000000000
2800000000000000
2900101000000000
3000000000000000
3100000000000000
3200111000000000
3300111000000000
3400001000000000
3500001000000000
3600000000000000
3700000000000000
3800000000000000
3900000000000000
4001001000000000
4100000000000000
4200002000000000
4300000000000000
4400000000000000
4500000000000000
4600000000000000
4700030000000000
4802101000000000
4900000000000000
5000000000000000
5100000000000000
5200000010010000
5300000100000000
5400000000000000
5500000000000000
5600000000000000
5700000000000000
5800000000000000
5900000000000000
6000000000000000
6100000000000000
6200000000000000
6300000000000000
6400000000000000
6500010000000000
6600000000000000
6700000000000000
6800000000000000
6900000000000000
7000000000000000
7100000000000000
7200000000000000
7300000000000000
7400000000000000
7500000000000000
7600000000000000
7700000000000000
7800010100010000
7900001100000000
8001010000000000
8101000000000000
8200000000000000
8300000000000000
8400000000000000
8501110000000000
8600000000000000
8700001000000000
8800001100000000
8900010000000000
9000110100000000
9100000000000000
9200000000000000
9310110000000000
9400001000000000
9500000000000000
9600000000000000
9700300000000000
9800000000000000
9900000000000000
10000000000000000
10100101000000000
10200000000000000
10300000000000000
10410111000000000
10500000000000000
10600000000000000
10710000000000000
10800000000000000
10900000000000000
11000000000000000
11100001000000000
11200000000000000
11301000000000000
11400010100000000
11500000100000000
11600000000000000
11700000000000000
11800000000000000
11921240200000000
12000200100000000
12100000000000000
12200000000000000
12300010000000000
12410000000000000
12500000000000000
12600000000000000
12700000000000000
12800000010000000
12900000000000000
13000000000000000
13100000000000000
13200000000000000
13300000000000000
13400000000000000
13500000000000000
13600000000000000
13700100000000000
13801000000000000
13900000100000000
14000000000000000
14100000000000000
14200000000000000
14300000000000000
14400000000000000
14500000000001000
14600000000000000
14710000000000000
14800000000000000
14900000000000000
15000000000000000
15100000000000000
15201121000000000
15300000000000000
15400001000000000
15500000000000000
15600000000000000
15700000000000000
15800000000000000
15900000000000000
16000010000000000
16100000000000000
16200000000000000
16300000000000000
16400000000000000
16500000000000000
16600000000000000
16700000000000000
16801001100000000
16900000000000000
17000000100000000
17100010000000000
Table 3h

3h. Relative abundance of carbonate (CB) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in CB class as shown in Table 2 for each sample).

Relative abundance of CB particles (number%)
Sub
Supra
Sample No[87, 200)[200, 300)[300, 400)[400, 500)[500, 600)[600, 700)[700, 800)[800, 900)[900, 1000)[1000, 2000)[2000, 3000)[3000, 4000)[4000, 5000)>=5000
100001100031000
200000000000000
3000049003121000
400000100010000
500000000000000
600000000021000
700001000000000
834343200000000
900000000000000
1000000000000000
1110000000000000
1200000000000000
1300000000000000
1400030300160000
1500000000000000
1633003000130000
1700000000000000
1800000000000000
1900001000010000
2000005500191000
2100000000000000
2200000000000000
2300000000010000
2400440440142100
2500140300084100
26234784311105210
2700010100021000
2801112100031100
2922435331192100
3023347511182000
31244523102148320
3271071294402122100
3333544200031100
34610815128303143100
3510111100141000
366141189920164321
37149111111414204100
3833454110011000
3935479410285322
4011126200172000
4113003001153221
4202000000131000
4304000000021000
4400000000021000
4500060300021000
4600001100031000
4700555330031100
4800000100010000
49001100000132100
5000000000000000
5120004000031000
52001222001145100
5301021120021000
5401010000011000
5511110000010000
5610121110131000
5700000000000000
5811101000041000
5900000000011000
6001101000010000
6100011000010000
62381014116303112000
6300000000000000
6403101000022210
6500010100020000
6600000000000000
6700030001021100
6800000000000000
6900000000000000
7020000000042210
7100000000011000
7200000000010000
7300000000000000
7400000000000000
7500000000000000
7600000000000000
7700000000000000
7800001001010000
7900000000000000
8000000000000000
8100110000010000
8200000000000000
8300010000010000
8400000100011000
8500001100021000
8600001000010000
8700000100010000
8800101000010000
8911111100031000
9000111100010000
9100000000000000
9200000000000000
9300000000000000
9400000000000000
9500000000000000
9610000000011000
9700000000042000
9800000000000000
9901001000032000
10000000000000000
10100000000000000
10200000000000000
10300000000000000
10400000100000000
10500000000000000
10600000000011000
10700000110000000
10800000000000000
10900000000000000
11000000000011000
11100000000011000
11200000000011000
11302312240084100
11400011110011000
11500000000000000
11600000000000000
11720012120041000
11811234510192210
11900000100000000
12000000100000000
12100000000000000
12200000000000000
12301121110010000
12411111000010000
12510011000011000
12600000000000000
12700000000000000
12800000000000000
12901101010000000
13011000000000000
13100000000000000
13200000000000000
13300000000010000
13424331110010000
13500000000000000
13612011000131000
13700000000010000
13800123120176111
13900000000000000
14000000000011000
14100000000000000
14200000000000000
14300000000000000
14400000000000000
14500000000000000
14600000000000000
14700000000000000
14800000000000000
14900000000000000
15000000000000000
15100000000000000
15201000000000000
15300000000010000
15400001000031000
15500000000000000
15600010000000000
15751222110010000
15801110000010000
15952325310161100
16047812106202103100
16101000000000000
16200000000000000
16300000000000000
16457121112720160000
16500000000000000
16600000000000000
16711100000010000
16810000000000000
16900000000000000
17000000000000000
17100000000000000
Table 3i

Relative abundance of other (O) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in O class as shown in Table 2 for each sample).

