Modeling the dispersion of quarry particulate matter in Sakarya, Türkiye using AERMOD: impacts on agriculture and the environment

In highly productive Sakarya Province, understanding quarry-derived particulate dispersion and deposition is essential for protecting farmland and nearby communities. This study aims to quantify particulate matter (PM) emissions from a quarry operation located in Ferizli district, Sakarya Province, and to evaluate their potential environmental and human health impacts. In the field campaign, PM₁₀ concentrations were measured at three on-site locations using the gravimetric method, while deposited dust was monitored at four locations. An emission inventory was developed for excavation, loading/unloading, crushing–screening, haulage, and stockpiling activities using EPA-based emission factors under controlled and uncontrolled scenarios. Atmospheric dispersion was simulated with AERMOD, incorporating hourly meteorological data and terrain effects derived from AERMAP outputs. Measured PM₁₀concentrations remaining below the national limit value; deposited dust levels also did not exceed regulatory thresholds. Nevertheless, dispersion modeling indicated pronounced regional transport of pollutants, particularly toward agricultural areas. Despite the prevailing wind direction, the concentration maxima were oriented toward the southeast, which is attributed to local topography altering airflow patterns. The total controlled emission rate was calculated as 30.77kg h⁻¹, with the largest contribution originating from the secondary and tertiary crusher units. The findings underscore the importance of long-term monitoring with respect to heavy metal accumulation in agricultural soils and products. Recommended measures include regular heavy metal monitoring in agricultural soils, using pollutant-tolerant plant species, and installing vegetative buffer strips perpendicular to the dominant transport direction. Overall, the proposed measurement–inventory–modeling framework offers a practical approach for quarry sites with similar topographic and climatic conditions.