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Advancing Sustainability in Surface Coal Mines Through Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring: Low-Cost IoT Solutions and the Role of Meteorological Factors in PM and GHG Emissions

Author

Listed:
  • Vislavath Suresh

    (Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad 826004, India)

  • Siddhartha Agarwal

    (Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad 826004, India)

  • Yoginder P. Chugh

    (College of Engineering, Computing, Technology and Mathematics, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA)

  • Priyanshu Jha

    (Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad 826004, India)

  • Renzhong Wang

    (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA 98052, USA)

Abstract

This paper presents a development of a “smart center” for studying particulate matter (PM) and other gaseous emissions pollution in a surface coal mine located in the Jharia coalfield of Jharkhand, India, utilizing internet of things (IOT)-based capabilities and low-cost sensors data. These pollutants in the air in and around surface mines present significant environmental challenges that require comprehensive assessment and management. This study undertook four winter months from January to April 2023 of real-time, low-cost IoT-based monitoring of PM 1 , PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , NO 2 , O 3 , CO, CO 2 , TVOC, and noise pollution, along with meteorological parameters, such as humidity, rainfall, and temperature. Data were collected at three locations: within a mine site area, in a buffer zone located 1.5 km from the mine, and at a non-impacted residential area within the university campus. Mining operations and active mine fires are primary contributors to pollution. Peak PM concentrations around the mining site were observed during morning and evening hours (5–7 a.m. and 4–6 p.m.). This study further identified that air pollutant concentrations were positively correlated with humidity but negatively correlated with the atmospheric temperature at the mine site, but not at the university campus of the IIT–ISM.

Suggested Citation

  • Vislavath Suresh & Siddhartha Agarwal & Yoginder P. Chugh & Priyanshu Jha & Renzhong Wang, 2025. "Advancing Sustainability in Surface Coal Mines Through Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring: Low-Cost IoT Solutions and the Role of Meteorological Factors in PM and GHG Emissions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-35, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1301-:d:1584416
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Guang Li & Desmond Ato Koomson & Jingyu Huang & Ebenezer Impriam Amponsah & Williams Kweku Darkwah & Nicholas Miwornunyuie & Ke Li & Xiaohang Dong, 2021. "A review from environmental management to environmental governance: paradigm shift for sustainable mining practice in Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(7), pages 9710-9724, July.
    2. Shangli Zhou & Hengjing He & Leping Zhang & Wei Zhao & Fei Wang, 2023. "A Data-Driven Method to Monitor Carbon Dioxide Emissions of Coal-Fired Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-27, February.
    3. Michael Hendryx & Mohammad Saidul Islam & Guang-Hui Dong & Gunther Paul, 2020. "Air Pollution Emissions 2008–2018 from Australian Coal Mining: Implications for Public and Occupational Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-11, February.
    4. Li Guang & Desmond Ato Koomson & Huang Jingyu & Ebenezer Impriam Amponsah & Williams Kweku Darkwah & Nicholas Miwornunyuie & Li Ke & Dong Xiaohang, 2021. "Correction to: A review from environmental management to environmental governance: paradigm shift for sustainable mining practice in Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(7), pages 9725-9725, July.
    5. Animesh Mishra & Niladri Das & Prem Chhetri, 2023. "Sustainable Strategies for the Indian Coal Sector: An Econometric Analysis Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-21, July.
    6. Marcos L. S. Oliveira & Segun A. Akinyemi & Bemgba B. Nyakuma & Guilherme L. Dotto, 2022. "Environmental Impacts of Coal Nanoparticles from Rehabilitated Mine Areas in Colombia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-14, April.
    7. Srikanth, R & Bhatt, J R, 2023. "Why India needs Coal to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals," OSF Preprints f6dhe, Center for Open Science.
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