Evaluating the Rate of Atmospheric Dust Deposition in Isfahan Province

Abstract

The present study investigates seasonal and spatial variations in atmospheric dust deposition rate (DDR) and the concentration of dust-borne heavy metals in the eastern part of Isfahan as well as Segzi plain located in the central part of Iran. Dust samples were collected from nine different sites on a monthly basis from December 2016 to September 2017. The total concentrations of Pb and Zn were measured. The lowest value of DDR was observed in the winter due to low amount of precipitation, and the highest value was recorded in the summer. Seasonal distribution of the concentration of dust-borne heavy metals revealed that almost all the metals follow the pattern: fall ˃ spring ˃ summer. Spatial distribution of dust-borne Pb and Zn followed almost the same trend and the highest concentrations were observed in the western parts of the study area. It seems that fossil fuel, vehicle traffic, and industrial activities are the most important anthropogenic factors contributing to dust-borne heavy metals in the study area.