Seasonal Behaviour of Gaseous, PM10 and VOCs Pollutants of Tripoli Ambient Air, Libya

This study was conducted to study climatic and air pollution of Tripoli city center, Libya using ambient air quality station; during the period between Jan. to Dec. 2014. Particulate matter, Ozone, Carbon oxides (CO & CO2), Nitrogen oxides (NO & NO2), Sulphur gases (SO2 & H2S) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined using Aeroqual AQM-60 Environmental Station. The objective was to establish baseline levels and to study the behaviour of airborne pollutants from natural as well as anthropogenic origins with temporal variations. Results revealed that the highest recorded level of PM10 was on winter season, 92 μg/m , where the lowest were on autumn, 2.92 μg/m. Summer season showed the lowest concentrations and all readings lay below the national and international proposed limits. The highest readings of Ozone were detected by the end of summer season, 183 μg/m and the lowest (16 μg/m) were on March, the lowest seasonal value was recorded during spring (34.2 μg/m) and winter (71.2 μg/m). Carbon monoxide showed 1180 μg/m during winter, while on summer were 893.9 μg/m. In contrast, carbon dioxide revealed higher concentrations in spring 512.3 mg/m, while the lowest where during autumn 100.1 mg/m3. Nitrogen oxides also revealed lowest reading for (NO) on summer 57 μg/m, while the highest values were detected on autumn (83.4 μg/m) and winter (83.3 μg/m). For NO2 the highest reading was on spring (61 μg/m) and the lowest were on summer (18 μg/m). Sulphur dioxide as well revealed high concentrations on summer (65.7 μg/m) and the lowest were on autumn (40.3 μg/m). VOCs and H2S showed no significant values. Annual climate, health hazards and environmental impacts of above limits concentration of these pollutants were discussed. KeywordsAir pollution, Particulate matter, Gaseous, Organics, Climate, Seasonal.