Abstract
Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were collected from January to December 2007 to investigate the sources and chemical speciation in Palestine, Jordan, and Israel. The 24-h PM2.5 samples were collected on 6-day intervals at eleven urban and rural sites simultaneously. Major chemical components including metals, ions, and organic and elemental carbon were analyzed. The mass concentrations of PM2.5 across the 11 sites varied from 20.6 to 40.3 μg/m3, with an average of 28.7 μg/m3. Seasonal variation of PM2.5 concentrations was substantial, with higher average concentrations (37.3 μg/m3) in the summer (April–June) months compared to winter (October–December) months (26.0 μg/m3) due mainly to high contributions of sulfate and crustal components. PM2.5 concentrations in the spring were greatly impacted by regional dust storms. Carbonaceous mass was the most abundant component, contributing 40% to the total PM2.5 mass averaged across the eleven sites. Crustal components averaged 19.1% of the PM2.5 mass and sulfate, ammonium, and nitrate accounted for 16.2%, 6.4%, and 3.7%, respectively, of the total PM2.5 mass. The results of this study demonstrate the need to better protect the health and welfare of the residents on both sides of the Jordan River in the Middle East.
Highlights
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is a complex, heterogeneous mixture, whose physical size distribution and chemical composition change in time and space, and is dependent on various emissions sources, atmospheric chemistry, and meteorological conditions [1, 2]
Similar conclusions representing observed PM2.5 mass closure problems due to unidentified chemical components are drawn by other studies [75, 76]
Large uncertainties are associated with the contribution of crustal components
Summary
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is a complex, heterogeneous mixture, whose physical size distribution and chemical composition change in time and space, and is dependent on various emissions sources, atmospheric chemistry, and meteorological conditions [1, 2]. Air quality regulations have largely focused on local or national control strategies but it is likely that emissions from countries that share the same airshed, such as Palestine, Israel, and Jordan, impact each other and that regional multinational air quality control strategies will need to be developed to best protect human health. This current analysis provides results on PM2.5 concentrations and chemical composition collected as part of a novel monitoring study conducted over a relatively large geographical area within the Middle East (Palestine, Jordan, and Israel). The results from this study can provide better understanding of the spatial differences of sources and chemical components of PM2.5 in different geographic regions and be used to make more effective regulatory policies
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