Characterizing Atmospheric Emissions of Particulate Matter from Copper Smelting

A new scientific paper was published in January 2026 by Aaron J. Goodman, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Montreal. This study was conducted under the supervision of Professors Patrick L. Hayes and Kevin J. Wilkinson and in collaboration with Houssame-Eddine Ahabchane, all from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Montreal.

The paper proposes new methods for air sampling and analysis to better understand atmospheric emissions from industrial sources. Air samples were collected in the vicinity of the Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda using a Coriolis-μ device, enabling rapid sampling with high spatial and temporal resolution. Airborne particles were collected directly in water, enabling a novel combination of analytical techniques and a better interpretation of the timing, magnitude, and elemental signature of the smelter’s emissions.

Do atmospheric concentrations of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium vary rapidly over time? How do these concentrations vary with distance from the smelter? Is it possible to identify the source of airborne particles? Read the article to discover the results of this study.

Full citation:

Goodman, Aaron J., Houssame-Eddine Ahabchane, Patrick L. Hayes, and Kevin J. Wilkinson. “Characterizing Atmospheric Emissions of Particulate Matter from Copper Smelting through Coriolis-μ Air Sampling and Single Particle ICP–MS Analysis.” ACS ES&T Air 3, no. 2 (January 13, 2026): 385–95. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.5c00307.