Relative abundance of O particles (number%)
Sub
Supra
Sample No[87, 200)[200, 300)[300, 400)[400, 500)[500, 600)[600, 700)[700, 800)[800, 900)[900, 1000)[1000, 2000)[2000, 3000)[3000, 4000)[4000, 5000)>=5000
100100000000000
200000000000000
300000000000000
400000000000000
500000000000000
600000000000000
700000000000000
802101100000000
900000000000000
1000000000000000
1100000000000000
1200000000000000
1300000000000000
1400000000000000
1500000000000000
1600000000000000
1700000000000000
1800000000000000
1900000000000000
2000000000000000
2100000000000000
2200000000000000
2300000000000000
2400000000000000
2500030000000000
2600001000000000
2700000000000000
2800000000000000
2900000011000000
3000001000000000
3100110100001100
3202224111002100
3300000000000000
3400321100000000
3500000000000000
3600020010000000
3700000000001000
3800000001000000
3900000000000000
4000000000000000
4100000000000000
4200000000000000
4300000000000000
4400000000000000
4500000000000000
4600000000000000
4700000000000000
4800000000000000
4900000000000000
5000000000000000
5100000000000000
5200000000000000
5300000000000000
5400100000000000
5501100000000000
5600000000000000
5700000000000000
5800000000000000
5900000000000000
6000000000000000
6100000000000000
6201121110016200
6300000000000000
6400000000001000
6500000000000000
6600000000000000
6700000000000000
6800000000000000
6900000000000000
7000000000000100
7100000000000000
7200000000000000
7300000000000000
7400000000000000
7500000000000000
7600000000000000
7700000000000000
7800000000001000
7900000000000000
8000000000000000
8101000000000000
8200000000000000
8300000000000000
8400000000000000
8500000000000000
8600000000000000
8700000000000000
8800000000000000
8900000010001000
9000000000000000
9100000000000000
9200000000000000
9300000000000000
9400000000000000
9500000000000000
9600000000000000
9700000000000000
9800000000000000
9900000000000000
10000000000000000
10100000000000000
10200000000000000
10300110000000000
10400000000000000
10500000000000000
10600000000000000
10700000000000000
10800000000000000
10900000000000000
11000000000000000
11100000000000000
11200000000000000
11300000000000000
11400000000000000
11500100000000000
11600000000000000
11700000000000000
11800000010000000
11900010000001000
12000000000000000
12100000000000000
12200000000000000
12300000000000000
12400001000000000
12500000000000000
12600000000000000
12700000000000000
12800000000000000
12900000000000000
13000000000000000
13100000000000000
13200000000000000
13300000000000000
13400101000000000
13500000000000000
136068988600211210
13700000000000000
13800000000000000
13900000000000000
14000000010000000
14100000000000000
14200000000000000
14300000000000000
14400000000000000
14500000000000000
14600000000000000
14700000000000000
14800000000000000
14900000000000000
15000000000000000
15100000000000000
15200000000000000
15300000000000000
15400000000000000
15500000000000000
15600000000000000
15700000000000000
15800000000000000
15900000000000000
16000101000000000
16100000000000000
16200000000000000
16300000000000000
16400122231001000
16500000000000000
16600000000000000
16700000000000000
16800000000000000
16900000000000000
17000000000000000
17100000000000000
Summary of sub- and supramicron SEM-EDX analysis data per sample. Shown for each sample are the mine region (i.e., B=mid-central Appalachia, A=northern Appalachia, C=south-central Appalachia, D=western, and E=mid-western), mine number (i.e., 1–25), and sampling location (i.e., I=intake, R=return, P=production, B=bolter, F=feeder). Assessment of DPM presence is also indicated (DPM = particles observed that are consistent with DPM morphology and chemistry, no DPM = no such particles observed, maybe = particles observed that might be DPM). Relative abundance of sub- and supramicron particles in each mineralogy class per sample. (Values sum to 100% for each sample). Relative abundance of carbonaceous (C) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in C class as shown in Table 2 for each sample). Relative abundance of mixed-carbonaceous (MC) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in C class as shown in Table 2 for each sample). Relative abundance of kaolinite-like aluminosilicates (ASK) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in ASK class as shown in Table 2 for each sample). Relative abundance of other aluminosilicates (ASO) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in ASO class as shown in Table 2 for each sample). Relative abundance of other silicate (SLO) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in SLO class as shown in Table 2 for each sample). Relative abundance of silica (S) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in S class as shown in Table 2 for each sample). In addition to the SEM-EDX analysis, a sample from each set (except for those collected in Mines 9 and 25) was used for sequential digestions in simulated lung fluid and strong acid, and the digestates were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy to estimate potentially bioaccessible and total acid-soluble concentrations of metals and trace elements. Table 4a and b present estimated mass concentrations (µg/g) for potentially bioaccessible and total acid-soluble elements for samples from Mines 10–24. (Data for Mines 1–8 were presented in the original article [1]). Elements included in this analysis were Mg, Al, Si, K, V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Ag, Cd, Sn, Ba, Pb, and U.
Table 4a

