Characteristics of PM 10 at industrial cities using integrated analytical techniques: Al-Jubail and Ras Tanura case study

Following standard protocols, a comprehensive sampling campaign for particulate matter pollutants at two major industrial cities (Al-Jubail and Ras Tanura) on the East Coast of Saudi Arabia was conducted. Total mass and morphological and mineralogical composition of the fine fractions (PM10) of samples are determined using several complementary systems. These systems include hybrid nephelometric and radiometric technique to monitor particulate mass, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Results show that PM10 mass concentration in Al-Jubail and Ras Tanura is within the KSA national and international standards (24 h mean = 100 ± 20 µg/m3 and 13 days Range = 50–250 µg/m3). Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that particulate observed in Al-Jubailwe are mostly irregular and clustered, while particulate in Ras Tanura are dispersed, with shapes mixed between irregular and spherical. In general, particulate observed in Ras Tanura have a larger size than those found in Al-Jubail. Trace metals and heavy metals were detected in both cities but within allowable range.