Seventeenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the mass concentration and physicochemical characteristics of PM10 and PM2.5 samples in Muscat. PM10 and PM2.5 samples were collected using the particulates e-sampler from Sultan Qaboos Road, the most congested road with an estimate of 4193 per hour in Muscat, Oman. The average PM10 concentration in Muscat varied from 38.78 µg/m3 during the 24 hours to 32.93 µg/m3 in the day hours. PM2.5 concentration ranged from 20.74 µg/m3 during day hours to 17.85 µg/m3 for 24 hours. However, the estimated Total Suspended Particles varied from 110.93 µg/m3 in 24 hours to 94.19 µg/m3 in the day hours. These results in general reveal how the heavy traffic in day hours contribute largely to the particulate pollution. Average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in Muscat were below NAAQS (2006) and WHO (2005) standards. Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) of PM2.5 particles show spherical like fly ash and chain like soot aggregates with less abundance of irregular shape particles. These might have originated from fuel burning and vehicle emissions. On the other hand, PM10 particles were irregular, chain like soot aggregates and spherical like fly ashes that are referred to originate from natural and anthropogenic emissions. Fe, O and Si are the major components present in the PM2.5 and PM10 particles while other elements are present in lower percentages.