Development of a SEM-EDS-XRD Protocol for the Physicochemical and Automated Mineralogical Characterisation of Coal Dust Particles

Exposure to coal dust from mining-related activities has historically been linked several preventable but incurable respiratory diseases. Although the findings of numerous biological studies have determined that physicochemical and mineralogical aspects particles greatly influence both cytotoxic proinflammatory pathways, robust datasets which quantitatively define these characteristics remain limited. This study aims develop a characterisation routine applicable for real-world dust, using an auto-SEM-EDS system. In doing so, addresses validation particle scans quantification range relevant harm. The presented demonstrate application auto-SEM-EDS-XRD systems analyse report on thousands dust-sized particles. Furthermore, by mineralogically mapping particles, parameters such as liberation, mineral association elemental distribution can be computed understand relationships between elements minerals in yet quantified other studies.