Chemical Characterization and Source Apportionment of PM2.5 in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The present study describes the measurement, chemical characterization and delineation of sources of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 , V and BC) and Sea Sprays (Cl -and Na). Backward-in-time trajectories showed a significant contribution by long distance transport of fine aerosols to the overall daily PM 2.5 levels. Results are consistent with previous studies and highlight the need for more comprehensive research into particulate air pollution in Rabigh and the neighboring areas. This is essential for the formulation of sustainable guidelines on air pollutant emissions in Saudi Arabia and the whole Middle East.

Airborne Carcinogenic Trace Elements Distribution Associated with Long Term Exposure in Makkah Population

“…As measures to regulate air pollutants are inadequate, poor urban air quality remains a problem in Saudi Arabia's major cities (Alharbi et al, 2015 andNayebare et al, 2016). Saudi Arabia's macroclimate is naturally semi-arid to arid, thereby leading to persistent pollutants over time.…”

Study of SO Pollution in the Middle East Using MERRA‐2, CAMS Data Assimilation Products, and High‐Resolution WRF‐Chem Simulations

“…The catalog presented by Fioletov et al () does not provide information on SO point source emission heights, but we know that in Saudi Arabia the height of the stacks in power and desalination plants, or petrochemical facilities, is typically between 35 and 150 m (Nayebare et al, ). Therefore, in our simulations in the ME we place elevated OMI‐HTAP SO emissions in the 120–1,000 m layer and surface OMI‐HTAP SO emissions in the 0–1,000 m layer with a constant mass mixing ratio.…”

Wet deposition of inorganic ions in 320 cities across China: spatio-temporal variation, source apportionment, and dominant factors

“…The mean pH values of most cities in SEC and SWC (i.e. Shanghai: 4.39 and Wuhan: 4.68) were lower than those in some remote areas such as Jiuzhaigou (5.95) and Yulong mountain (5.94) (Qiao et al, 2018;Niu et al, 2014), while the average pH values of some cities in NC and NWC such as Zhengzhou (6.09) and Ürümqi (6.13) were slightly higher than those in remote areas. It was assumed that the remote areas were less affected by anthropogenic sources except local tourist activities, while high aerosol emissions were mainly centred on some metropolitan areas of SEC and SWC.…”

“…Nevertheless, some remote areas in NWC and SWC such as Lhasa and Aba showed lower secondary ions due to sparse population and anthropogenic activities (Li et al, 2007). In these regions, these secondary ions were mainly derived from a crustal source, and then deposited concurrently in rainfall events (Niu et al, 2014). In addition, relatively extensive anthropogenic activities such as increased vehicle exhaust might promote the emissions of secondary ions in the tourist season (Qiao et al, 2017).…”

“…The concentrations of NO − 3 , SO 2− 4 , and NH + 4 in most cities of China except Qingdao (Shandong Province) and Lhasa (Tibet autonomous region) were significantly higher than those in some natural reserve areas such as Jiuzhaigou, Yulong mountain, and Nam Co (Qiao et al, 2018;Niu et al, 2014) (Table 1), suggesting the local point and non-point emissions in these cities played important roles in the concentrations of inorganic ions in the precipitation. However, the concentrations of these inorganic ions in most cities were lower than those in foreign cities such as Singapore, Petra (Jordan), Tokyo, and Newark (United States) (Balasubramanian et al, 2001;Al-Khashman et al, 2005;Okuda et al, 2005;Song and Gao, 2009), indicating the effects of restricting emissions of air pollutants since the Chinese Twelfth Five-Year Plan (L. .…”