Atmosphere 2026, 17(5), 524; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17050524 (registering DOI) - 20 May 2026
Abstract
Due to their unique topography, deep open-pit coal mines are prone to temperature inversions, which, in turn, exacerbate dust pollution. To characterize this phenomenon, we combined field measurements with FLUENT-based numerical simulations to analyze how inversion layer properties and dust transport patterns respond
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Due to their unique topography, deep open-pit coal mines are prone to temperature inversions, which, in turn, exacerbate dust pollution. To characterize this phenomenon, we combined field measurements with FLUENT-based numerical simulations to analyze how inversion layer properties and dust transport patterns respond to varying conditions. The results show that the temperature contrast between the pit walls is positively correlated with the inversion layer’s temperature difference, thickness, and strength. In contrast, ambient wind speed is negatively correlated with the layer’s temperature difference and strength, yet positively correlated with its thickness. Surface temperature has no significant effect on the inversion layer’s temperature difference or thickness and exhibits only a weak correlation with its strength. Furthermore, higher wall temperature contrasts lead to increased dust concentration, whereas stronger winds promote dispersion and lower concentrations. These findings confirm that temperature inversion intensifies pollution, with stronger inversions causing more severe contamination. Therefore, mitigating the formation of inversion layers is crucial for effective dust control in deep pits. Unlike previous phenomenological observations, this study provides novel quantitative data on the thermal-aerodynamic coupling within deep open pits. Specifically, it establishes exact mathematical correlations between discrete rock wall temperature differentials and inversion layer thickness, providing critical thresholds for predicting severe dust retention.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Measurement of Exposure to Air Pollution)
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