Evaluation of Protein and Polysaccharide Biopolymers as Dust Suppressants on Mine Soils: Laboratory Experiments

Polysaccharide biopolymers have been shown to be alternatives to established dust suppressants. This study investigates the potential of 14 polysaccharides and proteins from diverse botanical (corn, pea, wheat, cellulose, potato, and fava bean) and animal (pig, chicken, and cow) sources as dust suppressants on two mine soils (medium-grained sand and fine-grained silica sand). Results of laboratory tests demonstrate that the type of biopolymer and its concentration have a significant effect on penetration resistance, moisture retention, and crust thickness. Depending on biopolymer type, concentration, and soil type, moisture retention range from 1.0 to 19.5 wt% (control, Cmedium-gr. = 2.5 and Cfine-gr. = 6.9 wt%), penetration resistance from 1.7 to 37.9 N (Cmedium-gr. = 1.5 and Cfine-gr. = 1.7 N), and crust thickness from 0.3 to 18.1 mm (Cmedium-gr. and Cfine-gr. = 0 mm). Proteins form crusts with penetration resistances similar to polysaccharides but mainly require higher concentrations than polysaccharides. Based on the test results, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, corn starch, fava bean protein concentrate, and plasma protein exhibit the highest potential to act as dust suppressants. This research contributes to evaluating biopolymers as environmentally friendly soil amendments that may be used to control fugitive dust emissions from large, barren surfaces.