Cost Effective Environmentally Sustainable Solutions for Broadacre Dust Abatement QUATTRO SOLUTIONS TO BROADACRE DUST PROBLEMS

 Dust is a by-product of soil disturbance in most broad acre applications.  This applies equally to construction, land development, agriculture and forestry.  Dust produced in these activities has the capacity to pose health, environmental and regulatory risks in urban and rural landscapes. INTRODUCTION

 Wind borne dust has been implicated in respiratory problems such as childhood asthma within communities in proximity to dust producing operations.  Equally wind entrained dust is implicated in environmental degradation through the transmission of saline and other environmentally toxic substances.  An associated problem is the dispersal of phytotoxic substances in similar situations by water. ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS

 Current strategies used to manage this problem include the continual spraying of water  The utilisation of bonded cellulose products to form a layer capable of protecting the soil surface and preventing entrainment of dust by the wind.  The problem is that these applications are usually rigid, unable to be reconstituted or easily degraded. SOLUTIONS

 Quattro is able to offer cost effective solutions to the dissemination by both wind and water of undesirable particles in broad acre situations.  Our product combines a synthetic and naturally occurring polymer (lignin – the chemical that binds cellulose bundles together in wood to create rigidity) to achieve a bond that is both durable and flexible.  The combination of polymers means that the resultant bond is both capable of being rejuvenated by watering and sufficiently durable, whilst at the same time being able to resist erosion by rainfall or wind.  The product is not pH specific and is capable of being mixed with water of varying quality, pH and salinity. THE QUATTRO SOLUTION

 The use of both synthetic and natural polymers allows the product mix to be adjusted so as to reflect the specific physical and regulatory requirements of a location.  This is of particular relevance in environmentally sensitive precincts such as national parks and environmental reserves.  It also allows Quattro to formulate a blend of products to meet the specific geological, physical and environmental conditions appropriate at each location.  For example the products required to prevent dust emission from a slimes dam or farming paddock is likely to be different.  The use of a bi-polymer product is recommended on areas of low traffic or abrasion such as tailings dumps, slimes dams and under sown paddocks.  A synthetic polymer creates a sealed impermeable layer, insoluble to water that once degraded needs to be replaced as opposed to rejuvenated. THE QUATTRO SOLUTION CONT.

 Dustac is water soluble and the addition of water with or without additional product allows for reincorporation of the product in the soil profile.  In areas of high wear such as roads, laydowns and parking areas the use of Dustac alone is recommended.  The combination of polymers results in a product that is partially water soluble and depending on the quantity of water used and the density of the surface will create a layer 5 to 15 mm in depth.  The depth of this bonded layer can be manipulated by water and product volume to achieve a cover specific to the requirements of the situation. THE QUATTRO SOLUTION CONT.

The results of using Quattro’s broadacre dust suppressant products are as follows;  A reduction in the number of applications and the cost of chemicals  A reduction in the amount of water being used.  Environmental and regulatory compliance.  Occupational health and safety compliance  Improved community relations on sites adjacent to residential, agricultural or ecologically sensitive areas. THE OUTCOME

 The relative concentration of polymers in the supplied product will be blended by Quattro according to the particular circumstances of the situation.  In normal instances Quattro’s proprietary blend is comprised 70% Dustac and 30% synthetic polymer.  Quattro use a number of synthetic polymers with different characteristics  The general application rate is 1500 litres per hectare or 0.15 litre/m 2.  The concentrated product is normally mixed in water to create a 10% solution.  Although this is the normal application rate, the actual rate is determined by the jobs specific requirements. APPLICATION RATES

 Of importance is the nature of the aggregate to be bonded and the intended objective.  The porosity of the surface will determine the volume of water in which the product will be mixed.  The number of applications required to apply the final mixture is also a function of the density of the aggregate.  The general rate of application is 15,000 litres of spray solution per hectare or 1.5 litres/m 2.  This is an application of litres of Dustac and litres of synthetic polymer per square meter. APPLICATION RATES CONT.

 The maintenance requirements are determined by a combination of surface, slope, climatic conditions and utility.  Generally Dustac can be reapplied at the rate of 0.10 litre/m 2 every six months or after major rainfall event. MANTAINANCE