Mass concentrations of potentially bioaccessible (SLF) and total acid-soluble (total) Mg, Al, Si, K, V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni estimated for samples collected in Mines 10–24. (Sample numbers here are the same as the paired samples used for SEM-EDX analysis, and thus can be cross-referenced with the sample numbers shown in Tables Table 1, Table 2, Table 3a.) Elemental concentrations are reported on dry mass basis (i.e., µg per g of respirable dust). Sample mass values indicate dust mass recovered from the sample filter. Mass concentrations below the method reporting level (MRL) are shown in red.

Mass concentration (µg/g)
Mg
Al
Si
K
V
Cr
Fe
Mn
Co
Ni
Sample NoMass (µg)SLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotal
9116324188576148951,395013,436016,332472941288211331,18925652931284205
9239550765483891820,5049225711124046412112303018,66624,12752354110118080
9320240255056617827,93905818126479750327017911,65525,4275158396121529
9469960960019,902029910299703980126023,549545416212261
9567317412516646622,13201320824517205855960017,28321,6013163366995105
9624822512251622214,2100437425622060902477916912,7582952957986135
972818318310,42210,64300000349152152199519,92419319300232232
9810213712369687623,3770095449041416201016172031,9471482494832335
992821412141511329,5430398607909375150219026,36600917109645
10037267026701800523805380033102670005607747400123123
10139039665181720414,11418991899788354004306717,39724,9645235988102071
1023169686968012,5480002167008262047,19614790363154
10385122238254243959,1420166870217,86007916105444433,864185645212032
10424927019329117673,7870364142224,73401123594636265462,581311114026823037
10550095460768811,64332,764759278441657882402902738,16950,230885107713171833
1062722,24722,24708421049,8200006910161028,01700008787
1078874457445295120,421015,147453678241200553561124,90534241251945603
10825639634237949118,1985360646923944758039075834412,238131146681342
1094572860287411,05418,55578619176177836920433762378937,10538,67251651612128484
1101714008424023,60500012,7746825801594060,686334431313258830
11118413603054300964,837842842174114,8920150892953620435,6221803324131328
11236560545309793035,1520990903920760017,400634151579754
113416784678405893038,511173527621323461312192016,34016,34030030033285285
11413815641564496614,21422735468155537041584514922664715120120681010
11541316621662663418,6165925648111503526025123410,67014,95622922910112936
11646416982449832925,184667086861406515104336511,34417,44924528911131833
1178221587344015,19104708071014102944723,663432761545286
118749810133805403073201228011032033678316062013
1192791178117810914779002296260492693421,43530,5799921129793041
1206870670607788000000014504943521217102727
1213510701070010,971010,2860001273001364149064010108900
1222820972097013,801000000003217554176176444545
123801886118618036007033101195067410343349541110145241230
1241932335326331538156709174072036409200691560111,9572453306103997
12540744992032800003844016057524033,6036333826115335
126297710701309664510,966740740090301902910,33412,497951034506
12717513471347129839,0730021081500300000501564643800
128106311784851617639800038780475094556024,510603950718517
12987630453992674119,388292729271759572708838646612,45617,7531101249113041
13016426002600356512,394000672018637373030303053531255
13151525474522273234,11718481848190511,6420163014353520,106254829027
1326940364036331251306570000276630680525148,478151193043333
13311820062006350311,2200420201067022805326574873575746104104
13415795639563420914,7970410312153026022306034768662917220351922218
13513342200518594442,2570050113,5290420078925,1621475051700
13611,87363,29572,3313137605997097001133040710,93512,7022512794501
1378616,04917,42042445300021530138015213017,12373138012676
1387680,17680,176397279380054385438037704570019591959071313
13963333733895166812,28000033040493445344532,84337,1694534728116464
14027610,14510,145199852560001600140039233923727224243243
1416434043404507329,6570883602690011108630288499992700
1425324989846577615,7510006604060463504435,1041406617600200
14343241264871516582700041830270625170034,935117397140107
14416181817181713,40320,04113,47913,47924653569060015,60816,3662762769900
1458911161116527732,75029429402240076018031,691707026219219
14620818201820725844,5106502650212966906049038900717,659210210484444
1474310621062177014,75607319029590131800194424,78233,7554214213192424
1485821432281585621212,37125,05201685000303512424,9641582282548141
149130522654269406933,57860276027287513,45402422622613,89630,7605548234800
150189320333747574737,76152865286227212,714035202010,47020,4961912403700
1514166816104678048,545098970465047318528,33571434030355
15269446446147236,62706196010,666014901425147425330300
1535500178037,0140008639016403120104,462010818465
1541071152115237337,930014,86300030500007373004040
155405230734238955520,01434903790762457001301622,99827,9192462958903
1561454632662708154012080660019000470852140001313
15796992721,35502837080055450540373023,650125718009198
15820111,47419,8410196202222043500370217128717,8872506610032224
15996913,02018,96837224501052093700020187158253525520006
16015918,28928,1720506402972308422801712981351952224,985238910113649
1611053443912557714,0280011746791022049020,02424293220208
1621561117018633456658653075588173729710302635295805821166709
16379347515,1440488900165876140830151027,78718589001540
1645068715106350721250134048802011146024921411741101
16577393112,894252920318942599375161601720135731,72887599110558
1664111,66313,88908437003170317010823804127031,1470920000
Table 4b

