Abstract
In this study, the particulate matter mass (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations we measured during May 2018–March 2019 in an urban atmosphere of Amman, Jordan. The results showed that the annual mean PM10 concentration was 64 ± 39 µg m–3 and the PM2.5/PM10 ratio was 0.8 ± 0.2. According to the Jordanian Air Quality standards (JS-1140/2006), the observed PM10 annual mean value was below the limit value but that of the PM2.5 was three times higher than the corresponding limit value. However, both exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline values. In a larger perspective, the annual mean PM10 concentrations in Jordan were lower than what was reported in other cities in the Middle East but were higher when compared to other Mediterranean cities. During the measurement period, Jordan was affected by Sand and Dust Storm (SDS) episodes on 14 days. The source origins of these dust outbreaks were traced back to North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Levant. The 24-hour PM10 concentrations during these SDS episodes ranged between 108 and 188 µg m–3, which was about 3–6 times higher than the mean values during clean conditions (~33 µg m–3).
Highlights
Aerosols affect the Earth’s atmosphere directly, e.g., by the scattering of solar radiation, which results in the cooling of the Earth's surface, and indirectly, e.g., by participating in cloud formation
During May 2018–March 2019, the daily mean RH was in the range 20– 100% and the daily mean P was in the range 890–908 hPa
Air quality issues related to sand and dust storms (SDS) in the Middle East are one of the critical issues that require more attention because the frequency and the intensity of Sand and Dust Storm (SDS) episodes have increased recently due to escalating climate change impacts and increased anthropogenic emissions in the region
Summary
Aerosols affect the Earth’s atmosphere directly, e.g., by the scattering of solar radiation, which results in the cooling of the Earth's surface, and indirectly, e.g., by participating in cloud formation. Aerosols originate from a vast range of local sources (natural and anthropogenic) and long-range transport. Aerosols have adverse health effects (Pope and Dockery 2006). Cardiorespiratory and lung problems have been often associated with long-term exposure and inhalation of dust particles (Pope et al, 2002; Hoek et al, 2013). A sand and dust storm (SDS) is by definition an aeolian processes that occur wherever there is a supply of granular material The arid and semi-arid regions that have a supply of granular material are found in deserts, beaches, and etc. Airborne dust particles can be transported from their source area across thousands of kilometers affecting weather and climate, air quality, ecosystem productivity, hydrological
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