Project 4: Soil Quality Monitoring and Beneficial Reuse of CSG Production Water

Project 7: Undertaking dissolution tests on a range of coal types with respect to Environmentally Hazardous Substance classification as per MARPOL Annex V

Project 8: Investigating the potential health implications of coal dust in rainwater

Honey bees: the new canaries for monitoring of mined-land rehabilitation
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Geomorphic design and modelling at catchment scale for best mine rehabilitation – The Drayton mine example (New South Wales, Australia)​

Investigating the potential health implications of coal dust in rainwater 
Research Partner: Xstrata Coal and Introspec Consulting

In residential areas with restricted mains water supply, the dominant source of water is roof-harvested rainfall from the rainwater tank, where it is often used for all indoor/outdoor demands. Airborne particulates are regularly deposited on rooftops in urban areas, including dust, leaves, paint flakes, roof material, etc. Birds, possums and other wildlife also deposit faecal matter onto rooftops. However, approximately 3.5 million people currently use harvested rainwater as their only water source and, historically, there have been no major health epidemics recorded as a result.

The aim of the study was to investigate and report on potential health risks as a result of major and moderate trace elements contained in coal dust deposited on rooftops entering rainwater tank systems used for potable supply. Leaching tests were undertaken on numerous coal types to reflect the potential for trace element release into rainwater in the tank. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC, 2004) provided the threshold levels considered safe for human consumption.

Rainwater samples were also collected from three homes within the dust deposition zone in the Dalrymple Bay area (Queensland, Australia) to determine a snapshot of current rainwater quality. However the processes, pathways and the likelihood of occurrence of “coal dust deposition on the roof” to “the impact on water quality in the rainwater tank and at the kitchen tap” will need to be understood before results can be appreciated.

Air Quality & Climate Change paper 2009 (Link to paper)

TFI Water Research poster (Link to poster)