Abstract
Both natural and anthropogenic emissions deteriorate air quality in large urban environments of the Middle East (ME). In this study, we quantify the interannual variability of aerosol optical properties over the greater region of Middle East (ME) during 2005 - 2015 by using the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2). We have analysed changes in local and regional air quality over the ME region. Over the past decade, based on annual mean, aerosol optical depth (AOD) values are in the range of 0.4 ̶ 0.5 prevailing over the northeastern ME region, especially over the Arabian Gulf, which is attribute to both mineral dust and anthropogenic activities. Examination of urban air pollution over nine large cities (Makkah, Riyadh, Dammam, Dubai, Jeddah, Manama, Muscat, Sanaa and Doha) showed that sulfate and primary organics are contributing 5 ̶ 35%, suggesting that reductions in local urban emissions could be an efficient measure for improving air quality in these population centers despite the significant contribution of desert dust in the total particulate matter levels.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - Dec 2018 |
Event | AGU Fall Meeting 2018 - Washington, D.C., United States Duration: 10 Dec 2018 → 14 Dec 2018 |
Conference
Conference | AGU Fall Meeting 2018 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Washington, D.C. |
Period | 10/12/18 → 14/12/18 |