Dust resuspension rates in Kuwait: insights from 7Be and 137Cs radionuclides.

Abstract

Dust resuspension rates in four different landscapes in Kuwait were estimated over a 2-year period using 7Be and 137Cs radionuclides. The average rates of resuspension of particles labeled with 7Be (2 × 10-3 ± 3.9 × 10-4 s-1) were much higher than those of particles labeled with 137Cs (1.6 × 10-6 ± 2.15 × 10-7 s-1), which indicates increased short-term fluctuations in recently deposited dust. Conversely, the resuspension rates for particles labeled with 137Cs were considerably lower, which better reflects long-term variations in dust resuspension. This evaluation approach may provide a foundation for future studies assessing the impact of suspended dust particulates on the performance of solar power systems, in conjunction with other influencing factors like vertical mass flux.