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. 2018 Apr 5;164(1):101–114. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy064

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Claim 28 mine site sample contains respirable metallic mineral grains. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) spectroscopic characterizations of sediments (A and B) and submicron grains (arrows) from the Claim 28 mine site reveal respirable-sized grains of carnotite mineral ore, confirmed by spectral analysis (spectrum specific to inset grain in B). Sediments from Claim 28 collected in a cascade impactor following resuspension (C and D) highlight the potential for enrichment of toxic metals in the respirable size fraction. Sediments were resuspended in air and captured in a cascade impactor to characterize respirable fractions. Specifically, respirable particles composed of carnotite, which is a uranyl-vanadate mineral [K2(UO2)2(VO4)2·3H2O], can be found in respirable dust from mine sites (C and D). High-resolution TEM imaging of carnotite grains in the Claim 28 PM10 samples reveals agglomerated nanocrystals with enhanced surface area (E–G).