STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF PM CONCENTRATIONS DURING THE DUST STORMS AT MAY 2020 FOR SELÇUKLU DISTRICT OF KONYA CITY, TURKEY

Abstract

Dust storms are widespread events that occur several times a year and spread over many countries of the world relating the wind direction and speed. Especially particulate matter (PM) is the main pollutant spread over by these storms. Because of the dust storms, PM concentrations increase rapidly in the areas found on the way of dust storm passes In this study, statistical evaluation was made accordingly the PM data measured with personal measurement device in Selçuklu District of Konya and the meteorological and the air pollution data provided from air quality monitoring station, which is affiliated by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, located nearby. Pearson correlation test has been applied to both data sets and a significant relationship has been detected between the measured and provided data. Moreover, multiple linear regression was applied to the data for PM2.5 and PM10 separately. Adjusted R2 of the analysis has been found as 0.573 and 0.559 respectively for PM2.5 and PM10 which explains almost half of the relationship between PM and meteorological variables. The highest positive effect on PM pollution was determined as air temperature. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to both data and 4 different principal components were detected. Measured PM2.5 and PM10, air temperature, and relative humidity were clustered at the same component group.