Mass concentrations of potentially bioaccessible (SLF) and total acid-soluble (total) Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Ag, Cd, Sn, Ba, Pb, U estimated for samples collected in Mines 10–24. (Sample numbers here are the same as the paired samples used for SEM-EDX analysis, and thus can be cross-referenced with the sample numbers shown in Tables Table 1, Table 2, Table 3a.) Elemental concentrations are reported on dry mass basis (i.e., µg per g of respirable dust). Sample mass values indicate dust mass recovered from the sample filter. Mass concentrations below the method reporting level (MRL) are shown in red.

Mass concentration (µg/g)
Cu
Zn
As
Se
Sr
Ag
Cd
Sn
Ba
Pb
U
Sample NoMass (μg)SLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotalSLFtotal
91163019127284156720007617101001220615224612202.3
923950072642129008590000000621806101000.4
93202001235524000089970012724177796101101.3
946900101305143430083830211083107317880100.1
956730903836930050700100015612837141900.7
962482162162192198108006876000000604665212100.9
9728110146902902201114008080020006637363736393902.1
9810202997179717954008713002000012941592131301
992800017865210690360205090100050890601.6
1003708323616071313020939301226464323137548800
10139007243830388006810000003361368681200.4
102310013257487021200042123010010050017790000.6
1038510232193580175036114301000047186901201.9
104249010902321550063147020100508100701702
105500907073035006995010000569734111600.7
1062700007703830300180100024710001.6
1078800441625619301399122020000136519170000.6
1082560004390221007084000000543658101000.4
10945780800131027025359000000554617121200.2
11017023945945118939002184620599127147459449670003.3
11118400023166007411001014454077701301.7
1123604910,15610,459333037041542510301011549613360000.3
1134145645618255084840421641640400001133231204400
114138001630610143013105130020000112312222200
115413532070187273018413401000010141052112100.4
116464000132110174166010007884982101400.9
11782677827013229197201477334010100083103302
1187490001601450217022402000044547401000.4
119279131312861560055560100051569586688400.1
120680000000038380222353512257402500
121350090810,524000018018022101017174152993434310.9
122280004291396050014414402442828410241020000
123801090129078019810600000193293641500.5
124193003132005170517022800000133794934400.5
125400047197850126500142180898867229264270113131111.7
1262977001023260000848711006111341687722.3
1271750013511520000969602224671646510013.2
128106125414811250544701217001231912222151121421110354412.5
12987600110252011009411301341125138620241317.8
13016400228115600001431430011441685819959
131515000575000077113020300166446118212.7
132690025924000000280280223399253988222211.6
1331180015612230000123123002222202551121279.7
1341570074714000020120111223122425311010913
1351334000830000489401000213367902103.1
13611,8730025390000606811005539944581022
137860015224550420001451553424191923310292233.3
1387600129353200001951952222171772519496622.4
1396337171144373000088112021166143298202211.5
140276271166858100001141141111442764678811
141640018022840000116116112253635911930011.5
14253003954764015360016324744487673431366272712.2
1434300626492909150011915800443328215703311.6
144161800291570000106108111102273354171711.1
1458918031803880348700001001000011763199130762100.9
1462080047123800001061231211185649418249934.1
14743001454211000241101102255323225519030055.4
14858220826465634773000251011014422236426021897722.6
14913050051180000326200003191655102812.3
1501893000370000407600001920364651613.5
151410018411,668021520119831646622844123118283312.4
15269000319600017220112268016520001.6
153552262226206706000002311062201884021501.7
154107000089890071712200001351350000
1554052090023780021360000001602209900.6
15614503057014123231600113154000107412012009300.6
15796019420027230900391970001022000001.9
15820112962614051814171500661910101007979124201.1
1599690310118227200761063300212157571122.7
16015929304007121700381411101441051090012.7
16110501175005876001623350001003073070001.8
16215610490041400063850000001561630000.3
1637904590052731001693990011002212210002
164506806003540020043000000042540000.2
16577033000232140003265420011002372370001.6
166410673002463004185400002002252250001.2
3g. Relative abundance of other heavy mineral (M) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in M class as shown in Table 2 for each sample). 3h. Relative abundance of carbonate (CB) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in CB class as shown in Table 2 for each sample). Relative abundance of other (O) particles by size bin (nm) for each sample. (Values sum to total abundance in O class as shown in Table 2 for each sample). Mass concentrations of potentially bioaccessible (SLF) and total acid-soluble (total) Mg, Al, Si, K, V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni estimated for samples collected in Mines 10–24. (Sample numbers here are the same as the paired samples used for SEM-EDX analysis, and thus can be cross-referenced with the sample numbers shown in Tables Table 1, Table 2, Table 3a.) Elemental concentrations are reported on dry mass basis (i.e., µg per g of respirable dust). Sample mass values indicate dust mass recovered from the sample filter. Mass concentrations below the method reporting level (MRL) are shown in red. Mass concentrations of potentially bioaccessible (SLF) and total acid-soluble (total) Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Ag, Cd, Sn, Ba, Pb, U estimated for samples collected in Mines 10–24. (Sample numbers here are the same as the paired samples used for SEM-EDX analysis, and thus can be cross-referenced with the sample numbers shown in Tables Table 1, Table 2, Table 3a.) Elemental concentrations are reported on dry mass basis (i.e., µg per g of respirable dust). Sample mass values indicate dust mass recovered from the sample filter. Mass concentrations below the method reporting level (MRL) are shown in red.

