Climatological Study of Air Pollutant Emissions in Saudi Arabia
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Published:2023-04-18
Issue:4
Volume:14
Page:729
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ISSN:2073-4433
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Container-title:Atmosphere
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Atmosphere
Author:
Al-Mutairi Motirh1, Al-Otaibi Nahaa2ORCID, Saber Amgad3ORCID, Abdel Basset Heshmat3, Morsy Mostafa3ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Department of Geography, College of Arts, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia 2. Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia 3. Department of Astronomy and Meteorology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the spatio-temporal distribution, variation, abrupt change, and long-term trends of major pollutant emissions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) over the period 1960–2020 using the Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate (MACC)/CityZEN EU projects (MACCity) emissions dataset inventory. These pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), black carbon (BC), and organic carbon (OC). Seven stations were selected (Al-Bahah, Abha, Dahra, Jeddah, Riyadh, Qassim, and Ahsa), which correspond to the highest (hotspot) annual pollutant emissions. The annual cycle analysis of the six pollutant emissions revealed that there are four distinct patterns; the first one has one interannual wave while the other three patterns have two interannual waves. The analysis of the different sectors’ contributions to pollutant emissions revealed that the energy, transportation, and industries sectors have the highest percentage contributions. Significant abrupt change points were detected in 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2005, and 2010. The development and growth rates in the KSA starting from the early 1970s are attributed to the oil boom. The great increase in pollutant emissions in the early 1980s followed by that in the 1990s up to 2000 is due to an increase in fossil fuel demand, industries, transportation, and energy consumption.
Funder
Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia
Subject
Atmospheric Science,Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
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