# Air Quality Predictions through Mathematical Modeling for Iron Ore Mine Project
## 4 Modeling, Analysis, and Results
### Exploratory Data Analysis  
The exploratory data analysis was performed by grouping the data into three classes: pre-mining data, data from the different places in the Core Zone with higher concentrations of the SPM (acting as a source during particulate matter dispersion), and post-mining initiation data. The data variability for the three classes is presented in Figure 8 (where PreMin, OOPM, and PostMin represent the above three categories of data, respectively. (The SPM is in \(\mathrm{\SIUnitSymbolMicro g}\)/\(\mathrm{m}^{3}\), designated as mcg in the figures). Figure 8 shows higher variability in pre-mining data compared to post-mining, with significant variation observed in areas of mining activity. The concentration of SPM at various sites in the mines and surrounding villages shows a notable contrast in values. Tiroda Village (TiV) exhibited the highest variability, followed by Shiroda Village (SiV) and Redi Village (ReV). Although Nanos Village (NaV) had higher concentrations, it showed less variability during the monitoring period (Figure 9a). Figure 9b illustrates a significant drop in SPM levels beyond 630 m from the source. The summarized data on air quality, along with the locations and other derived factors, are provided in Table 7. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Mining Phase**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Location**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Distance**} & **SPM to (SPM** & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**PM\({}_{\text{10}}\) to**} & **Change in** \\  & & **(m)** & **Core Zone** & **(PM\({}_{\text{10}}\) Core** & **SPM Mining** \\  & & & **Ratio** & **Zone) Ratio** & **Phase (\%)** \\ \hline Construction & Core Zone & \(\sim\)60 & 1 & 1 & \\ Construction & Tiroda Village & 440 & 1.3 & 1.15 & \\ Construction & Nanos Village & 630 & 0.86 & 0.79 & \\ Construction & Redi Village & 3170 & 0.67 & 0.67 & \\ Construction & Shiroda Village & 1520 & 0.67 & 0.81 & \\ Operation & Core Zone & 41 & 1 & 1 & 212.82 & \\ Operation & Tiroda Village & 440 & 0.23 & 0.2 & \(-\)43.42 & Mitigation measure used \\ Operation & Nanos Village & 630 & 0.24 & 0.24 & \(-\)11.88 & Mitigation measure used \\ Operation & Redi Village & 3170 & 0.22 & 0.21 & 5.13 & Increase 4 \(\mathrm{\SIUnitSymbolMicro g}\)/\(\mathrm{m}^{3}\) \\ Operation & Shiroda Village & 1520 & 0.23 & 0.18 & 10.26 & Increase by 8 \(\mathrm{\SIUnitSymbolMicro g}\)/\(\mathrm{m}^{3}\) \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 7: Air quality along with the locations and other derived factors. Figure 8: Variation in data at pre-mining (Pre-Min), during mining (PostMin) and the operations zone representing the origin of particulate matter (OOPM). The concentrations of SPM and PM\({}_{10}\) along with their variation in the pre-mining phase and mining phase at different locations are given in Figure 10.  
Figures 9 and 10 indicate that while SPM and PM10 concentrations increased in the Core Zone during the mining phase, they showed a reduction or only minor increases in surrounding villages. It is important to note that other mines in the vicinity contributed to higher pre-mining-phase pollutant concentrations, particularly in Tiroda Village. However, the implementation of mitigation measures, such as green belt barriers, water sprinklers on haul roads, wet loading of ore and overburden, and geotextile application on stabilized dumps, resulted in decreased concentrations during the mining phase and only minor increases in Redi and Shiroda Villages. Figure 10: Concentrations of SPM and PM\({}_{10}\), along with their variation in the pre-mining and mining phase at different locations. Figure 9: (**a**) Variation in SPM concentration at various study locations. (**b**) Variation in SPM concentration with distance. The relationship of SPM and PM\({}_{10}\) monitored in the two phases shows a significant decrease in these pollutants with distance (Figure 11a,b) and assumes a power function.