Experimental Design, Materials, and Methods

Sample collection and preparation

A total of 171 sets of respirable dust samples were collected in 25 underground coal mines across five distinct regions of the United States: northern Appalachia (region “A”, which includes US Mine Safety and Health Administration [MSHA] districts 2 and 3; mines 5, 6, 16–18), mid-central Appalachia (B, MSHA district 4; mines 1–4, 15), south-central Appalachia (C, MSHA districts 5, 7 and 12; mines 7–14, 21, 22, 25), mid-western basin (D, MSHA district 8; mines 19 and 20), and western basin (E, MSHA district 9; mines 23 and 24). Each set represents a unique sampling event (i.e., specific sampling location in a specific mine). Sample collection was targeted in five standard locations per mine: intake airway (I), just outby of the primary production area (including the headgate of a longwall section) or along the mantrip track; feeder (F), near the feeder breaker or along the main conveyor belt; production (P), just downwind of an active continuous miner or near the midface of a longwall section; roof bolter (B), just downwind of an active bolter; and return airway (R), just outby of the primary production area (including the tailgate of a longwall section). In some mines, one or more of the targeted locations could not be sampled; in some cases, multiple sampling events were conducted in given location (e.g., on two separate shifts). A detailed description of the mines and sampling protocol was previously reported [2]. Briefly, each sample set consists of multiple samples collected simultaneously in the same location. Each sample was collected using a personal air pump (Escort ELF model; Zefon International, Ocala, FL) with a 10-mm nylon Dorr-Oliver cyclone (Zefon International, Ocala, FL), which produces a d50 cut size of about 3.5 µm at the sampling flow rate of 2 L/min. A rigid frame was used to mount all samplers used to collect a given set, such that the inlet of all cyclones was positioned within about 15 cm of each other and oriented in the same direction. The samples analyzed for this report were collected directly onto 37 mm polycarbonate filters (PC, track-etched with nominal 0.4 µm pore size) over a continuous 2–4 h period. For analysis of particle size and mineralogy, a circular subsection (8–9 mm diameter) was cut from one PC filter sample from each set, mounted on an aluminum stub, and sputter-coated with Au/Pd. Another PC filter from each set was used for the metals and trace elements analysis.

SEM-EDX analysis to determine particle size and mineralogy distributions

The SEM-EDX analysis was conducted in two phases, submicron and supramicron, each having a dedicated computer-controlled routine. Both routines used the same instrumentation and software, a FEI Quanta 600 FEG environmental SEM (FEI, Hillsboro, OR) equipped with a Bruker Quantax 400 EDX spectroscope (operated in backscatter mode) and Esprit software (Version 1.9; Bruker, Ewing, NJ). The analysis on each sample (i.e., the filter subsection mentioned above) proceeded as follows: Initially, the SEM stage was moved to the center of the sample stub, which was designated as “Frame 0” (Fig. 1). Analysis began at Frame 0 and then proceeded through subsequent frames (i.e., up to Frame 79 for submicron analysis and up to Frame 39 for supramicron analysis). The frame positioning was pre-set to avoid user bias and ensure that data was collected across multiple areas of the sample; all frames were positioned within a 7 mm diameter circle allow tolerance in the case that the sample was not perfectly mounted in the center of the stub. For submicron analysis, interior frames were spaced about 0.5 mm apart and the spacing was increased moving toward the sample edge. The magnification was set to 10,000× such that each frame was approximately 140.25 μm2. For supramicron analysis, frames were spaced about 1 mm apart and magnification was set to 1000× such that each frame was approximately 14,025 µm2. Table 5 summarizes the other key parameters for each routine.
Fig. 1

Frame positions for computer-controlled SEM (a) submicron and (b) supramicron particle analysis routines. Outer circles have a 7 mm diameter. The span between adjacent frames is generally 0.5 mm for submicron and 1.0 mm for supramicron particle analysis routines (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.).

Table 5

Description of sub- and supramicron particle analysis routines using SEM-EDX analysis routines (reproduced from Sarvar et al. [2]).

