Dust fallout characteristics in Kuwait: a case study

The sedimentlogical characteristics of the dust fallout deposits were determined at four locations in Subiya area (northern Kuwait City) during May 2002 - April 2003. The total dust fallout in the study area was found to be 332.5 g/m(2)/yr. The average measured dust fallout rates during normal (summer), spring camping and military activities periods were found to be 5.8, 24 and 57.9 g/m(2)/month, respectively. The granulometric. mineralogical, and element characteristics of the dust samples were also investigated. The dust fallout in the study area is predominantly sandy silt and is mostly composed of light minerals (quartz, feldspars, clays and carbonates). The occurrence of sand-size particles is attributed to erosion and land degradation of local surface deposits mainly due to human activities. Major elements of originally soot-contaminated soil and dust samples indicate that a portion of the dust is locally derived and deposited.