The effect of dust storm and industrial area on air quality of Salah Al-Dien-Iraq

Abstract EN

The Jezera area is believed to be a major source of the dust storm raised by the Shamal wind.

The total suspended particles concentrations in air at the industrial area and the areas around the northern of Iraq within Salah Al-Dien governorate was determined by using the low volume air sampler (Sniffer) at selected locations in three periods January , April and July2013.

The results of average concentration of suspended particles are higher than the permissible limits of the Iraqi National and the world standard limits during the three periods: January (659.

4 μg / m3), April (1175.

5 μg / m3) and July 2013 (2695.

2 μg / m3).

Comparison of the averages of the heavy metals (Pb, Zn.

and Cr) with the national and world limits, noticed that they are lower than these limits.

Except for the concentration of Cr, at the three periods and Pb in July only, were higher than the international limits.

The difference between the three periods reflects the effect of the wind direction, wind speed and the intensity of the dust storms during these months respectively.

Consequently, the total suspended particles and heavy metals pollutants concentrations for the sampling periods and the cumulative effects of studied periods showed an increase at the direction away from the industrial area mostly at the south and east directions depending on wind direction.