Characterization of road dust in western North Dakota

Samples were collected during summer 2014, at three locations: along 15th St. SW near agricultural test plots, along an access road leading to a newly built oil drilling pad, and adjacent to the pad. MiniVol(TM) TAS Samplers (Air metrics, Springfield, OR) were used for sampling. Total Suspended Particles (TSP), and particulates less than 10 or 5 microns (PM 10 and PM2.5, respectively) were collected using quartz fiber filters. Samples were collected both pre and post access road and pad construction.;The mass concentration of TSP at 15th St. ranged from 365 - 911 microg/m3 (mean 507 microg/m3). Concentrations at the access road ranged from 8 -- 68 microg/m 3 and near the pad from 9 -- 42 microg/m3. SEM/EDS analyses show most particulates are silicate or carbonate mineral fragments or biogenetic particles. The most common particle size is between 2.5microm and 10microm.;The main sources of airborne particulate matter observed were from road dust re-suspension, and biological sources.