A novel WIF–ESH framework for environmental hazard zoning of mining aerosols in semi-arid environments

Purpose. This study proposes a novel environmental assessment framework for wind-driven iron-rich mining aerosols in the Boukhadra (BK) iron mining district, northeastern Algeria. Methodology. Dust fallout, soil and ore samples were collected within the mine and up to 2 km from the principal emission sources during the March–April transition period. Mineralogical (XRD), geochemical (XRF, triacid digestion, UV–Visible spectrophotometry and AAS), gravimetric dust-deposition measurements, wind analyses and emission-source characterization were integrated within the proposed WIF–ESH Framework. Findings. Deposited aerosols are dominated by hematite, quartz and carbonate minerals. Fe2O3 concentrations reached approximately 27 %, while dust deposition rates ranged from 92.8 to 239.2 g  m-2  day-1, exceeding internationally recognized nuisance-dust guideline values. The results indicate that aerosol dispersion is influenced not only by prevailing winds but also by the transient redistribution of wind-frequency occurrence during seasonal transition periods. Integrating WIF with ESH improves the interpretation of transport pathways and environmental hazard zoning. Originality. The principal contribution of this study is the introduction of Wind-Influenced Frequency (WIF) as a new environmental descriptor for assessing mining-aerosol dispersion. Combined with Emission Source Hierarchy (ESH) and conventional mineralogical, geochemical and deposition analyses, the proposed WIF–ESH Framework provides an initial methodological basis for future predictive studies of aerosol transport and environmental hazard assessment in semi-arid mining environments. Practical value. The proposed framework enhances environmental monitoring and hazard assessment of mining-derived aerosols and, following further validation, offers potential applications in source attribution, environmental management, land-use planning and geological mapping.