How different source regions across the Middle East change aerosol and dust particle characteristics

Abstract

A major question is whether different source regions across the Middle East account for changes in aerosol and dust particle characteristics, which impact Western Iran. Therefore, over a period of sampling from April 2017 to April 2018, dust particles were collected in Western Iran from different cities including Urmia, Sanandaj, Sare-Pole-Zahab, Dehloran and Abadan. The research aim is to compare the chemical compositions of dust and aerosol samples collected during the dust events from the different regions. Results of the analysis of components indicate that during dust events, the concentrations of major and trace elements change. The variability of chemical species during dust events, noted by tracking the dust plumes in satellite images, was also assessed and the results related to the different source areas, namely the dry lands of North-Western Iraq and the desert areas of South-Eastern Syria, some parts of Kuwait and KSA (around the Persian Gulf). Generally, the results show, different source regions across the Middle East have individual chemical compositions with different abundances.

Keywords

• dust-prone regions
• dust particles
• sediment source fingerprinting
• the middle east