ParametersSubmicronSupramicron
Magnification10,000×1000×
Voltage (kV)1015
Spot size5.5
Working distance (mm)12.5
Brightness92.5%
Contrast60–70%
Recorded elements for normalized atomic% valueC, O, Al, Si, Mg, Ca, Ti, Fe
Particle size based on longest dimension (nm)100–10001000–10,000
Frame area (μm2)140.2514,025
Minimum number of frames10
Maximum number of frames8040
Maximum number of particles per frame3050
Total number of particles aimed300500
In each frame, 30 or 50 particles were analyzed for submicron and supramicron routines, respectively. The aim was to analyze approximately 300 submicron particles and approximately 500 supramicron particles per sample; therefore, at least 10 frames were analyzed in both routines. For each particle, its length, width, projected area, particle location, and the elemental spectra were recorded. The dimensions were used to determine projected area diameter. Normalized atomic percentages of eight elements (per [4]) (i.e., C, O, Al, Si, Mg, Ca, Ti, Fe) were used to classify particles into in nine pre-defined classes (per [2]): carbonaceous (C); mixed carbonaceous (MC); aluminosilicates, kaolinite-like (ASK) or other (ASO); other silicates (SLO); silica (S); heavy minerals (M), which mostly included metal sulfides or oxides; carbonates (CB), or other (O). These are referred to as “mineralogy” classes herein, though it is acknowledged mineralogy is inferred from the elemental spectra. The classification criteria are listed in Table 6 and verified with high-purity reference materials (Table 7) for both submicron and supramicron particles [2]. It should be noted that submicron particles in the C class may include both carbonaceous dust (i.e., coal and organic matter) and diesel particulates, which can sometimes be identified based on their characteristic morphology [1], [2], [3].
Table 6

Mineralogy classification criteria (reproduced from Sarvar et al. [2]).

Normalized Atomic%
ClassRoutineCOAlSiCaMgTiFe
CSub≥75<29≤0.30≤0.30≤0.41≤0.50≤0.50≤0.50
Supra≤0.06≤0.15
MCSub<0.44<0.44≤1.00≤0.50≤1.00≤1.00
Supra<0.35<0.35≤0.50≤0.50≤0.60≤0.60
ASK1Sub≥0.44, (≥37)≥0.44, (≥42)(<16)(<4)(<8)(<10)
Supra≥0.35, (≥39)≥0.35, (≥32)(<8)(<15)(<13)(<13)
ASO1Sub≥0.44, (<37)≥0.44, (<42)(≥16)(≥4)(≥8)(≥10)
Supra≥0.35, (<39)≥0.35, (<32)(≥8)(≥15)(≥13)(≥13)
SLO2Sub≥0.50
Supra≥0.33
S3Sub≥0.50
Supra≥0.33
MSub>1.00>1.00>1.00
Supra
CBSub<88>9>1.00>0.50
Supra>0.50

To differentiate ASK from ASO, additional limits for Al, Si, Mg, Ca, Ti and Fe are shown in parenthesis (normalized to exclude C and O).

Additional limits for SLO: Si/(Al+Si+Mg+Ca+Ti+Fe) < 0.5.

Additional limits for S: Al/Si < 1/3 and Si/(Al+Si+Mg+Ca+Ti+Fe) ≥ 0.5.

Table 7

Classification results on submicron and supramicron particles in respirable dust samples generated in the laboratory using high-purity reference materials (reproduced from Sarvar et al. [2]). Results are shown for both submicron and supramicron SEM analysis routines. Dominant mineralogy class is shaded gray.

Mineralogy Distribution (%)
Reference MaterialSEM RoutineCMCASKASOSLOSMCBO
CoalSub9163000000
Supra9910000000
KaoliniteSub9385300000
Supra0098200000
QuartzSub1133291000
Supra1111094000
CalciteSub1100010970
Supra1000000990
Rock DustSub11017000783
Supra6301000881
Mineralogy classification criteria (reproduced from Sarvar et al. [2]). To differentiate ASK from ASO, additional limits for Al, Si, Mg, Ca, Ti and Fe are shown in parenthesis (normalized to exclude C and O). Additional limits for SLO: Si/(Al+Si+Mg+Ca+Ti+Fe) < 0.5. Additional limits for S: Al/Si < 1/3 and Si/(Al+Si+Mg+Ca+Ti+Fe) ≥ 0.5. Classification results on submicron and supramicron particles in respirable dust samples generated in the laboratory using high-purity reference materials (reproduced from Sarvar et al. [2]). Results are shown for both submicron and supramicron SEM analysis routines. Dominant mineralogy class is shaded gray. Following completion of the sub- and supramicron particle analysis, the resulting datasets were merged to allow description of particle size and mineralogy distributions across the entire analyzed range. This was done by normalizing both datasets on the basis of number of particles per analyzed filter area. Finally, the data were split into the size bins included in Table 3a–i. Frame positions for computer-controlled SEM (a) submicron and (b) supramicron particle analysis routines. Outer circles have a 7 mm diameter. The span between adjacent frames is generally 0.5 mm for submicron and 1.0 mm for supramicron particle analysis routines (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.). Description of sub- and supramicron particle analysis routines using SEM-EDX analysis routines (reproduced from Sarvar et al. [2]).

