PATTERNS OF ANNUAL FLUCTUATION OF DUST CONCENTRATIONS ALONG WITH METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS: A CASE STUDY IN QOM PROVINCE, CENTRAL IRAN

Introduction: Concentration of Particulate Matters were measured for a one-year monitoring period from July 2011 through June 2012 in Qom, a city located in western part of Dasht-e Kavir, central Iran. Materials and Methods: Some related meteorological parameters comprising wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, relative humidity (RH), temperature and sunshine hours were evaluated. Results: PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 maximum values were recorded as 1160.67, 242.92, 90.82 μg/m3, respectively. The maximum number of days with peak concentration of PM was reported from July through November 2012. Obtained results represented that the winds are prevailed from southern and south-eastern sides of Qom with 24.5% and 24% of consequences, respectively. The correlation between PM10 concentration and relative humidity was moderate and indirect (r = - 0.340). Conclusions: The coordination between governmental administrations of central provinces engaged with dust events is suggested to mitigate the health-related impacts using a long term control program.