Particulate matter source apportionment in Cairo: recent measurements and comparison with previous studies

Abstract

This paper presents results of an atmospheric particulate matter (PM) monitoring and source apportionment study conducted during summer and fall 2010 in Cairo. These results are compared to those of similar studies in 1999 and 2002. Concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 mass and their chemical constituents were determined and chemical mass balance modeling was conducted to estimate the source contributions to ambient PM. Emphasis was placed on characterizing the long-term trends in atmospheric lead (Pb) concentrations and their sources in Cairo. PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations were highest during fall 1999 at four of the five study sites. This was also the case for open (vegetative/trash) burning contributions, which showed a smaller increase during fall 2010. Burning of agricultural waste after the fall harvest continues to be a major source of PM in Cairo. Both PM 2.5 and PM 10 mass decreased dramatically at Shobra, an industrial site, from 1999 to 2010. A reduction of lead smelting has resulted in a decrease of ambient Pb concentrations of up to two orders of magnitude from 1999 to 2010 at Shobra, El-Zamalek, and El-Qualaly. From 1999 to 2010, the mobile source contribution has been relatively stable at most of the study sites. Future efforts to reduce ambient PM should focus on controlling emissions from motor vehicles and open burning and implementing mitigation strategies for reducing resuspended road and construction dust.

Identification and elucidation of anthropogenic source contribution in PM 10 pollutant: Insight gain from dispersion and receptor models

“…Air dispersion models have been widely used to address this issue by providing invaluable information for better and more efficient air quality planning (Lowenthal et al, 2014). They are computer-based models that calculate the distribution of the pollutants in the atmosphere from specified emission sources and meteorological scenario.…”

Stone Architectural Decoration in Burji Era: The Northern Mausoleum in the Khanqah of Al-Nasir Faraj Ibn Barquq (Cairo). Contribution to the Knowledge and Conservation Assessment

“…This phase can be linked to a side effect of the capillary rise of waters from the underground, which could be highly saline, due to the lack of sewage systems or leaking [16]. Indeed, this phenomenon has been already highlighted at the exterior of the Faraj's complex [16,[32][33][34]. On the other hand, also the atmosphere can be considered as an additional source, being in Cairo rich enough of sulfate species (mainly due to anthropic activities) and sodium chloride (by transport from the near-desert regions [31] and seas [32]).…”

Seasonal Variation in the Biological Effects of PM2.5 from Greater Cairo

“…Studies have been performed in Greater Cairo (Egypt) on urban, residential, suburban and industrial areas reporting the organic PM (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, PAHs) and inorganic (i.e., sulphate and nitrate) PM’s chemical compositions, including the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), potentially toxic trace and major elements and gases [12,13,14]. These studies evidenced high levels of atmospheric pollution, suggesting that low air quality should be considered the most serious environmental concern in Greater Cairo.…”