THE CONTRIBUTION OF LONG-RANGE TRANSPORT OF AIR POLLUTION TO THE SULPHUR BUDGET OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

[摘要] An air chemistry study over the United Arab Emirates revealed a highconcentration of sulphur dioxide. SO2 and its resultant aerosols can have asignificant effect on the atmospheric processes. These aerosols could bothdirectly and indirectly affect the climate by scattering solar radiation andincreasing the albedo of the atmosphere or by altering the cloud formationprocesses and characteristics. Sulphur dioxide and the resultant aerosolsalso have a damaging effect on the environment and on human health.Previous studies reviewed suggest that pollution can be transported forhundreds of kilometres from the source of the emission and affect the airchemistry of the receptor regions. The possibility that long-range transport ofpollution to the UAE may have contributed to these high concentrations wasalso investigated. The possibility that the UAE is a receptor region ofpollution transported over long distances is investigated with the intention ofidentifying the possible source regions of this pollution. In order to examinethe import of pollution to the UAE it was important to analyse the backgroundsulphur concentrations of the atmosphere over the UAE.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand