Seasonal impact to air qualities in industrial areas of the arabian gulf region

Abstract

Air quality conditions and pollution status have been evaluated in the industrial area between Sharjah and Ajman border in UAE. Daily concentrations of O3, CO, NO2, SO2, PM2.5, PM10, Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) and Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) have been monitored from Sept. 2015 to April 2016. The monthly average concentrations of O3, CO, NO2, SO2, TVOC were within the UAE ambient air quality standards during the survey period. However, PM10 and TSP levels exceeded the recommended limits in Sept. 2015, Oct. 2015 and March 2016. Temporal variations in air quality parameters showed highest levels in March 2016 for PM2.5, PM10, NO2, TVOC and TSP, whereas O3, SO2 and CO showed relatively low values in this month. PM2.5 levels in ambient air were above the EPA guideline of 35 μg/m³ in all months. PM2.5 was the critical ambient air pollutant with Index for Pollutant (Ip) values varying from 103-209, indicating Air Quality Index categories of unhealthy for sensitive groups (62.5%) to unhealthy (25%) to very unhealthy (12.5%). The Ip average values of PM2.5 decreased from Sept. 2015 to reach lowest value in Dec. 2015 before increasing gradually, peaking in March 2016. These results suggest the potential health risks associated with PM2.5 is low in winter, where the prevailing meteorological conditions of lower temperatures, higher humidity, higher wind speed reduced particulate matter. The results revealed the industrial area is impacted by anthropogenic and natural sources of particulate matter.