CONCENTRATIONS OF ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS AND SULFUR-DIOXIDE IN THE PERSIAN-GULF URBAN AREA OF IRAN

In three cities (Ahwaz, Bushehr and Shiraz) of the Persian Gulf area in Iran, atmospheric concentrations of chemical components of aerosols less than 2 mum in diameter and sulfur dioxide were measured on June 3-7 in 1991. The concentrations of elemental carbon and particulate organic carbon were 2.5-6.4 and 5.1-14.3 mugC m-3, respectively. Sulfate, nitrate and chloride concentrations were 2.0-6.4, 0.6-1.2 and 0.3-0.9 mugm-3, respectively, and sulfur dioxide concentration ranged from 1.1 to 3.7 ppbv. The atmospheric concentrations of elemental carbon, particulate organic carbon, sulfate and sulfur dioxide in the cities were as high as those in the urban area of Japan.