Modeling Aerosol Transport During High Particulate Matter Episodes In El Paso-Juarez Region And Mitigating Mining-Related Emissions Of Rare Earth Elements (REES) To The Air

This dissertation examines the use of the HYSPLIT model to develop a methodology for the transport and dispersion of air masses affecting particulate matter (PM) concentrations in the El Paso Region, and bioleaching experiments as an alternative to mitigating rare-earth concentrations in the air. Chapter 2 describes the study methodology, 3 and 4 cover the modeling methodology using two-representative high PM2.5 episodes, occurring on February 28, 2024, and June 19, 2024, respectively. These sections encompass the analysis of backward trajectories using four different meteorological datasets to build trajectory frequency maps, the exploratory model analysis of modeled outputs from lower to higher spatial and temporal resolution datasets versus observed data using three monitoring stations, the wind direction analysis and the assessment of modeled concentrations from the dispersions versus ground data, to quantitatively validate and assist in identifying pollution sources in the study area. Chapter 5 describes the conclusions of the modeling methodology and Chapter 6 examines experiments comparing bioleaching and chemical leaching of crushed NdFeB magnets to enhance oxidation rates and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) extraction, using different grain sizes and quantities. These experiments are presented as an initial study to reduce REE concentrations in the air. These findings contribute to understanding PM source-path predictions in the El Paso-Juarez region and the significance of continuing the bioleaching study for the extraction of REEs and other metals.