Urban Dust Fall Concentration and Its Properties in Kerman City, Iran

Abstract

Background: Dust events are common air pollution events in parts of the world in arid, semiarid, or desert areas. During the last years, air quality of Kerman city has been deteriorated due to urban and industrial development as well as population growth. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dust fall events in Kerman city. Material and Methods: The British Jar Test assembly method was applied. Sampling sites were located in seven spots of the city. Forty two dust fall samples were monthly collected during 6 months (May-November, 2009). All test methods have been adopted from the ASTM guideline and Air Sampling Method and Analysis text. Results: Dust fall concentrations were analyzed as a function of times, locations and meteorological parameters. The results showed that the maximum total dust fall (TDF) was 24.42 g/m2.month and the minimum 6.56 g/m2.month at Resallat square station and Shahab Avenue, respectively. The average of monthly concentration of TDF had its maximum in the fifth period (Sept-Oct) which was 17.44 g/m2.mon. The average of monthly concentration of TDF had its minimum in the fourth period (Aug-Sep) which was 11.9 g/m2.mon. TDF average concentration in the 6 month period of taking sample was 14.41 g/m2.mon. Conclusion: To sum up, there was no significant association between variables such as temperature, humidity, wind speed and dust concentration, whereas a significant association was found between precipitation variable and dust concentration. One –Way ANOVA Test demonstrated meaningful difference between mean of the TDF values in different stations and sampling period.