The contribution of Saharan dust in PM10 concentration levels in Anatolian Peninsula of Turkey

B. Kabatas, A. Unal*, R. B. Pierce, T. Kindap, L. Pozzoli

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sahara-originated dust is the most significant natural source of particulate matter; however, this contribution is still unclear in the Eastern Mediterranean especially in Western Turkey, where significant industrial sources and metropolitan areas are located. The Real-time Air Quality Modeling System (RAQMS) is utilized to explore the possible effects of Saharan dust on high levels of PM10 measured in Turkey. RAQMS model is compared with 118-air quality stations distributed throughout Turkey (81 cities) for April 2008. MODIS aerosol product (MOD04 for Terra and MYD04 for Aqua) is used to see columnar aerosol loading of the atmosphere at 550nm (Aerosol optical depth (AOD) values found to be between 0.6 and 0.8 during the episode). High-resolution vertical profiles of clouds and aerosols are provided from CALIOP, on board of CALISPO satellite. The results suggest a significant contribution of Sahara dust to high levels of PM10 in Turkey with RAQMS and in situ time series showing similar patterns. The two data sets are found to be in agreement with a correlation of 0.87.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)413-421
Number of pages9
JournalScience of the Total Environment
Volume488-489
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2014

Funding

This study was supported by Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) Contract 110Y078, and presented and discussed in special session of the Air Quality Management at Urban, Regional and Global Scales, 4th International Symposium and IUAPPA Regional Conference (AQM2012) held in Istanbul Turkey in September 10–13, 2012.

FundersFunder number
TUBITAK110Y078, AQM2012
Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştirma Kurumu

    Keywords

    • Air quality
    • RAQMS model
    • Remote sensing
    • Sahara dust

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