Impact of particulates generated by auto-exhaust on air quality over Damietta city – Egypt

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess the influence of particulates generated by traffic on air quality of the urban area in Damietta City, Egypt. In this study, particulate concentrations had demonstrated in the atmosphere of seven locations in the city, through year 2018 and comparing with the data of year 2009. The chemical characteristics of particulate components (SO4 2-, NH4 + , NO3 -, NO2and Cl -) had also investigated for the sampling locations. It indicated that about 100 % of the measured samples exceeded Egyptian ambient air quality standard (90 g/m 3 /year). The air quality index (AQI) of traffic and residential areas in Damietta City with respect to suspended particulate matter (SPM) shows a significant improvement of air quality during the period of 2018, compared with the concentrations during the period of 2009, which indicated extreme air pollution at that period. Whereas the main compounds in SPM in the city follow the order: (NH4)2SO4> NH4NO3. These results clarify that the reaction between NOx, SO2 and ammonia gases might be emitted from auto-exhaust.