Investigating the Occurrence of Dust in the Country with the Ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 Concentration Index

Subject Areas : Natural resources and environmental hazards

Mahsa Tamjidi ¹ (Department Of Environment)
Madjid Abbaspour ² (harif University of Technologyُ)
یوسف رشیدی ³ (هیئت علمی دانشگاه بهشتی تهران)
علیرضا میرزاحسینی ⁴ (دانشکده منابع طبیعی و محیط زیست دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی،واحد علوم و تحقیقات، تهران، ایران)

Received: 2024-02-22 Accepted : 2024-06-11 Published : 2024-06-19

Keywords: Dust, concentration of PM10and PM 2.5, concentration of pollution,

Abstract :

Introduction: Dust storms, as one of the major environmental crises in the Middle East, have widespread impacts on the quality of life, human health, soil fertility, visibility, the economy, and social aspects. This phenomenon is common in arid and desert regions, especially in Iran, where a significant portion of the country is located in dry and semi-arid areas. Given the importance of this issue, identifying the sources and aggravating factors is essential. Dust storms consist of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers (PM10). This study examines the PM2.5/PM10 concentration ratio as an indicator for determining the occurrence of dust storms within the country's environmental monitoring system. Materials and Methods: In this study, a simple and practical method for determining dust days is presented. Based on the received data of dust occurrence from reliable authorities, the ratio of PM2.5/PM10 was calculated on the mentioned days and based on the results of the calculations, a numerical index of the probability of dust occurrence was presented. For this purpose, first a dust event on a specific date (July 25, 2018) was investigated in Khuzestan province (Ahvaz city) and based on this, the ratio of PM2.5/PM10 data in the provinces of Khuzestan, Kerman, Yazd, Bushehr, Qom, Zanjan, Markazi, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Gilan and Tehran were calculated.
Results and Discussion: Based on the occurrence of dust storms in the provinces of Khuzestan, Kerman, Yazd, Bushehr, Qom, Zanjan, Markazi, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Gilan and Tehran in the period of 2018 and calculating the hourly average ratio of PM2.5/PM10 index number Calculated. The results show that when the PM2.5/PM10 ratio is less than 0.1, there is dust occurrence. Based on this, the days of the event are divided into three categories: PM2.5/PM10 =0.1 dust days, PM2.5/PM10 =0.5 light dust days, and PM2.5/PM10 =0.1-0.5 medium dust days.
Conclusion: The results showed that among the investigated provinces, the average concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 in Ahvaz station is 355 micrograms per cubic meter and 27.15 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively, and both concentrations are in the dangerous range. Also, according to the obtained results, the PM2.5/PM10 ratio and its relation with the air quality index were confirmed, and the results can be used by policymakers to design and implement effective control measures during dust incidents. be used The results of this research show that the ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 can be considered as an indicator regarding the time of dust occurrence.

References:

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