Pollution Over the Red Sea: A Transboundary Air Quality Study

Aiman Soleiman1, Mahmoud Abu-Allaban2, Menachem Luria3, Bob Bornstein4, Alan Gertler5

1Aqaba Special Economical Zone Authority, Aqaba, Jordan2Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan3Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel4San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, USA5Desert Research Institute, Reno NV, USA

Outline

Background - previous study

Objectives Measurements Initial results

Israel/Palestine Transboundary Study Investigated pollutant

transport and elevated O3 in the region

Funded by USAID US, Israeli, and

Palestinian investigators

Issues included: Densely populated

coastal area Effects down wind

Findings

Elevated ozone levels were found over Jordan.

Power plants and large industries are the major NOx contributors.

Contribution of transportation is also significant to ozone formation.

Israel/Jordan Transboundary Study Funded by USAID/MERC Enhance air quality capabilities in

the region (equipment and training)

Investigate the cause of elevated ozone over northern Jordan

Determine the cause of the brown cloud over the Red Sea

Additional relevancy for other studies: Issue of transboundary transport Example of international

cooperation State-of-the-art measurements

Measurements A mobile laboratory in Kibutz Eilot

DOAS system: True NO2, NO3

O3, NOx, SO2 and CO W/D, W/S, Solar Radiation, T, and

RH Calibration: Zero , Span

DOAS reflectors in Aqaba (6.68 km )

Fixed Monitoring Station in Aqaba O3, NOx, SO2, CO, HC W/D, W/S, Solar Radiation, T, and

RH Calibration: Zero , Span

Very small morning peak up to 9:30 am. Elevated conc In the afternoon, traffic! Elevated concentrations mainly for winds from the south Presence of high concentration events throughout different hours of the day

different wind directions, correlated with the NO conc. Highest concentration of ~81 ppb for SE winds at 9:50 am

NOx

NOx

A clear morning peak at 7:30 am. Elevated conc. In the afternoon. Presence of isolated high conc. events between the late afternoon and early

morning with different wind directions, correlated with the NO and NOx* conc.

Highest concentration of ~25 ppb for SW winds at 18:10 The true NO2 conc. are up to 50% lower than the monitor NO2

True NO2

Very small morning titration up to 9:30 am. Peak average conc. of ~50 ppb after noon, 13:00.

Isolated lowest concentrations mainly for winds from the south between the late afternoon and early morning correlated with the high nitrogen oxide events

Max concentration of ~90 ppb for NW winds at around17:00

O3

Elevated between 8:30-16:30. Peak average conc. of ~6 ppb after noon, 14:00. Peak concentrations mainly for winds from the south between the late morning

hours till the late afternoon and again at late night (2-4 am), some correlated with the high nitrogen oxide events

Max concentration of ~26 ppb for SE winds at around 10:40

SO2

Peak at 2am with average conc. of 78 ppt and max conc. Of 140 ppt for winds from the north

Elevated concentrations mainly for winds from the north

NO3

A reverse correlation appears between the lifetime of NO3 and NO2 conc., likely due to heterogeneous removal process

Summary Example of international cooperation to assess pollutant

transport and impacts.

High episodes related to WD north: NO3

important role played by WD from the south: SO2, NO, NOx* Elevated NO levels mainly during rush hours Some correlation of NOx w/ SO2

mix of transportation and industrial emissions Pollutant transport: Long range, regional

north Africa Israel returning export from Med. and Sinai (elevated pollution) South/central/eastern Europe

Episodes of elevated NO lead to titration of NO3 and ozone

Acknowledgements Funding: USAID/MERC

Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA)

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Hashemite University San Jose State University