This study aimed to detect the present levels and distribution of CO, CO 2 , SO 2 , NO 2 , and total hydrocarbons gases (HCs) produced from different industrial plants in Basra city, Iraq. Measurements were carried out in the winter and summer of 2011. CO, SO 2 , NO 2 , and HC concentrations were measured using a Drager CMS portable detector, while CO 2 concentrations were measured using a RI-411A portable detector. The average minimum concentrations of CO, CO 2 , SO 2 , NO 2 , and HCs were 2.

This paper aims to analyze the geographic distribution of air pollutant concentrations in Basra Province, Southern Iraq, and to cartographically determine the spatial variation of air pollution levels as well as to recognize the hottest spots of air pollution within the study area, and conclude that the levels of air pollution in the study area are spatially varied, with an irregular spatial pattern and some hotspots.

The present study aims to analyze the spatial and seasonal variations in levels of petroleum hydrocarbons at the urban environment of Basra City. This is made by determination of their concentrations in water, ambient air, and soils. Several samples were collected from different sampling stations during 2009. The determination of hydrocarbons in water samples was carried out using the procedure of UNESCO, and the hydrocarbons in ambient air were measured by the portable gas detector of Drager CMS, whereas the determination of hydrocarbons in soils was conducted as described in Al-Saad. The findings demonstrated that seasonal variations in hydrocarbon concentrations which were increased during winter for both water and soil samples, while increased during summer for ambient air samples. Moreover, there were spatial variations in hydrocarbon concentrations which were significantly higher at the sampling stations located within the urban center in comparison with those in the suburbs. The recorded values were ranged from 0.11 to 190.5 µg/l in water samples, from ≥ 20 to 29.3 ppm in ambient air samples, and from 0.56 to 41.58 µg/gmdry weight in soil samples. Some concentrations lies within high levels of exposure, which may give rise to adverse health consequences.

التقطت هذه الدراسة فرصة مناسبة ونادرة لتثبت فرضيتها؛ وذلك بالتزامن مع فرض منع تام لحركة المرور في مدينة البصرة في آذار 2020 بوصفه تدبيرا احترازياً للوقاية من جائحة كورونا التي تفشت في عموم البلاد مؤخراً. وعليه،  أجريت قياسات لضوضاء المرور وللجرعة الضوضائية خلال المدة المشار إليها ومقارنة النتائج مع دراسة مرجعية سابقة نفذت في المنطقة نفسها في العام 2018. جرى استخدام معدات وطريقة القياس نفسها وانتخبت نقاط القياس نفسها، وذلك لأجل تحقيق أكبر قدر من الدقة وصدق المقارنة. أظهر التحليل المقارن للنتائج وجود فارق ملحوظ في قياسات ضوضاء المرور بين الدراسة المرجعية والدراسة الحالية، نتيجة لحركة المرور الكثيفة في الحالة الأولى وتوقفها في الحالة الثانية. وقد بلغت نسبة التغاير 32% في حالة مستويات الضوضاء و99% في حالة الجرعة الضوضائية. وتشير النتائج إلى أن التباين المكاني في التلوث الضوضائي قد انخفضت حدته بين مناطق الدراسة الحالية نظراً لغياب العامل المؤثر المتمثل بحركة المرور وتعطل النشاط البشري. كما أن الجرعة الضوضائية مؤشر يمكن الاعتماد عليه في تقييم شدة التأثر بالضوضاء بدلاً من مقياس شدة الضوضاء المتعارف عليه المعتمد على مستوى الضوضاء فقط. ويمكن القول، عموماً، أن لجائحة كورونا في بعض الأحيان نتائج إيجابية غير مباشرة في البيئة على الرغم من خطورتها البالغة على صحة الإنسان.

The objective of this study is to determine the levels of gaseous pollutants, as indicators of ambient air quality, emitted from the industrial area of Khor Al-Zubayr, Southern Iraq. Several polluting-induced industries, such as petrochemical complex, gas liquefier plant, steel and iron complex, fertilizers factory, and gas-fueled power station, are located on the study area. Gaseous pollutants such as HCs, NOx, SOx, HCHO, O3, and CO2 measured using the portable detection instrument of Drager Chip-Measurement System, Germany, whereas portable instrument of RK1 Gas Monitoring Eagle II, USA, detected the pollutants of CH4, H2S, and CO. Fieldwork carried out during 2012 at six selected stations in the study area. The results have showed that there a spatial variability in gaseous concentrations throughout the selected stations. The measured concentrations of CO, CO2, NOx, SOx, H2S, HCs, CH4, and HCHO ranged from10.11 to 35.63, 100.01 to 400.01, 0.21 to 3.12, 0.92 to 9.59, 1.12 to 5.28, 10.51 to 28.21, 9.21 to 20.52, and 0.11 to 1.25 ppm, respectively; while O3 concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.24ppb. By comparison, the recorded levels differ with the previous studies results. These levels lies within the recommended guidelines and in other cases exceed it. Generally, air quality in the study area is safe. Some gaseous pollutants concentrations, however, may represents potentially hazard on the public health. Therefore, the need for more rigorous longitudinal monitoring with repeated measures across seasons and spaces to air pollution is necessary.