Estimation of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM),Respirable Particulate Matter (RPM) and 232ThoriumConcentration Variations in Ambient Air due to BeachPlacer Mining in Manavalakurichi, South West Coast ofTamilnadu, India

Heavy mineral deposits of great commercial value along the coastal zones has created much interest in exploration and exploitation of this easily mineable wealth. Even though the mineral extraction brings huge benefits to the country, the deterioration of environment creates serious matter of concern. This study investigated the Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Respirable Particulate Matter (RPM), and 232Thorium concentrations in ambient air of ten locations around the mining and mineral separation activity in Manavalakurichi, southwest coast of Tamil Nadu, India, from January 2014 to June 2014. The results showed that SPM varied from 80.2 μg/m3 to 173.0 μg/m3 and RPM varied from 38.3μg/m3 to 65.12μg/m3, with maximum at IREL bus stop. Both SPM and RPM were within permissible limit of 200 μg/m3 and 100 μg/m3 respectively (National Ambient AIR Quality Standards 1994, 2009). 232Thorium ranged from 0.0003 Bq/m3 to 0.0007 Bq/m3, being far below Derived Air Concentration (DAC) Standard of 0.22 Bq/m3 as per ICRP (2000) guidelines.