Quantitative Analysis of Precipitated Dust in Nineveh, Tikrit and Kirkuk Cities- IRAQ for the years 2011 and 2012 Compared with the Previous years

Abstract

In this study, twelve location (6 in Nineveh, 3 in Kirkuk and Tikrit) were chosen to measure the precipitated dust for the years 2011and 2012. The stations were located in residential, commercial, industrial areas. The results showed a variation in the precipitated dust mean within the same year (different results with months) and an increase in 2012 compared to 2011 for Kirkuk and Tikrit by a ratio of 16% and 6.5%, respectively. The precipitated dust analysis in Nineveh showed decreasing of precipitated dust in 2012 compared to 2011 by a ratio of 21%. The precipitated dust in Tikrit was the highest, then Kirkuk and Nineveh in the last order in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, the mean value was 53.39, 37.2 and 16.3 g/m2 respectively; while in 2012 the mean value was 57, 44.4 and 12.8 g/m2 , respectively as Tikrit area is widely affected by desertification and dust storms from Iraqi- Syrian border. The results also showed that the average mean of the precipitated dust was Five times more the standard limits of the Iraqi regulation (10 g/m2 ) which impacts on the human health as the dust particles contain many air pollutants and heavy metals attached to these particles