Abstract
In this study, we investigated the seasonal variations, chemical composition, sources, and oxidative potential of ambient PM(2.5) (particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 μm) in Kuwait City. The sampling campaign was conducted within the premises of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research from June 2022 to May 2023, covering different seasons throughout the year. The personal cascade impactor sampler (PCIS) operated at flow rate of 9 L/min was employed to collect weekly PM(2.5) samples on PTFE and quarts filters. These collected samples were analyzed for carbonaceous species (i.e., elemental and organic carbon), metals and transition elements, inorganic ions, and DTT (dithiothreitol) redox activity. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) and multi-linear regression (MLR) were used to identify the predominant emission sources and their percentage contribution to the redox activity of PM(2.5) in Kuwait. The results of this study highlighted that the annual-averaged ambient PM(2.5) mass concentrations in Kuwait (59.9 μg/m(3)) substantially exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 10 μg/m(3). Additionally, the summer season displayed the highest PM(2.5) mass concentration (75.2 μg/m(3)) compared to other seasons, primarily due to frequent dust events exacerbated by high-speed winds. The PCA identified four primary PM(2.5) sources: mineral dust, fossil fuel combustion, road traffic, and secondary aerosols. The mineral dust was found to be the predominant source, contributing 36.1% to the PM(2.5) mass, followed by fossil fuel combustion and traffic emissions with contributions of 23.7% and 20.3%, respectively. The findings of MLR revealed that road traffic was the most significant contributor to PM(2.5) oxidative potential, accounting for 47% of the total DTT activity. In conclusion, this comprehensive investigation provides essential insights into the sources and health implications of PM(2.5) in Kuwait, underscoring the critical need for effective air quality management strategies to mitigate the impacts of particulate pollution in the region.