Abstract
The chemical composition of settling particles from 23 heavy dust storms in Israel has been determined. These storms occurred over a 20-year period in Jerusalem and Ramat Hasharon, north of Tel Aviv. Meteorological conditions during the storms were examined and the storms classified according to their trajectories into two types: (a) North African; and (b) Arabian Desert. The North African type is by far the most common. The composition of the dust storms is monotonic. Additional interpretation of the chemical analyses using Enrichment Factors reveals the following points. (1) The settling particles are relatively enriched in Ca probably from the local terrain and in Cl derived from the Mediterranean Sea. They are also enriched in S for unexplained reasons. Other elements enriched include Pb and Br and these are presumably due to contamination from the use of leaded petrol. (2) Comparison of the two types of dust storms shows that the Arabian Desert type contains less Cl and U. The composition of an Israel Background Reference Standard is suggested for use in future ecological studies of settling particles in Israel.
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