Research Article Open Access

Elemental Composition and Concentration of Atmospheric Particulate Matter in Kuwait

Jasem M. Al-Awadhi1 and Anwar B. Al-Helal2
  • 1 Kuwait University, Kuwait
  • 2 College of Basic Education, Kuwait

Abstract

Hourly PM10 and PM2.5 samples were simultaneously collected at 10 and 3 urban sites, respectively in Kuwait from March 2014 to February 2015, to study the air quality and heavy metals content and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) in PM10 samples. The annual average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were 152 and 97.3 μg/m3, respectively, with an average PM2.5/PM10 ratio of 70%. The contamination level of heavy metals in PM10 samples was assessed in terms of Enrichment Factor (EF) using mathematical models. The elements associated with an anthropogenic activity in the PM10 samples; i.e., Pb, Cu, Co, Cd and Zn, were 2.4, 12.9, 14.6, 42.6 and 156.2 times higher than the corresponding background values in Kuwait soil. TPH was the dominant pollutant in the PM10 samples. In general, most daily average Air Quality Indices (AQI) of PM10 concentrations fell under the categories of "good" and "moderate"

American Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 13 No. 1, 2017, 77-92

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2017.77.92

Submitted On: 2 July 2016 Published On: 18 February 2017

How to Cite: Al-Awadhi, J. M. & Al-Helal, A. B. (2017). Elemental Composition and Concentration of Atmospheric Particulate Matter in Kuwait. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 13(1), 77-92. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2017.77.92

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Keywords

  • PM10
  • PM2.5
  • Heavy Metals
  • TPHs