Spatial and Temporal Variation in Fine Particulate Matter Mass and Chemical Composition: The Middle East Consortium for Aerosol Research Study

• Authors: Ziad Abdeen, Al Quads University; Radwan Qasrawi, Al Quads University; Jongbae Heo, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Bo Wu, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Jacob Shpund, Israel Union for Environmental Defense; Arye Vanger, Israel Union for Environmental Defense; Geula Sharf, Israel Union for Environmental Defense; Tamar Moise, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies; Shmuel Brenner, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies; Khaled Nassar, Jordan Society for Sustainable Development; Rami Saleh, Jordan Society for Sustainable Development; Qusai M. Al-Mahasneh, Jordan Society for Sustainable Development; Jeremy Sarnat, Emory University; James J. Schauer, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Journal Title: Scientific World Journal
• Volume: Volume 2014
• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation | 2014-01-01, Pages 878704-878704
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1155/2014/878704
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences; Engineering, Environmental
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Multidisciplinary Sciences; Science & Technology - Other Topics; CARBONACEOUS AEROSOL; AIR-POLLUTION; UNITED-STATES; SOURCE APPORTIONMENT; ELEMENTAL CARBON; ORGANIC AEROSOL; PM1 AEROSOLS; SOUTH-KOREA; URBAN AREA; PM2.5

Abstract

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were collected from January to December 2007 to investigate the sources and chemical speciation in Palestine, Jordan, and Israel. The 24-h PM2.5samples were collected on 6-day intervals at eleven urban and rural sites simultaneously. Major chemical components including metals, ions, and organic and elemental carbon were analyzed. The mass concentrations of PM2.5across the 11 sites varied from 20.6 to 40.3 g/m3, with an average of 28.7 g/m 3. Seasonal variation of PM2.5concentrations was substantial, with higher average concentrations (37.3 g/m3) in the summer (April-June) months compared to winter (October-December) months (26.0 g/m3) due mainly to high contributions of sulfate and crustal components. PM2.5 concentrations in the spring were greatly impacted by regional dust storms. Carbonaceous mass was the most abundant component, contributing 40% to the total PM2.5mass averaged across the eleven sites. Crustal components averaged 19.1% of the PM2.5mass and sulfate, ammonium, and nitrate accounted for 16.2%, 6.4%, and 3.7%, respectively, of the total PM2.5 mass. The results of this study demonstrate the need to better protect the health and welfare of the residents on both sides of the Jordan River in the Middle East.