Interannual variations of aerosol optical properties in large population centers of the Middle East. Contributions of different sources

M. Z. Shahid, D. R. Roshan, Christos Fountoukis, Mohammed Ali Ayoub

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

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 languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2018
EventAGU Fall Meeting 2018 - Washington, D.C., United States
Duration: 10 Dec 201814 Dec 2018

Conference

ConferenceAGU Fall Meeting 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington, D.C.
Period10/12/1814/12/18

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