Metals and trace elements analysis

Analysis of potentially bioaccessible and total acid-soluble metals and trace elements in the respirable dust samples was conducted using two sequential digestions followed by inductively-coupled mass spectroscopy on the digestates. The first digestion was in a simulated lung fluid (SLF) and the second was in a 4-acid solution. Following is a detailed description of the entire method used to prepare and analyze the samples. For dust recovery and the digestion in SLF, the procedure described in Sarver et al. [1] was followed. Briefly: One PC filter from each sample set was weighed to establish a pre-weight prior to dust recovery. Each filter was placed into a glass digestion tube and rinsed with 18 MΩ water. Enough water was added to fully submerse the filter (about 5 mL). The tubes were capped and placed in an ultrasonic bath for 1 h (@ constant 37 °C), then centrifuged for 10 min (@ 3000 rpm) to settle the liberated dust. Tubes were uncapped and water was evaporated in a clean oven (@ 120 °C). Dry filters were carefully removed and re-weighed to determine recovered dust mass by difference with the pre-weight. SLF solution was prepared per [5] using the reagents shown in Table 8. SLF was prepared using 18 MΩ water as the base. It was stored at 3 °C and used within 1 week of preparation.
Table 8

Simulated lung fluid (SLF) recipe and order of chemical addition (reproduced from Sarvar et al. [1]).

AdditionChemicalFormulaConcentration/L
1Ammonium chlorideNH4Cl535 mg
2Sodium chlorideNaCl6780 mg
3Sodium bicarbonateNaHCO31770 mg
4Sodium carbonateNa2CO3630 mg
5Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrateNaH2PO4•H2O166 mg
6Sodium citrate dihydrateNa3-citrate•2H2O59 mg
7GlycineC2H5NO2450 mg
8Sulfuric acidH2SO451 mg (27.7 μL)
9Calcium chloride dihydrateCaCl2•2H2O29 mg
Simulated lung fluid (SLF) recipe and order of chemical addition (reproduced from Sarvar et al. [1]). The SLF solution was added to each digestion tube containing only the recovered dry dust, as well as tubes prepared as blank (clean PC filter) and matrix (SLF only) samples. The SLF solution volume was determined using a 1/10,000 ratio between the dust mass (g) and SLF volume (mL) ratio. This solid/liquid ratio was chosen per [6]. For samples with recovered dust weight below 200 µg, a standard SLF volume of 2 mL was used. The tubes were capped and placed in the ultrasonic bath for 24 h (@ constant 37 °C), and then centrifuged for 10 min (@ 3000 rpm). A 5 mL aliquot of the SLF digestate in each tube was taken by syringe using a PTFE filter (0.1 µm pore size) to trap any suspended dust particles. The filtered digestate was then added to new ICP tube and diluted with 18 MΩ water to a volume of 9.8 mL. Finally, 0.2 mL HNO3 (trace metal grade) was added to each ICP sample to achieve 2% acid by volume (and a total sample volume of 10 mL). The second digestion followed a procedure modified from Briggs [7] to digest the remaining dust from each sample (i.e., that not digested by the SLF) using four concentrated acids (i.e., HNO3, HClO4, HF and HCl): The 4-acid digestion procedure began with pre-digestion step. The PTFE filter used to trap dust from each SLF sample was placed into a 50-mL Teflon vessel. The filter and vessel walls were then rinsed by pipetting a minimal volume of 18 MΩ water (i.e., 1–2 mL). Then, 750 μL of concentrated HCl (trace metal grade) was added to each vessel. The vessels were capped and placed into a hot block with individual wells, and left under a fume hood overnight at 60 °C. Vessels were allowed to cool to room temperature and then transferred to an HClO4-rated fume hood for the rest of acid digestion procedure. The next three acids (all trace metal grade) were added to each vessel in this order: 500 μL of HNO3, 250 μL of HClO4, and 500 μL of HF. Contents were swirled gently and then the vessels were placed into the hot block at room temperature. They were heated (uncapped) to 110 °C and left at temperature until incipient dryness. After the vessels cooled, another 250 μL of the HClO4 was added to each. The vessel walls were then rinsed by pipetting a minimal volume of 18 MΩ water (i.e., 1–2 mL and gently swirled before being placed back into the hot block. The vessels were then heated (uncapped) to 150 °C and left at temperature until incipient dryness. After the vessels cooled, another 250 μL of the HNO3 was added to each. They were left uncapped for 5 min, and then swirled to mix. Then 6 mL of 18 MΩ water was added to each vessel, and it was swirled again. Next, 25 μL of H2O2 (30%) was added and the reaction was allowed to subside before the vessels were capped tightly and shaken. They were placed in an oven for 1 h (@ 100 °C). Finally, the total volume of digestate in each vessel was transferred to a new ICP tube and acidified to 2% HNO3 (by volume). To analyze the SLF and 4-acid digestates, a Thermo Electron iCAP-RQ ICP-MS instrument was used (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA): For each batch of ICP samples, three blank PC filters and blank solutions were also prepared using the SLF and 4-acid digestion procedures described above. Their results were used for blank and matrix corrections, respectively. The ICP results (µg/L in the digestate solutions) were corrected and then transformed into dry dust concentrations (µg/g) using the dust mass recovered from each filter sample. The concentration determined from the SLF digestate is regarded as potentially bioaccessible; and the sum of the concentration from the SLF and 4-acid digestates is regarded as total acid-soluble concentration. It is noted that, due to relatively low sample masses for the current dataset, results in Table 4a and b should be regarded as estimated concentrations. Based on data from researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the 4-acid digestion procedure followed here (i.e., with open vessel during HF digestion) is predicted to result in Si loss of about 90% (H. Lowers and Z. Arslan, personal communication, September 16, 2021). To enable general comparisons between Si and other elements (i.e., in Table 4a and b), this factor was used to further correct the Si data herein. However, the reported Si concentrations should accordingly be viewed with some caution. The elements that were measured by ICP-MS and reported here are listed in Table 9 with their respective method reporting level (MRL). MRLs are based on the calibration curve for each element, which is generated using a series of standard solutions; the limits of detection are generally about one order of magnitude lower. (Note that other elements, including Ca, Na, P, Ti, S and Cl, can be measured by ICP-MS, but were not included in the analysis presented here due to significant interferences from the digestion solutions.) In addition to ICP-MS calibration prior to sample analysis, check standards and blank samples were run between every set of 10 samples analyzed to ensure that there was no significant instrument drift or carryover contamination between samples.
Table 9

