Mass concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 fine-dispersed aerosol fractions in the Eastern Gobi Desert

Abstract

Results are presented of monitoring measurements of the mass concentration of PM10 (particles with the size of less than 10 μm) and PM2.5 (less than 2.5 μm) fine-dispersed aerosol fractions at the Sainshand and Zamyn-Uud stations located in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. Revealed are the annual variations of the mass concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 fine-dispersed aerosol fractions at these stations in 2008. The maximum values of monthly mean concentration during the year were observed in May in the period of dust storms. On the days with the steady calm weather, the mass concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 varied within 5–8 μg/m3 (PM10) and 3–5 μg/m3 (PM2.5) at the Sainshand station. During the dust storms, the maximum values of concentration exceeded 1400 μg/m3 (PM10) and 380 μg/m3 (PM2.5) that is by 28 (PM10) and 15 (PM2.5) times higher than the maximum permissible concentration for the European Union. Results are given of studying the frequency and duration of dust storms in recent 20 years (1991–2010) in the Eastern Gobi Desert.