The elemental composition of atmospheric particles and dust fall rate in Erbil governorate

Abstract EN

Sand and Dust Storms are usually developed in arid and semiarid regions.

Dust and sand storms are a persistent problem in Iraq and other areas in the Middle East.

Dust fall is one of the important air pollutants in the ambient air of Erbil governorate.

This study was aimed to investigate the falling dust rate and their chemical element composition by percentage (%) using (CIT-3000SMP X-ray Fluorescence) from January to December 2013.

We compared the dust rate fall and elemental composition of atmospheric particles in three different areas within Erbil governorate.

The dust fall rate and the chemical element composition of dust particles were determined at four sampling locations in Erbil governorate, which were included (Erbil, koya, Makhmur and Pirmam).

Our results showed that the maximum dust fall rate was recorded in Erbil (97.6 gm/m2 .year), whereas minimum concentration was found in Koya (59.24 gm/m2 .year).

The higher of mean percentage by weight of some elements such as (Fe, Sb, Se, Nb, Tc, Te, Ag, Ta, Mo, Po, In, Cd, V, At and Zr) were higher in Erbil city compared to other areas of study