MRLs for elements included in ICP-MS analysis.

MRL (µg/L)ElementMRL (µg/L)Element
0.1V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, As, Ag, Cd, Sn, Ba, Pb, U5Mg, Fe
0.5Sr10Al, K
1Cu, Zn, Se500Si
MRLs for elements included in ICP-MS analysis.

Data Availability

SEM-EDX data on respirable dust from 25 US coal mines (Original data) (Mendeley Data).

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Cigdem Keles: Methodology, Data curation, Writing – original draft. Maria Jaramillo Taborda: Data curation. Emily Sarver: Conceptualization, Methodology, Funding acquisition, Writing – review & editing.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
SubjectEngineering, Environmental Science, Health and Medical Sciences
Specific subject areaEnvironmental monitoring for occupational health, mining engineering
Type of dataTables
How the data was acquiredParticle size and relative elemental ratios were determined by SEM-EDX using an FEI Quanta 600 FEG environmental SEM (FEI, Hillsboro, OR) equipped with a Bruker Quantax 400 EDX spectroscope (Bruker, Ewing, NJ). The SEM-EDX work was performed using two computer-controlled routines, updated from Sarver et al. [1]. The elemental data were used to infer particle mineralogy following published criteria [2], also updated from Sarver et al. [1].Potentially bioaccessible and total acid-soluble metal and trace element concentrations were estimated by performing sequential digestions (first in simulated lung fluid, then in strong acid) and analyzing the digestate solutions by ICP-MS using a Thermo Electron iCAP-RQ ICP-MS (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA).
Data formatRaw and analyzed
Description of data collectionRespirable coal mine dust samples were collected onto polycarbonate (PC) filters as described in Sarver et al. [2]. SEM-EDX work was performed directly on the filters (after sputter-coating with Au/Pd) using two computer-controlled routines, updated from Sarver et al. [1].For the metals and trace elements analysis, dust was removed from the filters by sonication in the simulated lung fluid (SLF), same as for data presented in Sarver et al. [1]; then the SLF digestate was filtered and the residual particles were subjected to a 4-acid digestion, which is modified from Sarver et al. [1].
Data source locationThe respirable dust samples were collected in 25 underground coal mines located in different regions of the United States. A description of the mines is included in Sarver et al. [2]. Exact locations/mine identities are not disclosed, however the relevant characteristics were published (e.g., geographic region, coal seam thickness and total mining height, description of any rock strata being mined along with the coal).
Data accessibilityThe tables presented herein summarize the SEM-EDX data on a per-sample basis (i.e., particle size and mineralogy distributions.) The metals and trace elements concentration data were collected on a per sample basis.The raw SEM-EDX data (on a per particle basis) is available in the following repository: Repository name: Mendeley Data Data identification number: http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/zhvszymk7t.1Direct URL to data: https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/zhvszymk7t/1
Related data articleE. Sarver, C. Keles, M. Rezaee, Characteristics of respirable dust in eight Appalachian coal mines: A dataset including particle size and mineralogy distributions, and metal and trace element mass concentrations, Data in Brief 25 (2019) 104,032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2019.104032
Related research articleE. Sarver, C. Keles, S. Ghaychi Afrouz, Particle size and mineralogy distributions in respirable dust samples from 25 US underground coal mines, Int. J. Coal Geol. 247 (2021) 103,851.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2021.103851
  2 in total

1.  Development of an in vitro method to estimate lung bioaccessibility of metals from atmospheric particles.

Authors:  Caboche Julien; Perdrix Esperanza; Malet Bruno; Laurent Y Alleman
Journal:  J Environ Monit       Date:  2011-01-20

2.  Characteristics of respirable dust in eight appalachian coal mines: A dataset including particle size and mineralogy distributions, and metal and trace element mass concentrations.

Authors:  Emily Sarver; Cigdem Keles; Mohammad Rezaee
Journal:  Data Brief       Date:  2019-05-22
  2 in total
  1 in total

1.  Differences in the characteristics and pulmonary toxicity of nano- and micron-sized respirable coal dust.

Authors:  Yinci Zhang; Amin Li; Jiafeng Gao; Jiaojiao Liang; Niandie Cao; Shuping Zhou; Xiaolong Tang
Journal:  Respir Res       Date:  2022-07-30
  1 in total

北京卡尤迪生物科技股份有限公司 © 2022-2023.