Evaluation of Protein and Polysaccharide Biopolymers as Dust Suppressants on Mine Soils: Laboratory Experiments

Polysaccharide biopolymers have been shown to be alternatives established dust suppressants. This study investigates the potential of 14 polysaccharides and proteins from diverse botanical (corn, pea, wheat, cellulose, potato, fava bean) animal (pig, chicken, cow) sources as suppressants on two mine soils (medium-grained sand fine-grained silica sand). Results laboratory tests demonstrate that type biopolymer its concentration a significant effect penetration resistance, moisture retention, crust thickness. Depending type, concentration, soil retention range 1.0 19.5 wt% (control, Cmedium-gr. = 2.5 Cfine-gr. 6.9 wt%), resistance 1.7 37.9 N (Cmedium-gr. 1.5 N), thickness 0.3 18.1 mm 0 mm). Proteins form crusts with resistances similar but mainly require higher concentrations than polysaccharides. Based test results, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl corn starch, bean protein concentrate, plasma exhibit highest act research contributes evaluating environmentally friendly amendments may used control fugitive emissions large, barren surfaces.