ABSTRACT
Background: The present study investigated the effect of the Middle East dust storm episodes on the concentration and composition of PM[10] during April to September 2013 in Sanandaj City, western Iran
Methods: Sampling was once every six days, and on dusty days using an Omni air sampler. The PM[10] sample was collected on polytetrafluoroethylene filters. Average of 24 h values of PM[10] mass concentrations was determined. Half of each sample filter and blank filter was analyzed for water -soluble ions and the other half was digested for metal analysis
Results: The average PM[10] concentration was 160.63 micro g/m[3]. The lowest and highest concentrations of PM[10] were in May and June respectively. The average PM[10] concentration during the non-dusty days was 96.88 [micro g /m[3]]. Nevertheless, it increased by 4.8 times during the dusty days. Ca[2+], Cl[-], NO3[-], and Na[+] accounted for 71% of total water-soluble ions on the dusty days. During the dusty days, the dominant elements in PM[10] were Na, Ca, Mg, Al, and Fe contributing to 95.72% of total measured metals. The correlation coefficient and enrichment factor analysis have shown that on dusty days, Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Sr, and V were the elements with the crustal sources
Conclusions: Concentrations of PM[10] during dusty days were considerably higher than that during non-dusty days. In addition, concentrations of water-soluble ions and metals were also higher during dusty days