THE DISPERSION OF MINING-INDUSTRIAL AMTOSPHERIC POLLUTANTS IN RIO CLARO COUNTY AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IN THE AIR QUALITY

• Grant number: 24/07639-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date until: December 01, 2024
• End date until: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Physical Geography
• Principal Investigator: Karime Pechutti Fante
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Vieira Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas (IGCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Particulate matter is present in the environment and can derive both from natural or anthropic sources. The activity and quantification from particulate matter, although, has been intensified by anthropogenic emissions causing many negative impacts not only in the air quality but also in the life quality and general population health especially through the urban environment. In Rio Claro's county this concern is closely tied with the mining and industrial activities, which represent some of the region's most profitable economic sectors that fundamentally has in the raw materials from soil sediments, silt and sand. Based on this discussion the present research aims to comprehend the degree of a correlation between the air pollution provenient from the regional ceramic cluster and this ties with the present air quality. With the development of this research is pretended to elucidate at which scale of pollution and level of exposure the population is getting contact in specific neighborhoods adjacent to areas heavily influenced by industries with high production demands, focused primarily on ceramic extraction. The process of quantifying pollutants will be conducted using low-cost instruments strategically positioned across neighborhoods near industrial sites. Sampling of particulate matter will occur during the Southern Hemisphere summer (february) of 2025 and also winter 2025 (august). Samples will undergo laboratory analysis and be evaluated temporally and spatially using statistical techniques, such as linear regression. Added with this procedure there will be an analysis based on the hourly data referred to pm10 and pm2,5 compiled by CETESB stations located through Rio Claro in the last 5 years, where they will be compared the atmospheric data looking forward to comprehend the seasonal role from the dynamic of the atmosphere, such as the participation of the mining and industrial corporations in the declining air quality in Rio Claro. It is expected that this research will advance the understanding of pollutant sources and atmospheric dynamics in Rio Claro's county, aiding in the elucidation of pollutant dispersion within urban areas. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the necessity of implementing strategic public policies to mitigate the vulnerability of individuals exposed to higher levels of pollution.